Plant bids almost ready

DUNKIRK - Bid specifications for the city's new water plant and related improvements should be ready for advertising next month, city council member Judy Garr reported Monday night.

City officials and representatives from The Schneider Corporation, consulting engineers for the city, met for a final inspection tour of the present water plant facilities earlier this month, and preparations are currently on schedule for the requesting bids for the new facility, Garr said.

"We are talking about having bid specifications ready in January, if everything falls in line," Garr said after Monday night's council meeting. This would mean awarding of the contract in late winter and work on the plant beginning in the spring.

The new plant will replace one that is only 10 years old.

The current plant, which uses ozone to treat the water, has been plagued with problems since opening. It has failed to remove high levels of iron oxidation (rust) from city water supplies.

The new plant will be more conventional in the way it treats water.

Garr said, "We want to get the type of plant Dunkirk deserves."

The plant and related projects will cost more than $2 million. The improvements will be funded by a $642,500 state grant and about $1.4 in bonds to be repaid by Dunkirk water customers.

In other business Monday, council members:

•Approved a 2 percent increase in township fire protection contracts, as recommended by Craig Faulkner, council member in charge of the fire department.

This will increase the 2009 amounts to $2,015 for Knox Township; $2,731 for Jackson Township in Blackford County; $2,046 for Niles Township in Delaware County; and $4,603 for Richland Township.

•Approved recommendations from Mayor Ron Hunt and councilman Eric Bowler, appointing a new animal control officer as well as a new health and safety officer.

Dunkirk resident Alan Brown was selected for the animal control officer post, a part-time position that pays $115 a week.

Jack Robbins of Dunkirk will serve as the new health and safety officer. This is also a part-time position paying $1,250 for approximately six months of work between May and October.

•Heard a report from Bowler about continuing efforts to upgrade the city's dog pound facility. Bowler said he is currently considering putting a large sign near the pound so residents will be able to find it more easily.

•Agreed to accept the lowest of three quotes for street paving work on Moore Avenue between Ind. 167 and Broad Street. E & B Paving of Muncie submitted the low quote of $37,430 for the project which will be done in the spring or summer after the city's water system improvements are complete. Moore Avenue has been the site of numerous water main breaks in the past few years and mains will be replaced in that area.

•Noted that the December Park Board meeting will be canceled. The next park board meeting is scheduled for 5:45 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 27, in city hall.

•Agreed to delay action until the next council meeting on a proposal to change parking regulations on Pearl Street, allowing for more time to prepare necessary legal documents.

•Approved a request by Shirley Garringer to make payments on a past due water bill account for a rental property which she owns at 651 N. Hickory St., allowing water service to be started for her new tenants.[[In-content Ad]]