Sangerville to look at ATV access through town

SANGERVILLE — Some roads in Sangerville could be connected to existing ATV routes to bring people in and spur some economic development.

Exactly which roads are opened up to ATVs is to be determined. This is scheduled to be the topic of a meeting on Tuesday, June 24 at the fire station with area ATV clubs invited — time to be announced.

A way to connect trails in Dexter, Dover-Foxcroft and Parkman through Sangerville is being sought, Bruce Bellace of the Parkman Prowlers ATV club said during a June 11 meeting of the Sangerville Select Board.

Goff Road and Frenchs Mill Road were mentioned as possibilities for ATV access with each coming out on Route 23 in the middle of town. Being a state road, Route 23 would need to be OKed by the state for ATV traffic. Town officials can approve municipal travelways.

The owners of Two Knights Brewing Company on the McPhetres Road have said their business would benefit from greater ATV access, Town Manager Brian Mullis said.

He invited other ATV clubs to the June 24 meeting, which the town manager will facilitate. A Sangerville ATV club is looking to get started back up and this organization has been extended an invitation. 

“We can kind of have a brainstorming session to see how we can kind of help get the ATV trails,” Mullis said.

“I honestly believe that some ATV access to town, improving that, is going to be a potential economic development tool for us,” the town manager said. “It’s going to help Two Knights but it also has the potential to maybe attract some more business.”

Earlier in the month a visitor from southern Massachusetts stopped by the town office and mentioned he has no place to ride down there near his home close to the Rhode Island state line.

“People that have ATVs, they have to come to Maine or New Hampshire, Vermont, New York to ride,” Mullis said. “If they are going to come to Maine to spend money there is no reason not to spend it in Sangerville.”

Having ATV access routes in Sangerville will be advantageous for related grant applications, Mullis said.

In other business, town officials are looking to finalize an insurance policy that would enable volunteers to assist on the town hall renovation project. 

Mullis checked in with the Maine Municipal Association, which provides insurance for Sangerville, and was told the association will not cover those who do not draw a paycheck from the town. Instead, Mullis was referred to The Hartford for a policy and a document has been provided.

The policy for $771 annually is good through June 1, 2026 and covers up to 18 people.  

In theory volunteer labor would provide well over $700 worth, Select Chair Jeff Peters said, saying he would like a little more information from The Hartford to be sure exactly who is covered and under what circumstances.

“It was made very clear to us that we are not insured to have people in that building,” Peters said. “We want to have the volunteer help, we want to have everybody involved so we need to figure out a way through that.”

Mullis will follow up and make sure everything needed is in writing.

Plans are to repair the town hall, and get the municipal offices back there by 2027.

Previous discussions wondered about insurance coverage by the town’s workman’s compensation policy, which applies to those who receive a paycheck from Sangerville. Town hall committee members serve voluntarily and therefore are not covered by insurance. Many have experience that could aid in the project.

The select board approved a bid of $26,200 from ProSeal LLC of Waterville for paving just over a tenth of a mile of Maple Street. ProSeal LLC had the lowest of two bids meeting the specifications, another did not fully meet the criteria.

The select board approved the bid, pending Mullis doublechecking to see that everything, including sweeping and traffic control, is included.

No bids came in on a three-year contract for snowplowing. 

This work will be put out to bid again at either one year or three to see if this draws more interest, Mullis said. Advertising in the Bangor Daily News may also reach more interested contractors.

The deadline is scheduled to be Tuesday, July 15 with the select board reviewing the next night during its second regular meeting of the month.