The Westbrook Board of Selectmen last week took the first steps to stop all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) from using a driveway on Route 153 in Westbrook to access the trails of The Preserve.

Tom ODell asked for the selectmen’s support in principal to install a gate to block two Westbrook entrances at 1278 Essex Road/Route 153 to unauthorized motorized vehicles. One driveway entrance is 60 feet across and other, 10 feet across.

ODell said that the Essex Land Trust had already installed a locked gate to block vehicular access through the Essex entrances to The Preserve open space. As would be done in Westbrook, Essex installed a lock to which emergency responders would have access, should they need it.

ODell hoped the selectmen also would support installation of large stones to block vehicular access across the flat areas of the property away from the gated driveway.

“I would rather err on the side of putting plenty of rocks in place to block vehicle access. That would be about 120 feet [to block] across between the gate and the stones,” said Selectman John Hall.

The selectmen voted to unanimously to authorize ODell to seek quotes to install both a gate and stones to block vehicular access to The Preserve through the Westbrook lot. ODell agreed to bring prices to the selectmen’s next meeting.