WATERBORO — An April vote cast by a selectman against a proposed ordinance that would have allowed all terrain vehicles to use three public roads has sparked a sign campaign against him.

Tim Neill, a former long time member of the Planning Board, is seeking his second, three-year term as a Waterboro selectman. He currently serves as vice chairman of the board.

He was one of two selectmen who voted against a proposed ordinance that would have allowed ATVs to use portions of Ossipee Hill Road, the improved section of McLucas Road and parts of Deering Ridge Road. Selectman Dwayne Woodsome also cast a “no” vote. Voting in favor were Selectman’s Board Chairman Dennis Abbott, who is also seeking re-election, and Selectman Ted Doyle. Selectman Gordon Littlefield abstained. Neill also voted against a motion to send the matter to referendum on June 11 that night — at a juncture when a unanimous vote would have been necessary to do so.

Within the last few days, signs have cropped up in town that say “Selectman Tim Neill is anti-ATV. Vote June 11. It’s time for Tim to go!”

Neill, who lives on Deering Ridge Road, one of the roads proposed in the ordinance, said he is concerned about safety.

“I think the negative signs are just a smear campaign,” he said in an email. “I am opposed to ATVs on public roads, for good reasons. Since the pro-road use people can’t dispute the safety issues, they resort to character assassination.”

Voters on June 11 will choose two selectman from a slate of three candidates; the top two vote-getters will be elected. In the running besides incumbents Neill and  Abbott is Maine House Republican Rep. Dwayne Prescott.

Waterboro resident Trish Kennedy said she and her husband Sean are avid ATV riders and decided to put up the signs.

“We ride all season long, from East Waterboro all the way to Sebago,” she said in a message. But she said she and Sean can’t get to the trails located near the Ossipee Mountain ATVers Club on Old Alfred Road and so aren’t members.

“We are doing this solely for our love of the trails and support of our clubs and fellow ATV enthusiasts in Waterboro,” said Kennedy.

In Waterboro, selectmen may enact ordinances, but if they choose, they can send a proposal to referendum. Earlier this month, selectmen discussed putting the proposed ATV ordinance to voters in the November elections, but so far have not taken a vote.

Ossipee Mountain ATVers Club President Todd Abbott, who is a son of Selectman Dennis Abbott, said if there is a change on the Selectman’s Board as a result of the June 11 election, the club would bring the matter back to the board for this riding season. If there is no change, he said he believes the ATV club will hope for a November referendum and would seek additional roads to be added to the proposal. Originally, he said the club proposed the least number of roads required.

“My only opinion on the signs is, it’s nice to see public support,” he said.

Todd Abbott said the club has not taken a position on the Selectman’s Board race and he doesn’t expect that it will.

The club was seeking to use the three roads as a way to link existing trails. At one time, the club had access on a particular private, 160-acre parcel that did link the trails — but the land sold, and the new owner doesn’t want ATV riders using the property, he said. As matters now stand, he said there’s a gap in the system that would otherwise allowed riders from Lebanon, Sanford and Waterboro to ride to Hollis, Limington and Standish.

“The state does allow ATV access routes, period,” Todd Abbott said. “We wanted an ordinance that would control these access roads and use them in a way Waterboro would like them to be used.”

Prescott did not return a telephone message seeking comment.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 780-9016 or twells@journaltribune.com.