Night use of Jake brakes may come to a stop

By PAT SHAVER Courier staff writer

June 26, 2009 09:59 pm

— OTTUMWA — Semi-trucks driving on highways through the county might soon be prohibited from using Jake brakes to slow down.
The Wapello County Supervisors will set a time and date for a public hearing Tuesday to discuss the ordinance that could take affect. The ordinance would prevent semi trucks from using engine or Jake braking on highways in the county.
Supervisor Jerry Parker said when a semi is going down a hill, instead of hitting the brakes, they might use the Jake or engine brakes, which can be very noisy. The noise can be disturbing to residents who live near a highway.
If the ordinance passes, Parker said, the challenge will be enforcing it. The hope is that when signs go up along the highway, it will prevent truck drivers from using the noisy brakes.
The supervisors will decide on a time and date for a public hearing on the ordinance. If there isn’t much objection, then they will give the ordinance three readings before it is adopted.
The supervisors will also take action on a request for zoning changes in the county. A couple has requested to change the zoning of an area that now allows rural mobile homes to also allow residential properties. They hope to start the Hill Crest Subdivision, Parker said.
“Right now, they want to create a subdivision, and the zoning does not allow that,” Parker said.
The supervisors will also take action on contracts with the Southern Iowa Mental Health Center and the Promise Center at their meeting Tuesday.
The meeting will be at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday in the board room on the third floor of the Wapello County Courthouse.
Pat Shaver can be reached at (641) 683-5360 or via e-mail at p.shaver@ottumwacourier.com.