Barnet ATV Vote Passes

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Created on Thursday, 15 November 2012 18:09

Written by Peter Lipomi

BARNET - 344 votes were counted in Barnet on November 14th to decide on retaining the 2010 town ordinance that allows ATV's to travel on public roads. 

The counts totaled, 215 yes to 129 no.

The vote was a result of a petition that called for the towns registered voters to make a decision. Much of the emphasis was on maintaining what the town has been doing for years. This poses a major concern to the NEK Adventure ATV Tours and it's owner, Philip Brown.

"A large quantity of their trails are roads, if you can't ride on the roads, you can't get from one trail to the next," said Brown.

The reason for changing the ordinance varies for those that voted no. Eric Brinkerhoff, one of the people who proposed the change in the ordinance, took the stance on maintaining the peace and quiet the Northeast Kingdom offers. 

"Most of us that live here, moved here for some quiet... we use it to write or to read. We bought these homes in order to use them in a leisurely way," said Brinkerhoff.

Others brought up the issue that the ATV's traveling on the roads was becoming unsafe. It was quickly counter argued that it "did not matter". After an hour of deliberation, the only thing that could settle the argument was the vote.

The town will continue to allow ATV's on public roads, and when asked if he would make another proposal, Brinkerhoff said no.