Worth bans overnight parking of large vehicles on streets

Polar Plunge to be held Saturday at Altman Park

By Joe Boyle

An ordinance has been introduced in Worth to restrict overnight parking of large vehicles along public streets or village-owned property.

According to the ordinance, it will be unlawful to park or store any vehicle with an Illinois license plate classification higher than Class F between the hours of 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. This will include parking along alleys or parkways.

Mayor Mary Werner said this is an annual issue, especially after the heavy snowfalls that occurred in February.

“We get calls from people every year about this,” Werner said during the Worth Village Board meeting on Tuesday night.

The mayor said they receive phone calls from residents who have a difficult time passing along snowy streets in which large vehicles are parked. This also prevents public works from plowing the snow from public streets.

“If these large vehicles are on public properties, that’s fine,” said Trustee Brad Urban. “But they will not be allowed to park on public streets overnight.”

Bus or school buses, tow trucks, road tractors, semitrailers (excluding delivery vehicles that are actively being loaded or unloaded) and truck tractors may not be parked from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. along public streets.

While large snowfalls bring in the calls, village officials want to put an end to these large vehicles parking along public streets throughout the year.

Werner said the owners of the large vehicles will be contacted and will have seven days to remove them from public streets. The mayor knows there are some difficulties ahead for some of these owners of these vehicles due to space.

“As you know we have many residences that have smaller lots where this is a problem,” Werner said.

An ordinance amending municipal boat permits was approved. The village has revised the permit regulations to adjust the time period during when a seasonal boat permit may be used. Revising permit regulations will reduce administrative burdens associated with seasonal boat permits, according to the ordinance.

A resolution was approved for a request to Cook County for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for 2022 in the amount of $400,000 for infrastructure and sewer improvements.

The board also authorized the expenditure of $10,997 for pollution insurance with Hartford for the Water’s Edge Golf Course.

A new phone system, First Comm, has been approved for the police department and the village hall. Village Clerk Bonnie Price said that First Comm, which is already serving the Water’s Edge Golf Course, will be more efficient and will save on costs.

The village is currently paying $1,620 for phone service. With First Comm, the payment is $670 for the phones and $459 for the fiber optic service. Initially, it will cost $10,997 to implement it. But she said the fee for the phones and the fiber optic it still less than they are paying now.

Fish Fry Fridays will begin March 4 at the Marrs-Meyer American Legion Post 991, 11001 S. Depot St. The Fish Fry Fridays will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. through April 15. The fee is $16 for adults and $10 for children ages 12 and under. Children under age 3 can attend free.

Cod, catfish, shrimp or chicken strips, soup and salad, bake potato or fires, coffee, tea, soft drinks and desserts will be served. Guests can dine in with local guidelines. No pre-orders will be taken. No doggy bags will be provided but possible carry-out service may be offered.

The annual Polar Plunge will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 5, at Altman Park, which is adjacent to the Terrace Centre at 115th and Beloit. Police officers will jump into a swimming pool that will be set up.

“We are not going to be jumping into the Cal Sag,” said Tim Denton, the Worth police chief, with a laugh. “I just want to make that clear.”

A business license was granted to Texas Chicken & Burgers, 11111 S. Harlem Ave., Unit E. This is the first business in Worth that Issa Khairallah has owned. Playground equipment will be removed from the back of the former daycare center for parking.