We encourage you to read the ordinance yourself so you can better understand the concerns outlined below:
Safety experts warn: it is not safe to ride ATVs on public roads!
ATVs are designed, manufactured and sold for off-road use only.
The SVIA (Specialty Vehicle Institute of America) and the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) warn that ATVs are NOT safe for use on public roads.
Increased ATV traffic on roads will cause new problems
Pownal will become a destination for riders from other towns and states, flooding our roads with ATVs.
More riders will increase the strain on law enforcement, which is already unable to respond to ATV misuse complaints.
Increased noise will interfere with citizens' rights to the quiet enjoyment of their property.
There’s no need to open nearly all Pownal roads to ATVs
There is only one public VASA (Vermont ATV Sportsman’s Association) trail in Pownal. Why open nearly all town roads to access one trailhead?
We deserve a better ATV ordinance; Vote YES on Oct 13th!
We need broad public input to create an ATV ordinance focused on off-road trail access, safety, and a clear plan for regulation and enforcement.
We need an ordinance focused on public safety, that requires ATVs to be transported to trailheads, and creates parking areas for trucks and ATV trailers.
Vote early in person:
Town Office
467 Center Street
Sunday, October 11, 2020
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Vote by absentee ballot:
To obtain an absentee ballot,
please call the Town Clerk at:
(802) 823-0116, Ext 101
Or pick one up at the Town Office
467 Center Street
Tuesdays, Wednesday and Thursdays
9:00 am - 4:30 pm
We are your neighbors
and fellow residents of Pownal.
We are concerned about the rising level of ATV violations and intrusions, the lack of effective enforcement, and the haste by which the Select Board enacted a new ordinance that will allow ATVs on every town road.
Our mission
We respect and value safe and responsible off-road trail use.
We oppose the Pownal Select Board opening all town roads to ATV travel between residences instead of the current acceptable use of trailers for this purpose.
We advocate for proper enforcement now, and limited, if any, expansion of ATV-permitted roads until determined by an independent and diverse citizen Task Force.
We request opportunities to have meaningful public input which should include law enforcement, but only after we are free of the burden of the pandemic.
We support a town-wide vote on any such ordinance.