Council nixes proposed ATV route
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — A request by the Star City ATV Club to open a route between the CP Rail trail along the Parkhurst Siding Road to connect with Fort Fairfield’s trail system, by traveling along the Johnson, Ashby and Ginn roads was rejected by City Council during the Feb. 4 meeting. Councilors cited safety as one of the biggest concerns.
Chris Robinson, owner of Critter Hill Kennel on the Ashby Road, said she was opposed to her road becoming an ATV trail for various reasons.
“I own a business there, have children and we ride horses. I’m concerned about respect of my property. I own several acres on both sides of the road. I have farm animals and small children. I’m worried about excessive traffic, speed and trash,” said Robinson. “I moved to the Ashby Road because it was peaceful. I’d like to keep it that way.”
Ed and Nancy Escobar, who live on the Johnson Road, also were in opposition to their road being used as an ATV route.
“We’re in vehement opposition to the ATV trail to Fort Fairfield. We enjoy peace and quiet at our home. We don’t want to be disturbed and have increased pollution. We know people won’t stay on the trail. We don’t need increased traffic that will lead to increased concerns,” said Ed Escobar. “This will directly affect our personal living space. The city of Presque Isle is supposed to protect us and our wellbeing.”
Dick Howlett, president of the club, said he realized the concerns but said that his club was “just trying to help another club to get from Fort Fairfield to Presque Isle.”
“We’ve tried talking to different farmers. A lot of it is seed potatoes out there. I understand Fort Fairfield already has permission to the town line with Presque Isle. ATVs don’t necessarily run the road; Fort lets them run on the edge,” said Howlett.
“We’re asking to run the 3.2 miles down the Ginn, Ashby and Johnson roads to the CP trail,” said Howlett, noting his club has dealt with the various concerns, including trash, for years. “We help the Forest Service every year with cleanup, teach safety courses each year.”
Howlett said there’d “always be renegades who do what they want,” but that club members are traditionally more respectful of property owners. He said opening a route with Fort Fairfield would benefit the communities of Presque Isle and Caribou, since it would create looping access to both communities. Currently the only route open to Fort ATV riders is to travel to Easton, and from there to Presque Isle. He said it’s not only boring to ride the same route all the time but also makes for a longer ride. Opening a new route would shorten the distance and provide more variety to riders.
“If it doesn’t pass tonight, you’ll still have ATVs on your property. Some won’t go all the way to Easton to get to Presque Isle. They’ll take the shortest route,” said Howlett.
Councilors suggested Howlett continue talks with other landowners to see if perhaps a route can be set up elsewhere. Councilors voted unanimously to decline the request, with Council Chair Emily Smith noting the club “can go back to work and try to find a better solution.”
In other business, councilors:
• Amended Chapter 16 — Land Use and Development Code Section XXII — Residential Office Zone (ROZ) — (B) Permitted Uses and (D) Standards, and to rezone portions of Academy Street from Suburban Resident Zone (SRZ) to Residential Office Zone (ROZ);
• Approved special permits for music, dancing and entertainment for: Presque Isle Elks Lodge 1954, 508 Main St.; ARAMARK Educational Services, LLC, 181 Main St.; and PieNana, Inc. d/b/a Irish Setter Pub, 710 Main St.;
• Approved a malt liquor license for Capital Pizza Huts, Inc. d/b/a Pizza Hut, 814 Main St.;
• Approved a malt, spirituous and vinous liquor license for: ARAMARK Educational Services, LLC, 181 Main St.; and PieNana, Inc. d/b/a Irish Setter Pub, 710 Main St.;
• Approved Consent Agenda items;
• Continued discussion on approval of a nude entertainment license for the Presque Isle Inn & Convention Center, with City Manager Jim Bennett reviewing proposed changes to Chapter 52, Ordinance Regulating Commercial Displays of Nudity. Bennett said he’d continue to work on the ordinance and bring it back before Council at a later date;
• Discussed an agreement between the city of Presque Isle and The Crow’s Nest Restaurant & Event Center, LLC with regard to a financial matter;
• Appointed Eugene Cronin IV to the Presque Isle Sewer District Board;
• Considered three options for the repayment of funds borrowed to demolish Cunningham Middle School and clean up the site. The original figure of $221,450 less money from the property’s recent sale of $75,305 leaves an outstanding balance due the Presque Isle Development Fund of $146,145. The city has three options, according to Bennett: Do nothing (which would result in only taxes paid on the site being used to pay on the loan), begin paying on the loan (which Bennett said would need to be built into the 2014 budget) or write off the debt (since the city basically loaned itself money for cleanup). Councilors, citing the new owners’ plans to eventually develop the site, which would in turn result in increased tax value and more taxes paid, chose the first option and will do nothing on the matter at this time;
• Appointed Nathan Grass and James Quinn to four-year terms on the Airport Advisory Board, term to expire Dec. 31, 2016, with one vacancy remaining;
• Appointed Curt Paterson to a one-year term on the Audit Committee, term to expire Dec. 31, 2013;
• Appointed Stewart Libby, Jeffrey Pangburn and James Park to three-year terms on the Board of Assessment Review, term to expire Dec. 31, 2015, with no applicant for one-year term as alternate;
• Appointed Patty LeBlanc and Scott Violette to four-year terms with the Downtown Revitalization Committee, term to expire Dec. 31, 2016;
• Tabled filling three seats on the Library Committee until applicants could be interviewed;
• Appointed Karin Petrin to a four-year term on the Planning Board, term to expire Dec. 31, 2016, with discussion of filling a second seat on the board tabled to a later date;
• Appointed Michael Cyr, Floyd Rockholt and Bruce Roope to three-year terms on the Presque Isle Development Fund Board of Trustees, term to expire Dec. 31, 2015;
• Appointed Michael Chasse to the Rec & Parks Advisory Board to fill AJ Clukey’s unexpired term through Dec. 31, 2014;
• Appointed AJ Clukey to a four-year term to the Rec & Parks Advisory Board as the Northern Maine Fair Association representative, term to expire Dec. 31, 2016;
• Appointed Pam Palm, David Perry and Larry Perry to three-year terms to the Zoning Board of Appeals, term to expire Dec. 31, 2015, with Hank King named as alternate;
• Bennett provided an update on the status of a letter to legislators regarding the state budget, with councilors authorize the letter be sent subject to changes;
• Appointed Ward Gerow to a three-year term on the Presque Isle Sewer District Board of Trustees, term to expire in March 2016; and
• Amended the city manager’s and deputy city manager’s contracts, extending both for a one-year period, as presented.
In the manager’s report, Bennett asked councilors what day would be best for their annual goal-setting retreat, with Monday, Feb. 25, tentatively being selected, with a freedom of information meeting taking place first, followed by the retreat. The location has yet to be decided.
Council’s next regularly scheduled meeting will be on Monday, March 4, at 6 p.m. at City Hall. The public is welcome and encouraged to participate. For more information, call 760-2785 or visit www.presqueisle.govoffice2.com.
