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Manchester Officials Hope To Silence Noisy Trucks
By Lauren Puglisi
During last Monday night's council meeting, Manchester's governing body discussed placing a town-wide restriction on un-muffled engine braking.
Engine braking is a technique that large trucks or tractor trailers use to slow down their vehicles. If the brake system being used is not muffled, it could cause an extreme loud screeching sound upon pulling the brake.
According to Councilman Brendan Weiner, residents living on the Whiting side of town have complained about loud disturbances when trucks pass by their houses using engine braking.
"This has become a quality of life issue, especially for residents who live near Route 70, where many trucks and trailers drive through all hours of the night," Weiner said. "If we look into passing an ordinance to restrict engine braking, we hope to eliminate the burden to those who are affected."
During Monday's preliminary discussion, each of the town officials showed interest in passing an ordinance that would monitor engine braking in Manchester.
Councilman Craig Wallis said to keep the drivers in the know, signs would be placed along many of the main entries to town.
"We will have to contact the state and the county for approval to place signs on state and county roads," Wallis said. "I know that this has already been done on other state roads, it is just a matter of time how long it will take to hear back from them."
When Deidra Morales, a wife of a Manchester truck driver who uses engine braking, asked how the township planned to enforce such a hard restriction, Wallis said in the instance that someone hears the sound, they will be encouraged to call the police so that officials can go out there and enforce it.
Councilman Joseph Wennberg said the task of restricting drivers from engine braking will be hard but not impossible.
"Yes it will be difficult, but we are going to try because residents want us to try. The cost for the signs is minimal and it will be a common courtesy for drivers to see what's right and wrong," Wennberg said. "We believe it will help."
A number of truck drivers approached the microphone during the meeting's public portion to express their concerns with which type of engine braking would be acceptable to use in town.
Wallis said that as long as the drivers muffle their engine braking methods, it will curb the loud sounds and would be permitted.
"Drivers that muffle their engine brakes will not be affected, but drivers will be penalized and face fines and even jail time if they refuse to obey this restriction," Councilman Frederick Trutkoff added.
Deputy Township Clerk Sabina Skibo said she would contact the state for approval before moving forward with the engine braking restriction.
If Manchester receives approval from the state for their proposed restriction on un-muffled engine braking, the matter will go before the council as an ordinance for approval.
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