Dunkirk wants new lights (04/29/08)

DUNKIRK - City officials are proceeding with plans to install decorative, historic-style street lighting in the downtown area.

At Monday night's city council meeting, $3,600 in Dunkirk's Economic Development Income Tax (EDIT) funds were allotted to cover the cost of an electrical engineering study and related work to allow for design services for future placement of the necessary conduit and electrical service boxes to accommodate such lighting fixtures, as the state proceeds with its Ind. 167 (Main Street) improvement project through Dunkirk.

Plans call for installing the specialty lighting fixtures along Main Street between Jay and Center Streets, as well as possibly on some of the nearby side streets such as West Commerce Street near the Dunkirk Post Office and American Legion Post.

The $3,600 figure will cover $2,600 to Shepherd Engineering Service, Greenfield, and $1,000 for the coordination of the project and related work by Rundell Ernstberger Associates, a landscape architecture and urban design firm in Muncie, Deane Rundell told city council members Monday night.

Council member Judy Garr introduced the motions to approve the proposal and pay for the work with EDIT funds. They were both seconded by councilman Craig Faulkner, and approved unanimously.

Rundell Ernstberger was the firm selected by the city to prepare a redevelopment plan for Dunkirk's downtown as part of a grant proposal.

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

•Tabled a request by Ailesia Franklin of the Dunkirk Improvement Committee concerning putting decorative benches in the downtown area until the overall downtown design plan is complete. Franklin said the improvement committee was in the process of applying for a grant from the Dunkirk Foundation to pay for the benches which would be made from recycled steel. Franklin said the benches could be placed in Dunkirk City Park or Webster-Depot Park, instead of the downtown area if the council preferred.

•Heard a report from Police Chief Dane Mumbower that city health and safety codes relating to abandoned vehicles, tall weeds, trash and improperly parked cars were going to be strictly enforced as an effort to make Dunkirk more attractive. Also Mayor Ron Hunt requested that people wanting special pickups of large items should refrain from placing the unwanted items at the curb a month in advance of the pickup time. Hunt said such pickups could be more accurately scheduled by calling the city clerk's office in advance.

•Listened to councilman Tom Johnson report that Dunkirk City Pool is scheduled to open at the beginning of June on the weekend after the Glass Days Festival.

He added that 40 people had submitted applications for summer employment at the pool and park, and the interview process would be starting soon.

•Heard a report from city water department superintendent Dace Mumbower, calling for an increase in water service reconnection fees from the current rate of $15 to $35 which is the rate which Albany charges. This suggestion was referred to city attorney William Hinkle for study and the possible preparation of a new ordinance.[[In-content Ad]]