The Commercial-News, Danville, IL

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May 16, 2008

Tall grass troubles Tilton

Village Board OKS landlord registry

BY KIM LUTTRELL

TILTON — Tilton Mayor David Phillips told trustees on Thursday night that tall grass is becoming a problem in the village.

“We are having a big problem with a lot of houses this spring not keeping their lawns mowed,” Phillips said.

“I believe the problem is with an increased number of foreclosures and with more rental property in the village.”

“These landlords feel that the problem is with the tenants, not them,” Phillips told the trustees.

“However, ultimately it is the landlord’s responsibility,” Phillips said.

Police Chief Mike Schull said he has been tracking down landlords and is issuing citations for ordinance violations.

“The ordinance says the grass cannot be over 6-inches tall,” Schull said. “It is a $100 fine plus court costs”

Schull said ultimately the courts have decided the property owner is responsible if the tenant doesn’t take care of the problem.

“Most of these rental properties are owned by a handful of landlords,” Phillips said.

However, if the village is unable to track down the property owner, village employees will go in and mow the property. There will be a charge of $25 an hour if village employees have to mow a property.

Trustees gave approval for Phillips to have the village attorney draw up an ordinance to have landlords register their rental properties in the village.

This will allow the village to get in touch with landlords faster if a problem arises with one of their properties.

In other action, trustees:

-- Approved the following appointments to the zoning commission: Bob Finley, Gene Grubb, Carroll Wernighk, Tom Hendricks, Orick Nightlinger, Bud Shaw, Jerry Bennett, Ronald Sbertoli and Tom Hedenberg.

-- Approved a contract change for Cross Construction.

Cross Construction will now completely resurface the streets that were torn up during sewer line installation.

Previously they were to patch only where they had dug up the street.

The total paid to Cross will be $219,000, which includes sewer line installation and the street resurfacing.

-- Approved purchasing T-shirts from Apparel Unlimited for $1,524 to be donated to the ambulance service to use during the Red Neck Games and Events fundraiser.

The fundraiser will be July 26-27 and will include the Red Neck Games, karaoke and a street dance.

Proceeds will be used to purchase equipment for the ambulance service.

WHAT’S NEXT

The Tilton Village Board will meet at 6 p.m. June 19 at the village office.

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