HUBBARD TOWNSHIP — Residents will be preparing and circulating a petition to present to township trustees seeking action to repair roads they say are being damaged by truck traffic to and from local businesses.

More than 15 residents told township trustees this week that something needs to be done with the truck traffic on Mount Everett Road, Bell Wick Road and other roads with damage. Several asked for new load weight limits or new truck routes being established.

Residents gave trustees photos of the many trucks they say exceed the posted 5-ton weight limit.

While residents said some days only a few trucks travel the roads, other days there can be between 20 and 30 trucks.

Trustee Fred Hanley said the Trumbull County Engineer’s Office has cameras posted and images were taken last month. While some trucks are delivery vehicles such as United Parcel Service and FedEx, there are other larger trucks making deliveries to local businesses.

Jeff Rowlands of Bell Wick Road said the county allows truck traffic on Mount Everett Road, which has the 5-ton load limit.

He suggested another truck route be looked at, noting there are collapsed culverts from the heavy trucks on Bell Wick.

“If the county continues to allow the trucks on these roads, which cause damage to the roads, then Bell Wick Road and Mount Everett Road need to be paved every year,” Rowlands said.

Rowlands said signs are posted against “jake braking” but many trucks are not following this and are using engine retarders.

Other residents said two semitrucks coming in different directions can’t both be on the road because the path is not wide enough to pass — with some trucks ending up driving over lawns.

Trustee William Coletta said trustees can address the jake braking and speeding issue with additional police presence on the streets.

“That is what we can do now short term. Some of the other items such as where truck routes are will be long term. The county can look into Bell Wick Road, but that is a process since trucks hauling items are permitted on the road,” he said.

Susan Lingenfelter of Bell Wick Road said she is concerned with the speeding vehicles and worried for children’s safety as they travel to and from school on buses.

“Someone is going to get hurt. It’s terrible at times all the speeding,” she said.

Police Chief Ron Fusco said the police patrol the area around the clock.

Rowlands said he will get a formal petition prepared and signed by residents to get the conditions of Bell Wick and Mount Everett Road addressed and paved.

“Please represent us at the county and take the petition to them,” he said.

Trustee Rick Hernandez said they will take the petition and information to the county engineer and make sure “residents’ voices are heard” over the safety concerns and nuisance created by the truck traffic.

“We will take your concerns to the county and speak on your behalf. This will not go off by the wayside,” he said,

Howard Huffman of Bell Wick Road said he is “tired of the constant lawn damage.”

Thomas Damico of Bell Wick asked if there is any way to reroute the trucks.

Officials said because Hubbard city is a municipality, it can prohibit the trucks on roads such as Drummond Avenue within the municipal corporation.

“They can make their own rules — because they are a municipality — on where trucks are allowed. A city, by ordinance, can shut a road down and post weight limits without restrictions that townships have. Townships have to rely on the Ohio Revised Code,” Hanley said.

He said the township does receive $2,000 annually from permit fees, or $500 per quarter, for trucks using the routes.