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Township to advertise ordinance restricting truck brake retarders on two road segments after resident complaints
Summary
After a resident complaint about loud truck brake retarders, Deputy Chief Thomas Douglas said PennDOT approved restrictions on two township road segments; the board voted to advertise a draft ordinance prohibiting brake‑retarder use on those segments.
Deputy Chief Thomas Douglas briefed the board on a resident complaint received in fall 2025 about excessive noise from truck brake retarders. Douglas said the township researched neighboring municipalities and consulted PennDOT about where the township could lawfully restrict retarder use.
Douglas said PennDOT identified two applicable segments where the township may impose restrictions: Swede Road (between Tash Glenn Road and Germantown Pike) and DeKalb Pike (between Tash Blind Road and Germantown Pike). He described brake retarders as devices that help slow large trucks but said in the reported uses they were “excessively loud” and disruptive to nearby residents. The board voted to advertise the proposed ordinance for public notice and further review.
Advertising the ordinance begins the township’s public notice and comment process; any final restriction would require later formal adoption following the advertised period and any public hearing.
