The Town of Hudson like so many local towns has experienced an increase in traffic including a particular spike in the number of large tractor trailer trucks. And many of these trucks are now traveling through residential neighborhoods as they try to avoid the congestion of the rotary downtown or of back-ups on Route 495/290. And with this additional traffic comes a disruption in the peace and quiet of many Hudson residents.
Article 33 on the Annual Town Meeting Warrant will prohibit non-emergency use of engine brakes on roads maintained by the Town. Engine braking (also known as “Jake braking” after the developer of the Jacobs Brake) is a common practice for semis and diesel trucks. It uses the engine to slow down the truck instead of just relying on the brakes which causes the vehicle to make a loud “growling” or “jackhammer” like exhaust noise adversely affecting the public health and safety of many residents.
Please vote YES on Article 33 and help your fellow Hudson residents who have to deal with this increased truck traffic and noise. We have nothing against truckers or the companies they work for but we would like them to have more respect for the residents of Hudson. Article 33 will remind truckers to be more courteous and respectful when they travel through our neighborhoods. We need to preserve the well-being and quiet environment of our neighborhoods and stop this noise pollution and protect our property values.
This proposed By-Law is patterned exactly after the By-Law in Berlin, MA that was approved at their Spring 2022 Town Meeting and subsequently approved by the MA Attorney General. Similar By-Laws can be found in nearby Northboro as well as in Athol, Ayer, Boxford, Cambridge, Chicopee, Hingham, Holyoke, Leicester, Longmeadow, Northampton, Norwell, Salem, Sherborn, Springfield, Templeton, West Tisbury and more.
Elizabeth S. Brown
Hudson, MA
