HOULTON – Town officials are hoping that a new proposal will fashion a happy medium between ATV enthusiasts and some local residents.

Town Manager Doug Hazlett said Wednesday that the committee formed to examine the issue has come “as close to a total consensus” as possible about a solution.

Earlier this year ATV enthusiasts requested that officials open up more access routes in town so that riders could navigate lawfully around more municipal streets.

There are several ATV trails on the outskirts of town, and sometimes operators must ride a short distance on public roads to reach a trail. Under state law, a registered ATV may not exceed a distance of 300 yards traveling on a public way.

This means riders sometimes cannot get from their homes to nearby trails legally, nor can they always legally reach local restaurants and gas stations by ATV.

Residents showed up in force in June to speak for and against the access routes, prompting town councilors to table a decision until a group could be formed to help better understand the points involved.

Hazlett said that the town will not designate streets, but will work to impose mandates on riders who are operating within the municipality.

“The group has basically come up with a proposal that involves us wanting to impose a 10 mile-per-hour speed limit, with no riding allowed between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.,” he explained Wednesday. “In order to keep the noise down, ATVs can only have factory authorized mufflers and they [enthusiasts] will be permitted to ride from May 15 to Nov. 15.”

The proposal is now in the hands of town Attorney Dan Nelson, who will make certain that Houlton can legally enforce the edict.

Hazlett acknowledged that some people would like to see the matter go before voters as a referendum question.

Town Clerk Cathy O’Leary said Wednesday that it is too late to put the question on the ballot this November. A special election could be held, but at a cost to the town.

The manager said he knows that the new proposal will not please everyone.

“This is a very emotional issue for a lot of people,” he said. “I don’t know if it will fly or not. But our first step is to make sure it is legal, and then the council will decide if they want to do it.”