by Madelyn Fogarty

madelynfogarty@yahoo.com

Regulations around mobile homes and mobile home parks are being reviewed following a tornado that swept through Dwight on June 5.

At its June 14 session, the Dwight Village Board of Trustees heard reports on damage resulting from the tornado that demolished a trailer park on Dwight’s west side as it cut a path through the village.  Village officials indicated that with the pending rebuild of the mobile home park, now is a good time to enact some special ordinances.

The ordinance being sent to committee for review could require each mobile home park within the village to have a basement storm shelter located within a building in the mobile home park. Another proposed requirement would not allow a mobile home to be placed in a mobile home park if the date of manufacture of the mobile home is more than five years prior to the placement of the mobile home in the mobile home park. These and other mobile home ordinance proposals will be reviewed by the ordinance committee with recommendations presented to the village board for approval at a future board meeting. Should new regulations be approved for mobile homes and mobile home parks, existing homes and parks would also need to comply with the new ordinance.

A review of the tornado aftermath indicated that thirteen people were reported injured with six taken to the hospital; one with critical injuries. Eighty homes were damaged in Dwight. As of the board meeting date, there were 24 displaced families with ten having found housing; two living in hotels; one hospitalized; and the remainder staying with family.  Whether Federal Disaster Aid monies would be available was still undetermined.

As post tornado cleanup and repair efforts continue, village residents were cautioned to be careful to make sure contractors requesting work are legitimate and have a village permit.  Approximately 29 different companies have registered with the village so far.

Mayor Bill Wilkey commended all of the utility, service providers, organizations along with the efforts of local and area community members and groups who came together to provide assistance following the storm.

“It was a lot of people working together to clean up a mess,” said Wilkey.

Police Chief Tim Henson also shared praise and expressed his thanks.  According to Chief Henson, no looting took place in the village during the turmoil which can be common during disaster situations in a community.

“Never have I been more proud to say I am a citizen of Dwight,” said Henson. “Our community is a class act.”

The village will be hosting meetings to review what went well and what can be improved upon should a disaster situation arise again in the future.  Unlimited gar-bage pickup will be available in Dwight through Friday, June 25.

        In another community spirited matter, the board approved an Impact Dwight proposal for beautification of the Village train depot.

A private party has donated $50,000 to the Dwight Community Foundation started by Impact Dwight specifying the money be used to update and redo the landscaping around the depot.  Rodney Connor of Impact Dwight offered a story behind the donation and request for use.

“In England, the station masters would take care of train stations,” explained Connor. “Years ago, that was thought to be a way people determined where they might want to live – as trains stopped at different towns, a place that had a more attractive train station might attract people to live there.”

That Perennial Place from Morris has designed the new depot landscaping.  In addition, the asphalt under the depot awning will be removed and pavers will be placed.  Cost of the project is approximately $35,000 with $15,000 held in reserve for maintenance.  The project is expected to be completed by the end of summer.

In other matters, the board:

• offered a moment of silence to honor Township Supervisor Tony Thorsen who passed away June 10.

• approved a liquor license request from Sue Michaels who is planning to open a Mexican Grill at 114 S. Franklin Street .

• approved a donation request of $600 to towards the Harvest Days Kiddie Carnival which is run by New Life Assembly of God Church.

• granted permission for the 2nd annual Team Taylor Classic Car Show to be held at Renfrew Park on July 10 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. with proceeds donated to American Cancer Society.

• approved a sound amplification permit for use at 100A Susan Drive on June 27 from 6 -8 p.m.

• approved the annual prevailing wage ordinance.

The next meeting of the Dwight Village Board will be Monday, June 28, at 6 p.m. in the Public Services Complex.