More water work

DUNKIRK - Efforts are continuing to improve the quality of city water here.

Dunkirk council members unanimously approved an agreement Monday with Water Solutions Unlimited Inc., Franklin, to begin a process of adding polyphosphate chemicals to the water to mask iron in city water.

Water Solutions president Nick Stanley explained the process to council members Monday night and answered questions from council members and the audience.

Stanley said that his firm will assist the city in filing the necessary paperwork to secure an Indiana Department of Environmental Management permit before the process can begin.

Stanley said he had previously met with Judy Garr, council member in charge of the water department, and she invited his firm to send a representative to Monday night's meeting.

"This is just a temporary answer to your dirty water problems," Stanley said, adding that a new water plant will still be needed. Also he encouraged the city to proceed with its plans to clean out the interior of the city water reservoir tank, as this will complement the effectiveness of the polyphosphate sequestering process.

This process is designed "to keep up as best we can with the iron in the water," Stanley said, noting that Dunkirk water contains high amounts of iron, manganese and ammonia. The current condition of the Dunkirk water system "is just really kind of a mess - I hate to say it that way," Stanley told council members.

Cost for equipment to add the polyphosphates is $1,700.

The initial monthly cost for the chemicals will be $1,100, but that amount may decrease in the future, Stanley said, especially once the proposed new water plant is in operation.

The new water plant is still in the drawing board. City officials expect to advertise for bids on this project soon, but council members say they want to try some temporary measures to clear up rusty water problems which have plagued residents for the past several years.

Also as part of the water system improvements, a comprehensive hydrant flushing program will be implemented. Garr emphasized that the public will be warned before this hydrant-flushing procedure begins.

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

•Granted approval to a lease agreement between the city and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7081 for the use of the city-owned former Jay Emergency Medical Service base at 301 S. Main St.

The lease calls for the VFW to pay a rental fee of $1 a year and assume responsibility for all maintenance and repair work. The lease is for a 25-year period with a renewal clause or 25 years.

•Heard a report from Tom Johnson, councilman in charge of the parks department, that both the Glass Days Festival and Crown City Cruisers car show in the park went well. Johnson said he thought city residents should vote to decide whether Glass Days should continue to be held at the park or moved back to its previous downtown location once the Main Street reconstruction project is complete.

Also Johnson said the city pool is scheduled to open today, and all the necessary preparations were in place.

Johnson said there have been several acts of vandalism in the park recently.

•Approved reports from the Dunkirk Tax Abatement Advisory Committee, stating that Saint-Gobain Containers as well as SDP Corporation were in compliance with their tax abatement agreements with the city. Jay County Community Development director William Bradley presented these annual reports. The committee's recommendations to extend the tax abatement agreements, pending review in another year, was approved.

•Listened as councilman Eric Bowler endorsed the idea of having more cooperation between city departments. He said the city needs to create a new position of coordinator to supervise the operations of all city departments. Councilman Chuck Rife said he was in agreement with this concept, too. He added that perhaps the idea merited further discussion and review.

•Heard a report from Mayor Ron Hunt that he had appointed a new animal control officer - Dan Foster Jr. Hunt said that residents could contact Foster by calling the city police department.[[In-content Ad]]