Merrimack, in tacitly sanctioning use of the old Bishop property as an all-terrain vehicle recreational speedway during the past two years, disregards its own zoning ordinances.

My neighborhood, including the old Bishop property opposite the intersection of Baboosic Lake Road and Danbury Drive, is zoned residential.

Yet, during the past two years, the old Bishop property, which the town now owns, has been home to a myriad of ATVs that race around and around this field during all hours of the day.

I would not be allowed to use my property as an ATV racetrack, so what gives the town of Merrimack the legal right to allow this residentially zoned land to be used in such a non-conforming manner?

Shouldn't the town of Merrimack abide by its own zoning ordinances? I, nor my fellow neighbors, shouldn't have to put up with the daily, constant loud buzzing of ATVs while doing chores around the yard, swimming in the pool, relaxing on the deck or any other typical residential activity in or around our homes.

In addition, we are also subjected to dense, massive, rolling dust clouds pervading the entire area. Due to these excessive noise levels and dust storms, we cannot open our windows during the spring, summer or fall!

There is no point in washing non-garaged vehicles - within one day they are filthy again. And, power-washing my home's siding has become at least a semi-annual event.

By not posting "Keep Out" signs on the old Bishop property and shutting down this speedway, the town shows a blatant disrespect for its own zoning ordinances and any resident that adheres to them.

Apparently, according to the town of Merrimack, what's good for the goose is not good for the gander.

Until the town posts "No Trespassing" signs on the old Bishop property and lives up to its own zoning ordinances, it should assign a police officer to continually patrol this property, expelling all ATVs and their users immediately.

However, I feel it would behoove the town of Merrimack (in order to show that it is a forthright, honorable and fair governing entity) to post those signs immediately and start fining abusers, if only in order to prevent our police officers from wasting their time, continually having to revisit the old Bishop property.