The township has authorized the purchase of full-size SUV that could handle the scale’s heavy weight.
By Linda Seida, Staff Writer
SOLEBURY — Like their neighbors to the south in New Hope, Solebury residents see a lot of heavy truck traffic, and they’re telling police they want something done about it because it is a safety issue.
”Most of the residents’ complaints concern speeding cars, speeding trucks and motorcycles,” said Solebury Police Chief Dominick Bellizzie on Dec. 11.
Cars bring visitors on their way to New Hope and other locales. Motorcyclists take in the bucolic scenery. But it is the trucks coming from local quarries or traveling through the township to access bridges to New Jersey that are sparking a lot of worry right now, according to the chief.
”Everything seems to funnel through Solebury,” Chief Bellizzie said.
To make the local roads safer, the chief favors purchasing weight scales that will make sure truck weights are within the legal limit.
Members of the Board Supervisors say the purchase is hardly a sure thing at this point.
Chairwoman Ruth Ann Wilson said, “It is far too early to take a position on this issue. We will need to put this on an agenda, obtain information concerning the pros and cons and obtain input from our residents.”
Vice Chairman Michael A. Kennerley agreed.
”This is a topic that is very early in the consideration stages,” he said. “None of the Board of Supervisors have had the opportunity to even begin the dialogue as it has not been an agenda item at any of our meetings. The best I can say is stay tuned and feel free to check in for updates.”
Supervisor Tom Caracio said he would support the acquisition of truck scales because the amount of truck traffic in Solebury has “increased dramatically.”
Two trucks have gone out of control and ended up in the canal in the past 18 months Chief Bellizzie has been on the job. No serious injuries resulted, but Chief Bellizzie remains concerned it could be just a matter a matter of time, factoring in trucks that may be overweight and brakes not equipped to handle the extra load, especially on the community’s winding roads.
”It’s really a danger if they fly around these roads,” he said. “They travel at a higher speed than is safe. Add in overweight, and you’re really talking about a serious danger to the community if one goes out of control.”
One officer in the police department is already trained and certified to perform the weight inspections. The problem standing in the way of regularly scheduled inspections is a lack of equipment. Solebury would need its own scales.
Currently weight inspections occur infrequently. Scales are shared among municipalities that belong to a consortium, the Central Bucks Motor Carrier Regional Safety Enforcement Team. Members include Solebury Township, Doylestown Borough, Doylestown Township, New Britain Borough, Plumstead Township and Buckingham Township.
Chief Bellizzie said he hopes to obtain a grant or perhaps funding from the township to buy the $40,000 scales sometime in the future.
”If we had scales, we could do it on a regular basis and make sure they are within the proper weight limit so their brakes can handle it,” Chief Bellizzie said.
While working on the 2008 budget, supervisors recently agreed to include the purchase of a $49,500 Chevy Tahoe for the police department. Unlike a Jeep or Ford Explorer, the Tahoe can handle the scales’ heavy weight, according to Chief Bellizzie.
”The purchase of a full-size SUV to replace the oldest Ford Expedition makes sense,” Mr. Caracio said. “However, all other SUVs should be mid-sized. All municipalities should show interest in energy conservation. Police and public service vehicles consume high volumes of energy.”

