Asking for a meeting (03/24/2009)

DUNKIRK - Saying they have apparently been left out of the loop, city officials here agreed Monday to request a joint public meeting with representatives of the Jay County Regional Sewer District to discuss the district's plans to install sanitary sewer service between two housing developments near Dunkirk and the city's wastewater treatment plant.

City officials criticized the sewer district for holding meetings about the proposal on the Dunkirk City Council meeting night, and Mayor Ron Hunt said, "We need to set up a meeting and get some answers. We're in the dark on this."

Hunt said he had attended a public hearing in February, sponsored by the sewer district at the Dunkirk Elks Lodge on this topic, but he had to leave early because a regularly scheduled city council meeting was about to start at city hall.

"I think we should have a special joint meeting with all interested parties," Hunt said Monday night, responding to questions raised by rural Dunkirk area resident Phil Ford who lives in one of the affected areas.

The sewer district's proposal calls for installing sanitary sewer service to two areas near Dunkirk - the Willow Drive section and Skeens Addition.

The Willow Drive installation area is southeast of the city limits and includes portions of Arlington, Willow and Barbier Streets. The Skeens area is along county road 1150 West, north of county road 400 South. Ford lives in the latter area.

Indiana Department of Environmental Management officials have labeled both of these rural residential developments as problem areas where septic fields should be replaced or eliminated, sewer district officials report.

However, Ford questioned if the Dunkirk city wastewater treatment plant facilities could handle the increase in sewage from these homes and what would be the cost to the city and residents.

"What they are proposing to do is give you a 'free dog' and then asking you to feed it afterwards," Ford said.

Dunkirk city attorney William Hinkle and city wastewater treatment plant superintendent Tim Kesler both agreed that a joint meeting would be a good idea.

Hunt said that when a meeting date is set up, he would announce the time and place to the public.

In other business at Monday night's meeting, city council members:

•Tabled three proposals for paving work suggested by city street department superintendent Howard Fisher.

Fisher said he had received estimates totaling $32,700 for Hoover Street near the West Jay Community Center and city pool; $20,000 for Lincoln Avenue between Main and Meridian; and $33,800 for Lincoln Avenue from Meridian to Angle.

Council members said other city streets, including Pearl Street near Westlawn Elementary School, were also in need of repair, and possibly that paving that street should be a higher priority.

•Were told that the city's street sweeper was out of service, as a result of being damaged when a catch basin on West Pleasant Street collapsed underneath it.

Council members tabled making a decision on whether to repair or replace the city's 1988 street sweeper pending a review of cost estimates and how much the city's insurance might cover. Fisher pointed out that a nine-year-old reconditioned street sweeper was available for purchase at a cost of $67,500. The estimate for repairing the old one exceeded $10,000, he said.

In a related measure, council members approved a motion to authorize the city sewer department to repair the damaged catch basin. That work will require digging up a section of Pleasant Street, between Main and Franklin Streets.

•Learned that Hunt had appointed five members, including himself, to the city's Economic Development Committee. The others appointed include Sandy Crouch, Bryan Jessup, John Faulkner and city clerk-treasurer Jane Kesler as an ex-officio member.

•Set a special meeting for 5:30 p.m. Monday, March 30, to review plans related to proposed improvements for the city water plant.[[In-content Ad]]