Franklin Park voters are being asked if the village should ban fruit trees as part of its rodent abatement program.
The advisory referendum appears with two other advisory questions on the November ballot. The results of all three referendums are non-binding.
In addition to the question about fruit trees, voters will be asked if Franklin Park should strengthen enforcement of parking regulations and if the village should decrease the speed limit on Franklin Avenue between Ruby and Edgington streets from 25 mph to 20 mph to improve pedestrian safety.
The village has embarked on a rodent abatement program, which includes hiring Orkin to set and regularly maintain about 350 rodent bait boxes throughout town.
“Bait boxes alone will not fix the problem, and the only way to solve the problem is for homeowners to eliminate all sources of food and places (for rodents) to breed on their property,” a village representative wrote in an email responding to questions about the referendum question.
In a video posted on the village’s website, residents are encouraged to keep garbage can lids closed and harvest fresh fruit and vegetables from their gardens to eliminate food sources for rodents. The village also noted it would ticket residents whose lawn grass is taller than six inches.
Although Franklin Park officials were unaware of any organized opposition to any of the referendum questions, the measure regarding fruit trees has drawn mixed reviews from residents on a local Facebook group, with some opposed to additional restrictions on private property.
In its email, the village said it had heard from homeowners related to the need to strengthen parking enforcement and speeding along Franklin Avenue.
“These advisory referendums are a way to gauge voters’ concerns so appropriate action can be considered,” the village said in an email.
Alicia Fabbre is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
More Top Picks Best Laundry Pod