Council hears spike in loud-muffler and oversized-truck complaints; police cite limits to enforcement

Township Manager Brian Banta told council he has received "continued complaints and comments from residents" about loud mufflers and oversized trucks traveling down residential streets, and asked what the town can do to limit routing and the associated noise.

A police representative responded that the township already maintains an ordinance that prohibits trucks over 4 tons from certain streets and that officers can issue summonses for altered mufflers under state statute 39:3-70, but that officers cannot impound vehicles or remove equipment; payment of fines is handled through the courts. The police representative said traffic bureau details have been deployed — "the traffic bureau did conduct seven details over the past week and a half to combat these loud mufflers" — but added that manpower demands (storm response and other incidents) limit continuous enforcement.

Council members directed staff to reexamine the existing list of truck‑prohibited streets with the town engineer, noting that changes in land use and new development can render prior restrictions impractical. Manager Banta said the list is posted on the town website and can be amended to add or remove streets after engineering review.