Major work on tap?

DUNKIRK - Options for major repairs and renovation work for the city's wastewater treatment plant - with potential costs ranging from several hundred thousand dollars to $1.8 million - were discussed at Monday night's council meeting.

An overview of needs at the plant was presented by engineer Edward Biskis of Fleis & VandenBrink Engineering Inc., Indianapolis, at the request of Chuck Rife, councilman in charge of the wastewater treatment department.

There was no action, only discussion, by council members.

Biskis presented options for financing and the possibility of securing $1 million in grant funds - a process he noted is highly competitive.

The most immediate problem is the fact that only one of the plant's two large digester pumps is currently working, along with the need to improve the sludge removal process.

Rife said if some preventative maintenance procedures are not taken, the city could be facing expensive, emergency repair work in the future.

City clerk-treasurer Jane Kesler said that the first priority project needing attention concerns upgrading sludge removal; the approximate cost for those repairs is $300,000.

"The potential liability associated with not taking action to solve problems known to us could subject us to very serious consequences in the future should we have a catastrophic failure. We could be subject to severe financial penalties," Rife said.

In other business Monday night council members:

•Elected Rife to serve as council president, replacing Craig Faulkner who has served in that post for the past several years. The council president presides over the meetings when the mayor is absent.

•Heard a report from Kesler that the city may need to raise the trash collection fee the city collects through its water billing system. Kesler said Dunkirk is entering the third year of its 3-year contract with BestWay Disposal Company.

She pointed out that the contract calls for a 90-cent increase in trash collection fees per unit in the third year. Currently the city is billing $8.75 a unit while the new contract rate will be $9.65 a unit. This matter was tabled for further study.

•Listened to Garr say that preparations are on schedule for advertising of bids for the city's water system improvements. Garr said she was continuing to meet with the city's consulting engineers about the project.

•Discussed the need for a handicapped parking space in the area of Dunkirk City Public Library, Washington and Franklin Streets.

•Heard Garr say that due to weather conditions, residents will be receiving estimated utility bills.

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