By GLYNIS HART
[email protected]
CLAREMONT – The Sullivan County ATV Club asked city council for permission to use designated Class VI roads for recreational riding for ATVs, UTVs, and trail bikes for the next two years.
The club usually requests permission for one year, but last year suggested going for two. The club uses the land at no charge, but also agrees to maintain, sign, and mark the designated Class VI roads and city-owned properties covered by the agreement.
Scott Little of Sullivan County ATV Club brought the request to Wednesday’s city council meeting. He noted the trails aren’t open until May 23, and the club members keep an eye on the condition of the trails and don’t use them if the ground is too soft.
The following city-owned properties are used by the club: Veteran’s Park Road to Cat Hole Road, Cat Hole Road, Arrowhead Mountain Trails, the Burger King Trail and a Cat Hole Road property. Class VI roads used by the club: Cornish Turnpike (formerly Corbin Park), Bible Hill Road Extension, Pappas, Veteran’s Park (Green Mountain), Fitch Reservoir, Strand, Burrough, unnamed (Old Unity Road), White Water Reservoir, Fontaine, Cat Hole, Ladeau, Case Hill (East Mountain), Alden, Spring Farm, Meadow, Paddy Hollow, Old Coach (Redwater Brook), Roberts Hill.
The city council approved the 2-year permission.
Little also requested permission to conduct three sunset rides and said they’d let the police and N.H. Fish and Game know the time and date.
Police Chief Mark Chase was asked to give his opinion before the council decided.
“I don’t have any issue with it,” said Chase. “Any problems we have on the trails, it’s not members of the club. The club is responsive and responsible.”
Chase said the club should notify residents of Cat Hole Road and make sure the sunset rides are okay with them.
Terry Lambert, club secretary, said they do this anyway, and that they had already spoken to the landowners at their Landowner Appreciation dinner.
Because it was a new agenda item, the sunset rides request was moved to the May 8 meeting agenda.
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