LIVERMORE — Forty people representing 16 ATV clubs recently decided to begin the process of forming a trail alliance, with the goal of clubs helping other clubs.

Nominations of officers for the new alliance, United Trail Volunteers, will be taken at the next meeting, which will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. March 19 at the Livermore Community Center at 25 Church St.

Mike Worthley, president of the Roxbury ATV Riders, and Dan Mitchell of the River Valley Riders said they would like to set up a web page or Facebook page on which multi-club events and work details could be posted.

“We can help each other out and take the burden off the individual clubs,” Worthley said. “I saw the success that Western Maine ATV Club was having by working together with other nearby clubs and wanted to see if it would work in other areas. Instead of three or four people showing up for work parties, they were able to form work parties of 15 to 20 people.”

Turner Timberlands President Matt Jordan vocalized the fear that all clubs face: losing trails. “The state needs to help us out more with this problem,” he said. “New trails need to be explored to keep the state trail system going.”

Rick LaFlamme, a landowner relations specialist for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife was mentioned as a good resource for any club having problems with its trails.

Bob Dalot of Western Maine ATV was quick to point out that this alliance would not be formed to replace ATVMaine, the state organization, but would be a resource for clubs when they need help on their trails. “We were able to help Brettuns Wheelers here in Livermore when they needed help on their 350-foot boardwalk/bridge,” he said.

The call went out and was answered by clubs, not only from the four other clubs that regularly show up to help, but from clubs as far away as Oquossoc, Rumford and Andover, to name a few. The volunteers came over two or three weekends.

“The Canton club pitched in and bought some lumber when the funds got low,” Dalot said. “We didn’t do it overnight, but it was a huge project and the Livermore club was able to open their trails. That’s what the clubs are for, to help each other out.”

He said sometimes a club has access to materials, such as railroad ties, telephone poles or other materials that can be shared. Dalot and several other club presidents in attendance wanted to take the idea back to their members so they could discuss and vote on the idea.

Lou Annance of Bog Hooters Tri Town ATV Club in Mechanic Falls stated, “We need a voice in Augusta. We need someone to fight for our bills and to notify clubs when they need to be at a hearing to support a bill.”

He added that they lost a major connector between West Minot and Hebron. “All it took was a couple of bad actors.”

Deb Cayer of Ellis River Riders Horse Club spoke about all clubs helping each other as they do with the Roxbury ATV Riders Club.

“We have a wonderful relationship between the ATV club and our horse club,” she said. “There has been wonderful cooperation. We would love to see the same kind of cooperation between all groups statewide. Many trails are multiuse and if we all work together, we will have awesome trails worked on by everyone.”

Members of the board of directors for the alliance are Jim Theriault, Rumford Riders; Lou Annance, Bog Hooters; Dale Giles, Topsham Trail Riders; Mike Little, Over the Hill Club; Clyde Chapman Jr., Oquossoc ATV Club; Roger Bickford, Topsham Trail Riders; and Marc Baillargeon, Turner Timberlands ATV Club.

Others clubs represented at the meeting included Roxbury ATV Riders, River Valley Riders, Temple Trail Riders, Oxford Trail Ryders, Gray-New Gloucester ATV Club, St. Agatha ATV Club, Brettuns Wheelers ATV Club, Western Maine ATV Club, Canton Trail Riders and Ellis River Riders (equestrian club).

Many clubs showed an interest in banding together to help each other at the first meeting of the United Trail Volunteers.

Deb Cayer of the Ellis River Riders Equestrian Club praised the local ATV clubs for their help in maintaining the trails on which their horses travel.

Mike Worthley, standing, listens as members of several clubs, including Temple Trail Riders, share their concerns. To his right is his wife, Wanda.