CARTHAGE — The Wilna Town Council will consider allowing an all-terrain vehicle trail to pass through a parcel that is currently off-limits.

Joseph Z. Onyon, Region 6 director of the state Off-Highway Recreational Vehicle Association, wants to connect surrounding ATV trails and allow drivers to access businesses on Route 3, including Sahara Restaurant and Two Charlies.

"Right now, it's kind of a dead end," Mr. Onyon said.

The town's local law that specifically prohibits entering the former landfill site on Avery Road will force the project to take a detour through the process of repealing the law, if the council decides to do so. This would require a local law to be passed and filed with the state Department of State. Town Supervisor Paul H. Smith said the board will look into insurance issues first.

All town roads in Wilna are open to ATV use, but businesses on state and county highways are not accessible. ATV trails can only cross these roads, not follow them.

Mr. Onyon and the Lewis County ATV Association hope the proposed trail will help them reach their goal of forging an interconnected trail system from the town of Harrisville, through the hamlet of Natural Bridge and the village of Carthage, to Route 194 in the hamlet of Barnes Corners.

Mr. Onyon said the trail system will have a positive economic impact.

"It will bring trails to additional businesses so they can benefit from the ATV market," he said.

Amanda E. and Eric Highers, who own 157 acres on the corner of Avery and Crowner roads, have already agreed to open their property to the trail.

"We're very, very willing to let them make trails — anything to help local businesses," Mrs. Highers said. "We own ATVs ourselves. It's too bad they're closing so many trails. That's why we're willing to do this; it's an activity we do as a family. You almost have to travel out of the area now."

Sahara owner Belva R. Hall said she thinks ATV riders would come to her restaurant if they could get there legally.

"I think it could do nothing but help business," she said. "It's something I'm looking forward to."

The proposed trail would start at Crowner Road and pass through the Highers' property and the town of Wilna's former landfill site. Then, it will split. One trail will lead to Two Charlies and the other to Sahara.

But the trail to Sahara depends on whether or not Robert E. Gormley agrees to allow the trails to pass through his land. Mr. Onyon said that Kevin O'Connor, who owns all other lots that could connect the trail to Route 3, declined to open his property to the trail system.

Mr. Gormley could not be reached for comment, but Mr. Onyon said the Black River Valley Riders club has permission to conduct global positioning system surveys on the property.

Mr. Onyon is optimistic about the town repealing or amending the 1992 local law to allow the trail to cross the landfill.

"I didn't see any real negativity. I think they're willing to work with us," he said.