Berwyn residents are becoming increasingly concerned about the city's rodent problem. | Svetozar Cenisev/Unsplash
Berwyn residents are becoming increasingly concerned about the city's rodent problem. | Svetozar Cenisev/Unsplash
Residents of the city of Berwyn attended the Sept. 13 City Council meeting to talk about and hear updates on the rodent issue.
Berwyn residents Sylvana and John Peconio came out to the meeting to discuss the rodent problem in the area. They had more than 90 signatures on a letter about the current state of the 2nd Ward. They said they could no longer enjoy their front or back porches due to the rodents, were unable to control the problem with bait or traps, and were even unable to solve the issue with an exterminator.
Resident Andrew Sullivan also came to the meeting to discuss the rodents. As a landlord of multiple apartments across the city, he noted that the problem is not just in the 2nd Ward but all over the city. He said his budget for rodent control is at least 10% of what the City spends, which feels like an issue. He also commented that there isn’t enough communication between residents and the City over the matter.
Alderman Robert Pabon addressed the council and the community in terms of the future plans for the problem. He said that they would be holding a meeting soon about bringing in a consultant who could address the issue with a real plan. There will also be a meeting with the health district so that everyone can collaborate on the issue and learn the correct methods for dealing with it.
"I just want to let the council know, as many of you have been watching and listening and attending meetings, we've been meeting for months now, talking to stakeholders, the different folks within the work, whether it's waste management residents, folks who are affected by the rat issue here in our community and listening to people's concerns," Pabon said.
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