Greenfield to erect signs requesting brake noise reduction

GREENFIELD – Seeking to take a lighter approach to the weighty issue of noise levels from truck engine brakes, the Penobscot County commissioners this week authorized the posting of signs in Greenfield asking for voluntary compliance to curb the noise.

A Greenfield resident who lives near Greenfield Road called the county Monday to complain that she is awakened by the loud brake noises beginning at 3:30 a.m.

In authorizing the signs, the commissioners struck a balance between meeting the needs of residents in the organized township and truck drivers who commissioners said need to earn a living. They acknowledged that while the engine brakes can be noisy, they are an important safety device.

Commissioner Dick Blanchard, panel chairman, urged a more user-friendly approach that would have wording such as “please” on the signs, thereby asking, not telling, truck drivers to reduce the usage of the engine brakes. The brakes are commonly known as Jake Brakes, one of the brands of engine brakes.

“I think if they are a little easier on the Jake Brakes, that will solve the problem,” Blanchard said Thursday.

The resident also had suggested that the speed limit be reduced in the area, something the commissioners rejected.

Truck drivers sometimes need to pick up speed on a downhill if they are to make it up hill, particularly in what Commissioner Tom Davis described as “almost mountainous” geography in the area.