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Update: According to the Connecticut General Statute Section 14-1(84), a truck is defined as "a motor vehicle designed, used or maintained primarily for transportation of property." Sgt. William Spencer had misinterpreted the question and gave information to Chief John Solomon concerning the weight of a truck about commercial motor vehicles and commercial driver's licenses.
Route 136 is a "No Thru Truck" street in Easton, and Police Chief John Solomon said he "expects to get a truthful, honest answer" when asking a driver for their destination.
State Rep. Kim Fawcett, D-Fairfield, recently proposed a bill granting law enforcement the right to ask for paperwork stating an address of destination from a truck driver on that roadway.
"The officer has a right to do that. The crisis comes when he has no paperwork," said Solomon. "The officers can use their discretion, but they're not going to follow them." Solomon said there is "limited manpower" with only two officers on duty at a time in town.
The drivers are often landscapers working in Easton, Solomon said. The Easton Police Department issues an average of 50 infractions for through trucks on Route 136 each year, he said.
The bill has "essentially died," and he has begun to "pull together a meeting in late summer with town officials, law enforcement officials and members of the transportation committee to create better enforcement mechanisms for 'no thru truck' zones" state Rep. John Shaban, a co-sponsor of the bill, wrote in an email to First Selectman Thomas Herrmann. Shaban, a Republican, represents Easton, Redding and Weston.
A truck must be originating from or landing at a destination in Easton to not be in violation of the statute. To be considered a truck, the vehicle must weigh more than 26,000 pounds or have commercial plates, Solomon said.
"It can be a problem at times. It's an old road, and the homes on it are old and are situated close to the road," said Herrmann. "It was established as a no through trucks road to minimize traffic on thoroughfare that's potentially dangerous and disruptive to the peace and tranquility of Easton."
Redding Road is the only other road designated as a "no thru trucks" route in Easton.
Do you think there are too many trucks driving through Route 136? Do you think trucks should be allowed to drive on Route 136? Leave your comments below.
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