March 19, 2024 |
Photo – Jake Brake sign – Bigfoot99 file photo
Now that the Town of Medicine Bow lacks a Marshal’s Office, the small community at the north end of County has no way to enforce its recently enacted prohibition on engine brakes. With no way to enforce the ban, the Medicine Bow town council voted against purchasing signs prohibiting trucks from using their engine brakes.
In December, the town council approved a new ordinance banning the use of loud compression, or Jake, brakes within Medicine Bow town limits. At the February 12th, council meeting, the town voted to delay purchasing signs announcing the ban until Public Works Director Brian Lashley received confirmation from the Wyoming Department of Transportation on where the town could install the signs.
At the March 11th council meeting, Lashley said WYDOT had approved the town’s three proposed locations. Lashley said the signs and posts would cost $495.98. Responding to a question from Mayor Justin George, the public works director said obtaining the remaining WYDOT authorizations to install the three signs should not take long.
Last month, Lashley quoted the signs and posts at $700. The public works director said WYDOT requires the signs to be placed on 4-by 6-inch posts. Lashley said the larger posts are less expensive than the 4-by-4 posts he originally quoted the town.
Lashley said WYDOT will not allow the town to place its compression brake signs on the same posts as the existing speed limit signs.
Town Clerk and Treasurer Karen Heath said the streets department had the money in its budget to pay for the signs and posts.
Maintenance Operator Frank Fisher asked who will enforce the engine brake prohibition. Last month, the Medicine Bow town council voted to cease funding and the marshal’s office and to shutter the doors.
The signs will stand as a deterrent, but Mayor Justin George said the county is unable to issue citations for a town ordinance.
Town Attorney Cameron Smith said to enforce the ordinance, WYDOT would need to designate the sections of Highways 30 and 487 running through Medicine Bow as engine brake-free zones. Attorney Smith said without that rule in place, state and county law enforcement are unable to issue citations to violators of the town’s ordinance.
Councilman Trevor Strauch said the town shouldn’t spend nearly $500 on the signs and posts if it can’t enforce the engine brake ban. The other council members agreed, and the topic was tabled until the town can find a way to prosecute offending drivers.
