Staff photo / J.T. Whitehouse Eve Christopher from Talsman Drive asked city officials for help in dealing with the growing noise issues from the state Route 11 exit ramp to U.S. 224.

CANFIELD — A half dozen residents from Talsman Drive on the city’s eastern border attended Wednesday’s council meeting to ask for help quieting the truck traffic using the state Route 11 southbound exit ramp to U.S. 224.

Talsman drive resident Mike Bundy said the situation has been ongoing for some time now, but solving the unique situation may take several local agencies working together.

The area in question is around the southbound Route 11 exit ramp to U.S. 224. Trucks using the ramp often employ a “jake brake,” which utilizes the engine to assist in braking the commercial vehicle. The jake brake saves expensive wear and tear on the truck’s brake linings, but makes a loud noise.

The big rigs use the jake brake at all hours of the night. For those along Talsman Drive, it can be disturbing when trying to sleep, according to those attending the meeting.

Whatever solution is found, it will involve the city, Canfield Township and the Ohio Department of Transportation. The exit ramp is located in the township, while the actual ramp falls under the jurisdiction of ODOT.

“We wanted to build a (noise reduction) wall and it was denied by ODOT because our condos were constructed after Route 11 was built,” Bundy said. “Our argument is that the exit has increased to four lanes since our homes were built.”

He said ODOT told him to drop the wall idea and pursue installing “No Jake Brake” signs, which came with a different set of problems.

The exit ramp lies within the boundaries of Canfield Township. The Talsman Drive residents said they attended a township meeting, but got the feeling the township did not want to spend township money on a problem affecting city residents.

“I am asking the city to work with the township to help pay for the ‘No Jake Brake’ signs,” Talsman Drive resident Dave Pinney said.

He told council members he asked ODOT about the signs and was told it would cost $1,850 for six signs. He said the township zoning inspector also spoke with ODOT and was told the poles and installation would be covered.

The issue at hand was the cost of the signs and the passage of an ordinance declaring the exit ramp to be a “no jake brake” zone.

City Councilman Chuck Tieche asked, “Can the city spend the money outside the city limits?”

Both City Manager Dave D’Apolito and City Attorney Mark Fortunato said they will research the issue and have an answer for council in a few weeks.

“It would be such a benefit to the city residents,” said Talsman Drive resident Eve Christopher. “We’re just asking for your help.”

Not all were convinced the signs were the solution, and Councilman Bruce Neff was among them.

“Just because there is a sign, it doesn’t mean all the truckers will obey it,” he said.

In other business, council unanimously approved an ordinance changing the way sign violations are handled. The ordinance no longer has the city zoning official removing the violation. Fortunato explained the new method would have a door-hanger notice of violation placed at the residence. The notice states a date and gives three days for the sign to be removed. At the end of the three days, should the sign still be there, the property owner will be cited into Mayor’s Court.

“If the sign is removed and verified by the zoning inspector, then I would ask the case be thrown out,” Fortunato said.

If the violation continues beyond the three-day warning period, the fine could be as high as $100 per day until it is removed.

Fortunato said the ordinance came about from contractors who placed a sign while working on a property, then left it up for long periods after the work was finished.