WILTON — The Select Board voted Tuesday against allowing ATV access on McCrillis Corner Road following a second public hearing at the town office meeting room filled with people.

The vote on a motion to allow access failed 2-2.

Vice Chairman Mike Wells and Selectperson David Leavitt voted in favor of ATV access and Chairperson Tiffany Maiuri and Selectperson Phil Hilton opposed it.

Selectperson Keith Swett was absent.

The Chesterville Ridge Riders ATV Club requested to use the road from state Route 156 to U.S. Route 2. It is trying to connect trails to other towns. They have tried getting approval from landowners but that hasn’t worked, President Sarah Baker said.

Opening the road would have let the club connect trails to the Whistle Stop Trail that goes from Jay to West Farmington with stops in Wilton, as well as with trails in Temple.

The club has a request to the state to use state Route 156.

Town officials have been trying to make the town a recreation destination.

Maiuri said it was a very difficult decision because she rides ATVs and favors ATV access in town, but she also worried about people getting hurt on the road.

Residents speaking at the public hearing cited noise, speed, safety and potential for crashes, while business owners said allowing broader ATV access brings more people to town.

Justin Anderson, an avid ATV rider, said McCrillis Corner Road could not get any noisier than the large dump trucks already driving there, as well as helicopters working on the New England Clean Energy Corridor. There is quite an advantage to allowing ATV access on the road, he said, including attracting more riders to the area.

Bryce Weeks, who has a side-by-side recreational vehicle, said he was opposed to opening the road to ATVs because of poor visibility and road conditions. It is a public safety issue, he said.

Nancy Merrow, who lives on the road, said she and others have worked hard to have a retirement home. She didn’t want the extra noise. She also pointed out that ATVs don’t require insurance and if a crash occurs on her property or vehicle, she would be paying for it.

Leavitt said they went through crash reports and none had ATV involvement. There have been five crashes on the road in five years, according to public safety data.

Maxine Brown, who lives on Temple Road, which allows ATV access, said police have told her they are understaffed and cannot be on the road to check speeds at all times.

Ambition Brewery owner Jeff Chaisson said the ATVs come to town and stop at his place on Main Street and other businesses in the area.

“They are spending money at the hardware store, restaurants” and other places in town, he said.

“It is very beneficial,” he said. “We have definitely seen an increase in sales.”

“I love that people are coming downtown,” said Nicki Girard, who owns a large building downtown with her husband, Eric.

“Motorcycles are way louder than ATVs,” she said.

Eric Girard said he has seen nothing but respect from the ATVs riders.