Unity trustees work to ban jake brakes

SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR

UNITY — Unity Township trustees are continuing their efforts to curb the use of jake brakes in the community.

Trustees passed a resolution at their meeting earlier this week making official the township’s goal to eliminate the use of the brake.

The jake brake is a device attached to the engine that slows a tractor-trailer by reversing engine valves, causing a loud noise some residents complain is annoying and disruptive.

Last month, the trustees said they planned to ask the Ohio Department of Transportation to post signs along state Route 14 warning truck drivers not to use jake brakes. ODOT officials, however, said the trustees must first adopt a resolution addressing the matter.

After ODOT approves the resolution, the township can buy the signs and ODOT can then place them along state Route 14.

The trustees previously agreed to prohibit jake brakes along state Route 14 in response to residents’ concerns about the increasing use of the device and the loud noise it generates.

Officials said they expect the signs to be posted this summer.

In other news, the trustees agreed to explore the possibility of placing some of the township’s money in a certificate of deposit or other investment opportunity. They agreed to look at various interest rates offered by area banks and said they might consider investing up to $15,000 from the township’s general fund.

The trustees also approved a $757,271 budget for 2009.