CADIZ — In order to aid the Harrison County Home’s elderly residents, motorists are to discontinue the usage of engine brakes when passing the facility.

The Harrison County Board of Commissioners signed a resolution Wednesday allowing the Ohio Department of Transportation to install signage along U.S. 250 that alerts motorists to discontinue the use of engine brakes outside of the Harrison County Home.

An engine brake is a device used primarily on large trucks that changes the timing of the exhaust valves to slow the vehicle, according to ODOT.

Commissioner Paul Coffland read the resolution submitted by the facility’s administrator, Ed Banks.

“This is a resolution to discontinue the use of jake brakes outside the county home. …

“The noise from the engine brake is loud and disturbing. Both residents and staff have complained about the excessive noise,” Coffland read.

“This resolution is the result of complaints by the residents and staff living and working in the Harrison County Home regarding the excessive noise generated from the tandem and tractor-trailer trucks using the engine or jake brake as they pass the county home,” the resolution states.

Coffland made a motion to accept the resolution, Commissioner Don Bethel seconded the motion. Commission Dale Norris agreed, and the resolution was unanimously passed.

ODOT will post “No engine brake” signage outside the Cadiz facility at east mile marker 15.4 and west mile marker 15.5.

In other county news, Health Department Administrator Garen Rhome gave his weekly coronavirus update to commissioners.

As of Tuesday, the county has 13 confirmed cases, 11 recoveries and one death. Rhome said there is currently one active case in the county although prior reports suggested there were two new positive cases.

“We have one active case. I indicated over the weekend that we went up to 14 (confirmed cases) but we actually transferred that individual to another county.

“They are from this county, however they have not lived here for a couple months,” he said.

On Sunday, the health department reported a 14th case in the county, however the case was later transferred to another unspecified county’s listing due to the individual no longer residing in Harrison County.