Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE – The Star City ATV Club is looking for a place to call home after learning their Park and Ride next to the Aroostook River isn’t a suitable site for building.
“We’d hoped to build at the Park & Ride but now there won’t be one (a clubhouse),” said Dick Howlett, club president. Howlett said following recent talks with Nick Archer, of the DEP, and officials with Daigle Oil Company, the business that formerly owned the property and donated to the club for use as a park-and-ride facility, it was determined building isn’t an option. When the land was turned over to the club, the deed included a clause limiting development.
“If we start digging and discover pollutants, they’re (Daigle) responsible as the former owner,” said Howlett.
“There’s a deed restriction through Daigle,” said Archer, adding there were a lot of issues to address, including proximity to the Aroostook River. “DEP guidelines limit how close to a body of water a party can build.”
In most cases, unless a structure already exists and is grandfathered into the project, development has to be at least 100 feet away from the water.
Also at issue were the digging for a well and septic system.
“Digging for a well and/or septic system could stir up whatever’s in the ground, if there is anything there,” said Jerry McAvaddy, the city’s code enforcement officer. “Various issues will keep the club from building at the site along the river.”
Although one dream has come to an end, club members haven’t given up home for building a clubhouse. This time, however, they’re turning to the public and city officials to help them locate a site that will meet the club’s needs. SCATV will continue to use the Park & Ride for various functions, regardless where their new home is built.
“Our work (at the Park & Ride) hasn’t been a waste. We’ll still have a lot of use for it,” said Howlett.
At a club meeting this summer, members discussed the possibility of joining forces with the Easton club, building a facility both clubs would share the use of and expenses for, with the proposed structure being erected somewhere in Easton. The SCATV Club is also continuing to look at options closer to home.
“Sharing a clubhouse with another club has its advantages. Construction and operational costs could be shared. Then there’s the question of what happens if there’s a falling out between clubs. There’s a lot to consider” if the SCATV were to go that route, said Bob Good, director of public relations for the SCATV.
“It’s just an idea,” added Howlett.
Good said joining Easton on such a project may never occur if a better option comes about.
“It (building with Easton) may never happen. We might have a parcel donated before anything happens,” said Good.
Howlett asked club members to keep their eyes and ears open for any land prospects.
“If anyone knows of a piece of land, let us know. The biggest thing is a site with good ATV access. Sure, we could find something anywhere. But we need to be able to have access (to trails),” said Howlett.
“We also need road access,” for club functions and accessibility by vehicle, added Carl Wilcox, a member of the club’s Board of Directors.
Since the club first discussed the need of a new site for a clubhouse, club officials have been talking with city officials to see if the city might have property available. Scott Wardwell, manager of the Northern Maine Regional Airport, said he’s spoken with the club and has a possible option.
“The club had some ideas where they’d like to locate. I also had some ideas where they might locate a clubhouse. We’ve been discussing a spot down near the Presque Isle Stream,” said Wardwell.
Wardwell said although the site is considered airport property, it is sufficiently far enough from the end of the runway to be of possible use to the club.
“We like the spot because it does kind of separate the spot from the runway. It seems to work good for both of us. We just need to see how much land we have in that location and basically see if it kind of meets the needs of the club,” said Wardwell.
The property is located on the Chapman Road side of the Presque Isle Stream in Presque Isle.
“Basically where we’re looking is on the other side of the Presque Isle Stream from the airport. The airport owns some property on that side. It’s a little closer to town, just off the Chapman Road,” said Wardwell. Howlett can be reached at 764-0805, Welch at 760-9219 or Good at 764-1954.
While that is one possibility, nothing has been finalized on the matter. The club continues to look for an affordable parcel to call home.
“We’re requesting suggestions for sites. We’re interested in hearing from the public,” said Gary Welch, vice president of the SCATV. “And if any property owners have something for sale they think might work, let us know.”
For more information on the SCATV or to contact club members regarding the search for property suitable for clubhouse, visit www.starcityatv.com.
