The Dufferin-Grey ATV Club is asking the Town of Mono to pass a bylaw permitting all-terrain vehicles to operate on its municipal roads.

The club has already presented this idea to East Luther Grand Valley which, like Mono, is still considering the proposal. The townships of Melancthon, Southgate, Minden Hill and West Nippising have already enacted a bylaw that allows the municipalities to control where and when ATV riders are permitted.

Mono's hesitation stems from concerns over potential damage to roads, the creation of noise pollution, erosion along ditches and trails and the number of riders this could attract to the town.

Representatives of the club said their main goal is to get a bylaw enacted that would organize ATVs on trails and roadways and mitigate annoyances.

"We know that people are riding ATVs all over the town now," read Shirley Farnell from a letter submitted to council. "In fact, they are doing it illegally and annoying some residents. By approving our request you will be putting guidelines in place to provide comfort for your residents. In addition, you will have help from the Dufferin-Grey ATV Club Inc. in patrolling the areas so we can promote our goal of this safe, responsible, environmentally sound family activity."

One of the representatives said creating such a bylaw could provide an economic boost for Mono as it would attract riders from all over who would stop in at local shops.

As far as noise goes, Paul Waechter said ATVs are built much quieter than they once were. The club was also working to ensure the environment is not damaged, by building bridges along trails where they are needed.

The trails would be for club members only and Councillor Jean Castel wanted to know why and how non-members would be excluded.

Ms. Farnell said anyone could ride the trails as long as they bought a trailway sticker, providing money used by the club to build bridges. She said this proposal is just to allow riders to travel to more destinations on their ATVs.

Councillors were also concerned with one of the routes on a draft trail map that took riders to 30 Sideroad, which is often used by emergency vehicles to reach accidents on highways 10 and 89.

Councillor Ken McGhee said that road is barely safe for cars, let alone ATVs.

Mr. Waechter agreed, saying you never know when 30 Sideroad will be closed, but added it doesn't happen all that often. He said the club is willing to work with the road superintendent to form a better trail map.

Deputy Mayor Dave Baldwin said he had no problem with the 230 members riding across the town, but he was concerned the town could be overwhelmed with riders if a bylaw were passed.

Mr. Waechter asked what the Town is doing right now to control that. He said the process of obtaining a bylaw was to try to prevent chaos and clearly mark permitted trails, to keep riders off private property. He said that in order to get a map of the trails you have to be a member, so that would keep some of the ATV population down.

Council made no decision and will discuss the matter further in an upcoming meeting.