2014.11.24 Council Agenda Item 11
Summary
Introduction of an amendment to the Code of Ordinances Section 17-9 Certain Vehicles Prohibited from Certain Streets, which restricts trucks on Brook Road.
A public comment period will not be included with this item.
ACTION: Schedule Public Hearing.
Description
The Town Council adopted Section 17-9 of the Code of Ordinances in 1979. The Town Council reviewed this section of the Ordinance at its meeting on November 10, 2014, and directed the Town Manager to draft an amendment that would reduce the restricted area and define the term "truck”
Section 17-9 currently states: No truck or bus other than an emergency vehicle or a local passenger bus picking up and discharging passengers along designated routes at specified stops shall travel over the following streets or parts of streets except when necessary to render service to or to deliver supplies to persons residing adjacent thereto where other means of access to such residences are not reasonably convenient: Brook Road between Blackstrap Road and Mountain Road.
The State of Maine Department of Transportation (MDOT) maintains some jurisdiction on Brook Road, including the portion between Blackstrap Road and Leighton Road. It is MDOT policy not to limit or prohibit commercial truck traffic on major collector roads, which is the designation for this part of Brook Road.
The attached proposed ordinance amendment, authored by Town Attorney Amy Tchao, includes three specific changes:
- The amendment will eliminate restrictions from the current portion of Brook Road between Blackstrap Road and Leighton Road.
- Public works and public utility vehicles are exempt from the restriction.
- The term “truck” is defined for the remaining restricted area between Leighton Road and Mountain Road. The definition utilizes the Federal Highway Administration (FWHA) Vehicle Classification guide to refine the definition of “truck”. (A graphical depiction of the FWHA Vehicle Classification guide is attached along with some pictures of single and dual rear axle trucks.) The proposed amendment offers two suggestions. The first option is to simply limit all commercial trucks in Class 6 or higher. This would prohibit trucks with two or more rear axles to travel on the applicable area of Brook Road. The second option attempts to also restrict some Class 5 trucks. Residents have previously indicated the need to restrict utility bucket trucks. These trucks typically have one rear axle. It is also possible to limit smaller box trucks with one rear axle.
Attachments:
- FWHA Vehicle Classification guide
- Truck photos, depicting different axle styles of truck
- Letter of introduction
- Proposed ordinance language
