Milo police chief threatens to ban ATV riders from using roads

Milo’s police chief threatened Monday to close the town to any all-terrain vehicle access after disruptive behavior by riders caused a private landowner to revoke permission to use his property.

The Ramsdell Ridge Road all-terrain vehicle trail in Milo is closed because of riders who are misusing the stretch and being disrespectful to landowners, according to the local ATV club.

The K.I. Riders ATV Club, which maintains the Milo area trails, posted a notice on its Facebook page last week, saying there were issues with riders on the private end of the Ramsdale Ridge Road. The club pointed out that half of the road is owned by the town and the other half is private.

Ninety-five percent of the state’s trails are on private property and access is allowed through agreements between clubs and landowners.

“There is no reason whatsoever to mouth off, drive fast or spin up this road. The people that live should be able to walk on their road without having issues with riders. If asked to slow down, slow down be respectful,” the club’s Facebook page posted on July 21.

The club posted the message from the property owner who closed the road saying they have a right to live at their home without intimidation from a few people who have wrecked it for everyone.

The town has allowed ATVs on some public roads since last year.

Milo Police Chief Nicholas Clukey issued a public notice scolding the violators and outlining what behavior is expected from ATVers, including staying in the lane of travel, no speeding, respecting the town, landowners and other riders.

“If the nonsense continues on our roadways and trails where ATVs have access, we will lose more and possibly shut the town off to ATVs altogether,” he wrote.

He pointed out how beneficial the open roads have been to area businesses and what a loss it would be for access to be revoked for all riders.

He said there wouldn’t be any warnings and violators would be charged, singling out dirt bike riders he said have been wreaking havoc and running from police.

“This isn’t a challenge request. I am just being very clear publicly that if we catch you, we will bring the full weight of the law available to bear, including taking your bikes,” Clukey said in the letter.