Vance Johnson of QUAD NB
QUAD NB, the association that represents 59 ATV clubs in the province, is seeking the town’s support for all-terrain vehicle access to three residential streets in Sackville so that club members could ride legally to the parking lot at The Painted Pony Bar & Grill on Bridge Street.
During a presentation to Tantramar Council on Tuesday, Vance Johnson trail co-ordinator with QUAD NB, proposed that ATVs be allowed to operate for 200 metres on Squire Street, 100 metres on Princess and 500 metres on Weldon.
Riders would gain access to those streets from the existing ATV trail that runs beside the TransCanada highway.
Noting that ATV riders can already ride legally on Mallard Drive and Wright Street in the highway commercial zone, Johnson drew a distinction between those who come to Sackville for gatherings and events and those who come as tourists.
“They just want to stay, gas up, get their food, fill their belly and away they go,” he said referring to traditional riders who stop at the fast food restaurants, gas stations, liquor and grocery stores on Wright and Mallard.
“The tourists are on their own agenda,” he said. “So. bring them into the downtown. They want to go shopping.”
Councillor Josh Goguen
When Councillor Josh Goguen expressed concerns about ATV traffic volumes and noise on Squire, Princess and Weldon, Johnson replied that ATVs are required to have mufflers that do not typically violate municipal noise bylaws.
“We’re not opening any floodgates here by any means,” he said of the traffic volumes. “You won’t see them, large groups, huge groups, like at an event, for instance. They won’t be coming here by the hundreds.”
Johnson said ATV clubs prefer to avoid residential areas, adding that his proposal is only a draft and there may be better alternatives.
He noted that in May, the provincial department of transportation and infrastructure (DTI) had rejected an earlier proposal to allow ATVs to travel to the downtown core via Main and Bridge Streets because traffic volumes are already high on those roads.
Johnson presented council with two maps showing that QUAD NB is also requesting access to roads on the outskirts of Sackville including 500 metres on Station Road, 6.4 kilometres on Mount View and 600 metres on Walker Road as well as greater access to Dorchester via Lower Walker Road, Woodlawn, Lower Fairfield and Cherry Burton.
To view those maps, click here.
Mayor Andrew Black
Mayor Andrew Black suggested that ATV access to Mallard Drive and Wright Street hasn’t caused problems for residents there.
“I haven’t personally heard of anybody who lives in that area being concerned or voicing concern over noise levels or even the amount of ATVs,” he said.
“So we do have a bylaw in the books already that seems to be working very well.”
On behalf of QUAD NB, Johnson asked council for a general letter of support, so that his organization can move forward with applications to provincial officials in public safety, DTI and the department of natural resources.
He also emphasized that his current proposals for access to town roads and streets are only preliminary.
“So we would be working with council or somebody within the municipality to come up with that final draft,” he said before submitting it for provincial approval.
“Johnson replied that ATVs are required to have mufflers that do not typically violate municipal noise bylaws.”
Does Tantramar have noise bylaws banning loud vehicles? If we do, the bylaws are not enforced. Every day I hear VERY LOUD cars, trucks, motorcycles, and sometimes ATVs that make much more noise than is reasonable or necessary.
I enjoy seeing these ATV people out enjoying themselves.. its one of the things I do love about living here… the noise is never that bad compared to living in a city full of honking, noise and sirens. Count quality of life improved if folks here are able to enjoy their lives by riding ATVs out on trails and where necessary cutting through towns.. its a great sport for those lucky enough to afford the machines to play on. I’m all for that as a libertarian! Live and let live [and play]. One evening out walking my dog a long convoy of these riders came through town near the swan pond.. there must have been about 15-20 vehicles in a convoy.. and it just made me smile because I knew they were all out enjoying themselves.. I love that about New Brunswickers.
Actually, The Town of Sackville Bylaw states —
“Prohibited Acts 3(1) 3(2): No person shall make or cause, or permit to be made or caused, on property which is owned or leased by him a noise which is likely to cause a public nuisance or otherwise disturb inhabitants of the Town. Without restricting the generality of subsection 3(1), any noise or sound of such volume or nature as to cause annoyance including shouting, singing, whistling, music, motor vehicles (including motor cycles and motor bikes), snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, vehicles of business and trade, construction equipment and machinery and animal noises shall be deemed to be noises likely to cause a public nuisance or otherwise disturb inhabitants of the Town. “
I didn’t watch the council discussion but was Mayor Black serious when he made the comment about having received no complaints from Mallard drive and Wright street residents? What residents? It’s mostly businesses in that area with maybe two private residences adjacent… not akin to what is being discussed here.