Town of Cranberry Isles
ATV / Small Vehicle Use
Public Hearing
15 June 2006
Great Cranberry Island Community Center
In Attendance:
| Phil Whitney, BOS Chair | Sally Rowan |
Mike Westphal |
| Daniel Lief, BOS | Karin Whitney |
Jennifer Westphal |
| Nanette Hadlock, Deputy Clerk |
Hal Newell |
Barbara Stainton |
| Richard Howland, Constable |
Debbie Wedge |
Chris White |
| Roy Hadlock | Janice Murch |
Mark Alley |
| Iann Krasnow |
Ruth Westphal |
Micheal Macfarlan |
| Georgina Ware |
Renna Colby |
Harry Beers |
| Cyrus Moulton |
|
|
Call to Order: 4:04 P.M. by Chairman Phil Whitney
The purpose of this hearing was to discuss ATV and other small vehicle use and guidelines on Islesford and Great Cranberry.
On March 13, 2006, the Board of Selectmen signed a Proclamation for Golf Carts and Low Speed Vehicles. This proclamation was written to encourage the use of lower impact and cleaner vehicle use on our Islands. Further research on this subject has brought to the Board's attention a number of issues which make the proclamation void. The Board is willing to rescind the proclamation, and wishes to hear public opinion on the use of ATVS, golf carts, mules and other small off-road vehicles.
- Golf carts may be registered for use on Island Roads through the Secretary of State
-Title 29A, section 501, subsection 2A
- ATVs and other off-road vehicles, (such as mules and gators) are registered through the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
- Insurance is not mandatory in order to register ATVs and other off-road vehicles.
- In order to make ATV use legal on our public ways, there are certain requirements such as properly posting the roads for ATV use, and a speed limit factor, (no greater than 25 miles per hour).
- The Board of Selectmen have jurisdiction to set traffic ordinances for our public ways.
- One issue the Board is legally required to include in a traffic ordinance such as this, is the fact that all operators must possess a valid driving license in any class.
- Another issue is the fact that all motorized vehicles operated on our public ways must be properly registered and insured.
- Golf cart and off road vehicles may not be insured for liability, which is undesirable on our public ways from a safety point of view.
Many residents who attended voiced their support for keeping Island life the way it is, and not getting too crazy with enforcement. Some of those in attendance told stories of growing up at Cranberry Isles, and learning to drive various vehicles here.
- Of concern to the Selectmen and some others in the audience is the operation of any vehicle by underage, non-licensed drivers.
- Except as provided in subsection 6, a person may not permit a child under 10 years of age to operate an ATV.
Subsection 6: Exceptions for certain property.
A. The land on which the operator is domiciled.
B. Land owned or leased by the operator's parent or guardian; or
C. A safety training site approved by the department.
- Except as provided in subsection 6, a person 10 years of age or older but under 16 years of age may not operate an ATV unless that person has successfully completed a training course approved by the department pursuant to section 13152 and is accompanied by and adult.
-State of Maine All Terrain Vehicles 2006 Laws & Rules
- One downfall of this set of rules is that operation of ATVs and golf carts is in some instances by elderly residents and people who need transportation to work, who do not hold a valid driver's license
- The licensing rule is not something that can be legally changed.
Two letters were presented for the record from residents who feel that use of automobile alternative vehicles should be encouraged. The general consensus of those residents who attended the hearing was that the current proclamation should be rescinded, and small vehicle use/ATV use is encouraged and wanted.Adjournment: 4:55 P.M.
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