No Off-Highway Vehicles On Town Property

Snowmobiles, ATVs and even mountain bicycles are among the vehicles now forbidden to be used on town-owned land.

The Board of Selectmen approved the ordinance this week, which would impose fines of up to $1,000 to those who operate OHRVs on town property. The town could also seek restitution for the repair of any damage caused by these vehicles on the property.

This applies to recreational areas, conservation areas and town sports fields.

The ordinance was originally proposed by the Amherst Conservation Commission, who were concerned about noise and destruction to the wilderness.

Commission chairman John Harvey told the board in September that even mountain bikes can be destructive to unprepared trails.

Other reasons cited in the ordinance include absolving the town from any liability for injuries sustained on the property, reducing the risk of fire and encouraging wildlife to inhabit the town’s major conservation areas.

Snowmobiles are still permitted on parts of Upper Bragdon Hill, Patch Hill Trail, B&M Trail and Grater Road. Bicycles are permitted on Haseltine Community Preserve, Bicentennial Trail, Hemlock Trail in Joe English, part of Hammond Brook Trail and B&M Trail.

Enforcement of this ordinance has been a concern amongst board members, but the measure gives some power to those with issues, including noise and property destruction. Police could only make requests to vehicle operators prior to the ordinance.

“Without an ordinance, the only thing they can do is ask the people to stop, but there is no teeth behind it,” said selectman Dwight Brew in August.

Amherst Police Chief Peter Lyon  said his department will do its best to deal with violations. He said that his department will be able to identify perpetrators with help from the public, including conservation commission members and others in the community who use the property.