During the Regular Council Meeting of February 10, 2025, Salisbury Town Council updated the previously proposed ATV By-law and replaced it with an updated version, which had First and Second Readings during the same meeting.
The following constitutes public notice under Section 70 of the Local Governance Act and to serve as a general update on the proposed By-law.
The following provides an overview of the timeline to date:
- In the Fall of 2023, Council had First Reading of a proposed By-law, followed by a public consultation session where the By-law was further refined.
- In early 2024 (February), it was passed for Second Reading and was circulated to the Province for approval.
- In mid-September, the Province advised that the By-law required significant changes before proceeding, given the amount of streets proposed to be included.
- During the Committee of the Whole meeting in November, Town Council discussed alternate options, opting to ensure immediate access from the federated trail network to businesses, in order to demonstrate success and consider additional streets thereafter. Since the initial submission, the Government of New Brunswick also updated the authority of municipalities, and municipal entities must now also have QuadNB submit Highway Use Permits (HUP) for Provincial roads (Fredericton Road and Main Street, in this case). The Town opted to differ to the recommendation of QuadNB to have the by-law drafted based on their expertise and having the highest likelihood of obtaining Provincial approval.
- Between December and January, QuadNB and the Town finalized the initial proposed locations, which are being proposed in the revised By-law that passed First and Second Readings during the most recent meeting.
Following First and Second Readings, the revised by-law has been re-submitted to the Province for consideration. The Town is hopeful that an expedited decision will occur, and will continue to follow-up on the file. Until such a point, residents and motorists are advised that it remains prohibited to operate ATVs on streets.
The revised By-law can be read in full here. The revised map can be viewed here. A summary of the By-law is as follows:
- ATV Access would be permitted on the following municipal streets: Silver Fox, Horsman, and Smith.
- ATV Access would be permitted on the following provincial streets, pending HUP approvals: Fredericton Road from Main Street to Silver Fox Drive and Main Street between the federated trail (past Larsen Lane) to 3160 Main Street.
- The same provisions of the Off-Road Vehicle Act apply.
The Town appreciates the patience of motorists and ATV users as we continue to seek Provincial approval in attempt to increase the economic potential of having regulated street access in a reasonable and safe fashion. Further updates will be provided as they become available.