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Northborough board adopts 5‑ton truck exclusion for Lincoln and Pleasant Streets
Summary
The Select Board voted unanimously to adopt MassDOT's heavy commercial vehicle exclusion for Lincoln and Pleasant streets, using a 5‑ton gross vehicle weight threshold to make enforcement easier, staff said. Residents said the restriction will reduce unsafe truck traffic near schools.
The Northborough Select Board voted unanimously on Nov. 3 to adopt MassDOT's draft permit excluding heavy commercial vehicles over 5 tons gross vehicle weight from Lincoln and Pleasant streets. The board's action, which the town clerk will certify before MassDOT issues final signage, follows several months of resident complaints about oversized trucks and a change in MassDOT's enforcement standard.
Scott Charpentier, the town's public works director, told the board the state is moving to a 5‑ton threshold "because enforcement is much easier for the police at 5 ton" and because that class (class 3) typically displays a DOT number on the vehicle, which aids identification. Charpentier said MassDOT sent a draft permit after the board indicated a preference for the higher threshold at its Oct. 20 meeting.
Resident Robert Brewster, who lives on Lincoln Street and said he had observed large trucks near two schools, urged the board to move forward. "I've been on Lincoln Street for 34 years... So in all practical purposes, I would say try to get that pass and do the 5 ton," Brewster said during public comment.
Board members discussed signage and how GPS routing updates to reflect exclusions can lag. Charpentier said MassDOT provides the signs and DPW will install them; he estimated GPS software may take up to a year to pick up exclusions.
Jacob Jones made the motion to adopt the exclusion as presented; Laura Zieten seconded. The chair called for raised hands and declared the motion passed unanimously.
The town will return the certified vote to MassDOT, which will finalize the permit and deliver signage for DPW to install. Enforcement will be handled by the police department as a traffic violation.
