AUBURN - A proposal to open a stretch of public trails in Cayuga County to all-terrain vehicles came to a stall Tuesday.

The county Legislature voted during its monthly meeting to table a resolution that would authorize ATV use on a small stretch of trail on the north side of the county. The vote came after multiple legislators raised concerns about the proposal.

Michael Chapman said he has received letters and calls from citizens about the topic. These vehicles create “unique damage” to the trails, and the resolution does not even define the term “ATV,” Chapman said.

“I believe this (would be) opening the door for this type of use on the trails,” he said.

Legislator Daniel Sincebaugh brought up liability issues the county could face with motorized vehicles on the trails. He asked whether the county could be sued should a pedestrian be hit by a vehicle on the trails.

County Attorney Fred Westphal said someone could file a lawsuit, though both the county and the area ATV club that wishes to use the trails are insured.

Legislator Raymond Lockwood requested the resolution be tabled to work out some of the language.

The area in question would stretch west along the Hojack Trail from Oswego County to the Cato-Fair Haven Trail, then north along the Cato-Fair Haven Trail into Fair Haven.

Only hikers, pets on leashes, bikers and horses are allowed on county's 30 miles of trails during the spring and summer, though ATV riders do already frequent the stretch in question.

The Oswego Valley ATV Club wishes to see that stretch of trail open so riders can have a route from Oswego County to the Village of Fair Haven. The club would maintain the trails in exchange for the access, according to the resolution.

The resolution has been approved by the county Parks and Trails Commission and the Public Works Committee.

Public Works Chairman David Axton said representatives in both Fair Haven and Cato have expressed support for the resolution.

“Almost every question that could be asked has been answered,” Axton said.

In other news:

* A resolution to hire a new purchasing agent for the office of the county manager was defeated 8-6. Legislators Ann Petrus, George Fearon, Francis Mitchell, Linda Murphy, Daniel Schuster and Roger Mills all voted in support of the proposal. Patrick McIntosh was not present at the meeting.

Legislator Peter Tortorici said during the meeting that he understands the need for the position. But with the county possibly facing difficult times, it might not be a good idea to fill a position that will be “difficult to do away with” in the future, he said.

“I would like to explore other options before ...we jump into the water with both feet,” Tortorici said.

The position will be vacated August 8, County Manager Wayne Allen said. The purchasing agent handles approximately 1,000 transactions a month, though that number could go down after the county implements new financial software, he said.

The Legislature will have to work out in various committees how those tasks will be completed, Allen said.

Later in the meeting, Schuster pointed out that all of the resolutions involving purchases go through that position.

“If we don't have a purchasing agent, we can't do any of these,” he said.

* Legislators unanimously approved a resolution to change the job description for the county's mental health director.

Whoever eventually fills that position will serve at the pleasure of the county Legislature. Candidates for the position will be interviewed Tuesday at a special meeting of the Legislature.

The resolution was pulled at the last legislative meeting along with another proposal to have the director of the county Community Services Board also serve at the pleasure of the governing body. Local mental health officials said at last month's meeting that the state mandates that the director of the Community Services Board can only answer to the board.

Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net.