Cabot ballot explained

The wording of the Cabot ballot regarding the ATV ordinance is: “Article 1. Shall the voters of the town of Cabot advise the Cabot Selectboard to adopt an ordinance regulating the operation of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) Yes/No.”

Many find this vague. “Yes” means allow ATVs on more Cabot roads. “No” says existing state law, which already allows ATVs on Class 4 roads, is enough in Cabot. The word “allow” is not on the ballot, even though allowing ATVs to use more Cabot town roads is the purpose of the vote.

Voters may think “yes” is a vote to restrict ATV use. It is not.

“No” means keep the law unchanged. “Yes” means open up all Cabot roads to ATV riders. Vote “no” to keep the state law about ATV use on public roads.

Peter Dannenberg

Cabot