Over 70 people attended a public hearing in the Shead gym during which the pros and cons of allowing an ATV route into Eastport, with the use of city streets, were debated in a mostly respectful manner. Following the hearing, which lasted a little over an hour, the council decided in a split vote to not take up the proposal later, essentially ending the issue for now. A similar proposal brought forward in 2017 also had been turned down.
     The debate centered on issues such as noise, safety, quality of life, perceptions about ATV riders and the economic impact they would have. The city had received many comments about the proposal, including a petition with over 90 signatures opposing the plan.
     Those opposing the proposal feared it would drive away visitors to the city, with B&B owner Greg Noyes stating, "I'm not sure having ATVs on the streets will be a good thing for visitors," adding that he is "not sure we can afford to lose that revenue source."
     Planning board chair Michael Morse noted that allowing ATVs in the city would be contrary to the city's comprehensive plan.
     "Eastport is not the place for ATVs at all," stated Patrick Mehr. "This is a quality of life issue, not a pocketbook issue. You cannot buy peace of mind. When it's gone, it's gone."
     However, Susan McPhail of Pembroke said that ATV riders would bring in revenue to Eastport by staying at the different lodging establishments, eating at restaurants and attending festivities. "We intend to enjoy your town and make it better."
     A member of the Dennysville Snowmobile and ATV Club, Bonita Jones of Pembroke, noted that people come from "all over the country" to ride ATVs in the area. The club conducts fundraisers for people in need and holds activities for youth. She added, "A lot of ATVs are really quiet. These are not mudrunners." At present, club members have to send those who are visiting the area on their ATVs and want a place to stay to Calais. "You're missing out," she said.
     Tony Newcomb of Eastport said he had concerns about where ATVs would cross roads coming into the city. With the previous route proposal, the council also had issues with two potentially dangerous spots, where Route 190 and Toll Bridge Road intersect and near the Welcome to Eastport garden on Route 190.
     Paul Theriault said that ATVs have "gotten a bad rap" and that most of the riders "are very responsible" and use side-by-sides that are "family vehicles." He said he was told by someone opposed to the proposal that "we don't want those marauders in town. I said, 'I'm not a marauder. I'm responsible.'"
     Walter Cummings, who initiated the proposal, commented that towns farther north "are filled with ATVs," with the riders spending money in the towns. The city could limit the ATVs to certain streets and hours and could ban 4-wheelers, he noted. Also, the Maine Department of Transportation would need to approve the plan. As for noise, he said that ATVs have to pass manufacturer's decibel levels. If ATVs are allowed in the city and then it doesn't work out, the city could "shut it down." He added, "ATV riders are a fantastic group of people. It's not a Hells Angels."
     Reid Kozloski agreed, saying that ATV riders obey the rules of the road and can't go faster than 30 mph. "There's nothing that really connects Eastport to the rest of Washington County," he noted. "It's weird there's such a stigma on it."
     Baileyville Police Chief Bob Fitzsimmons related how that town had gone through a similar process before approving an ATV ordinance. "It's worked really well for us in Baileyville," he stated, with the police receiving only six complaints last year, although he noted there could have been more that were not called in. He advised that the city would need "to give a lot of thought" about a route into Eastport and the streets where they would be allowed, adding, "You shouldn't have ATVs on Water and Clark streets."
     Councillor Jeanne Peacock said she is against the proposal, noting, "ATVs are meant to be on trails, not the narrow streets of Eastport." She said ATVs work in a town like Machias because it is right next to the Downeast Sunrise Trail. In Eastport, the ATVs would be "too close to housing and traffic."
     Council President Billy Boone wondered if "a happy medium" could be found by bringing the ATV route only as far as Carlow's Island or the airport. While open to suggestions, he was concerned about safety, enforcement and the access route. Councillor David Oja commented, "We need to concentrate on the problems we have in the city, instead of adding problems in the city."
     A motion by Councillor Ross Lawrence to table the proposal for three months so the council could do more research on access routes and safety failed by a 2-3 vote -- after a pregnant pause before Boone cast the deciding vote -- with councillors Floyd "Bub" Andrews and Lawrence in favor and councillors Boone, Oja and Peacock opposed.