Templeton Select Board declines to issue ban on engine braking after public hearing for Baldwinville and Brooks roads

The Town of Templeton Select Board held a public hearing Feb. 26 on a petition asking the board to prohibit the use of engine braking — commonly called "Jake braking" — on Baldwinville Road and Brooks Road and to install signs enforcing the ban. After hearing testimony and a period of discussion, the board voted not to issue a traffic order under chapter 2.56‑1 of the town bylaws and said it would forward the hearing record and discussion to the police chief for any enforcement action.

The petition was filed in writing and presented at the hearing by William Graham, 510 Baldwinville Road. Graham told the board he has lived on Baldwinville Road for five years and that commercial trucks have used engine braking in the neighborhood, sometimes loudly and at speed. "I drove truck 46 years. I know. That's what the transmission is for," Graham said, arguing that many uses of the system are unnecessary in his view.

Resident Liz Toth, speaking in opposition to an outright ban, told the board that engine‑braking systems are safety equipment on many modern vehicles and that a prohibition could create liability or safety risks. "Jake brakes are a safety device... To mandate not using it... would put the town at risk," she said.

Police Chief Bennett told the board he did not believe there had been an overuse problem in the area and argued enforcement and speed control are the primary tools to address traffic concerns. "I'm not in favor of this order, of banning Jake Brake because it is a safety issue," the chief said during deliberations, adding that the real problem he sees is speed and enforcement rather than the braking system itself.

Board members discussed options including continuing the hearing to solicit additional neighborhood testimony, placing signs and a formal traffic order under chapter 2.56‑1 (which prohibits engine braking except in an emergency), or forwarding the matter to police for targeted enforcement. Several members said the notice period and the posted hearing provided residents time to participate; others said additional evidence or neighborhood signups could have been useful but the hearing record reflected the views of the attendees.

On a motion following deliberation, the board voted unanimously to take no action under chapter 2.56‑1 at this time. The board recorded that it would forward the transcript and its discussion to the chief of police and ask the department to review enforcement options and report back if patterns warrant targeted enforcement or other steps.

The Select Board's decision means the bylaw was not exercised to install signs or issue a traffic order for Baldwinville Road and Brooks Road at this meeting. The board said it would treat the hearing record as public information to assist the police department in monitoring and enforcement.

Votes at a glance: The board voted unanimously (5–0) to take no action under chapter 2.56‑1 on February 26, 2025; the board also voted unanimously to open and later close the public hearing earlier in the same meeting.

The Select Board said the police chief will be provided the hearing record and the board's discussion so the department can assess whether increased speed enforcement or other measures are warranted.