KINGFIELD — Kingfield will hold a special Town Meeting tentatively set for Jan. 24 to review the proposed All Terrain Vehicle Access Route through town, pursue single sort recycling, and raise money to pay for the regular Sugarloaf Shuttle Service through the winter months.

While the Special Town Meeting had been tentatively set for Monday, Jan. 17, the date had to be moved because it is Martin Luther King Day. Due to the dissention surrounding the ATV access route, it is expected a large number of people will attend, and the meeting will be held at 6 p.m. at the Kingfield Elementary School Gym. Over 100 packed into Webster Hall for the ATV public hearing last month.

ATV access route

Article 2 requests permission for the town to allow ATVs to use a designated trail on the town owned fields. At the Dec. 7 board of selectmen’s meeting, Administrative Assistant Douglas Marble pointed out the ATVs would not be allowed to pass over the sewer lines, but would be confined to the gravel roads and the field perimeter close to the river and the trees. The Kingfield Quad Runners would be required to maintain the trails. ATV Quad Runners asked the town let them know if there were any complaints so they could address them.

Article 3 requests the town to vote to allow ATVs to use routes 27 and 142 (Depot Street) as an ATV access route to connect “the existing ATV club trail system.”

Marble pointed out the Maine Department of Transportation has found no safety reasons or excessive speed limits that would warrant denying the access route. However, Marble said the DOT is requiring town approval and endorsement.

With town approval, five ATV access route rules will be required and posted to maintain the route safely: maximum speed of 25 mph, designated ATV parking away from vehicular traffic; route only open from May 15 to Nov. 25; route closed one half hour after sunrise and one half hour before sunset; and ATV officers and law enforcement must have contact information readily available in the event of problems. MDOT can revoke access at any time, if needed.

The Kingfield Quad Runners had approached the town for permission to have an access route from the North East Wire Products (the old Winters Mill) to Depot Street, onto Route 27, and south to the town wastewater fields. According to proponents, this would allow the ATVs to go through downtown Kingfield and promote economic growth in the town.

The High Peaks Alliance, an organization created to preserve the high peaks (over 4,000 feet) for motorized and non-motorized recreational use and spur economic growth in Northern Franklin County, approached seven All Terrain Vehicle Clubs in northern Franklin County about combining their trails and forming a “Moose Loop Trail,” connecting Strong, Phillips, Salem, Kingfield, Carrabassett Valley, Stratton and Rangeley. Kingfield is the only town that does not have downtown access that would benefit economically from the trail.

Single sort recycling

Single sort recycling would allow people to recycle numbers one through seven plastics and not have to separate recyclable materials into separate containers. Eco- Maine, of Portland, had previously given Marble an estimate of approximately $30,000 for the compactor, and another $20,000 to $30,000 for two 40-yard roll off containers and installation costs.

Article 6 requests the town to enter into such an agreement with a single sort solid waste company. Article 7 seeks to appropriate the necessary funds with a request for the town to appropriate $50,000 from the general fund to lend to the Kingfield-New Portland Transfer Station at a five percent annual interest rate for six months. And Article 5 seeks to amend the Kingfield Transfer Station solid Waste and Recycling Ordinance –- 1996 and change it to Kingfield-New Portland Transfer Station Solid Waste and Recycling Ordinance, and clarify references to reflect both communities’ involvement.

After the $30,000 compactor is paid off in three years, there would be additional savings, Marble has previously stated.

Kingfield Wastewater

Article 4 deals with appropriating $32,500 to pay off the Kingfield Wastewater indebtedness. Selectman Chair Heather Moody questioned whether this should wait until the Annual Town Meeting, but Mervin Wilson said if the town is paying five percent interest and getting two percent in the bank, it doesn’t make any sense to wait.

Sugarloaf Shuttle Service

Selectmen decided to place a request to raise an additional $1,200 for the Sugarloaf Explorer Shuttle Bus to cover the regular run. Poland Spring has donated $1,000 towards the regular shuttle run, which leaves the Herbert at 7:40 a.m. and returns to the Herbert at 4:30 p.m., for a total cost of $2,468. The Kingfield Recreation Department had not allocated any funds to the shuttle this year.

Moody pointed out there may be options on the night shuttle, which would cost $1,200. However, it was noted a decision on the regular shuttle would be needed before the end of the month. It was agreed to use Poland Spring’s donation to cover the shuttle bus cost incurred prior to the special town meeting. It was also agreed the shuttle should go before through the budget process and before voters at the regular town meeting. However, it was inadvertently omitted this year.

Village Enhancement Committee

The Village Enhancement Committee will also be putting on a presentation about its findings to help voters understand the VEC’s requests to use Tax Incentive Financing funds for infrastructure and beautification improvements and economic development. VEC is also going to work with the ATV Quad Runners to draft visual parking and route plans for the special town meeting.

The Special Town Meeting will be held Monday, Jan. 24 (tentative), 6 p.m. at the Kingfield Elementary School gym.