Recap given for Dunkirk (01/09/07)

DUNKIRK - A brief recap of notable events for the city in 2006 and future projects planned for 2007 was presented to council members here Monday night by Mayor Sam Hubbard.

Topping the list of positive 2006 events were the acquisition of the former Pennsylvania Railroad Depot building, fulfilling residency requirements for the Quincy Place subdivision grant, planting a large number of small trees in Dunkirk City Park, and decorating the park with festive lights during the holiday season, the mayor reported.

Other positive points of action in 2006 included the construction of a Habitat for Humanity of Jay County house in the community, cleaning up several abandoned properties, the purchase of the West Jay Clinic by Jay County Hospital, and application for a grant to build a combined Dunkirk Fire Station and Jay Emergency Medical Service facility, the mayor said.

Included on the mayor's list of future projects for 2007 were continued work to upgrade the city's water plant and the quality of Dunkirk's drinking water, construction of another Habitat for Humanity house this summer, and preparations for the Ind. 167 highway improvement project through town.

Other future plans include continued efforts to obtain the fire station-EMS facility grant with help from Ami Huffman, community developer with the Jay County Development Corporation, Hubbard pointed out.

The mayor added that he is also interested in pursuing the possibility of establishing a bicycle and walking trail between the Depot building and Dunkirk City Park, and possibly extending that trail as far as Redkey in the future.

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

•Accepted the resignation of Robert Bicknell as part-time city health and safety officer. Bicknell said he planned to continue his duties as a dispatcher with the city police department, but wanted to cut back on some of his other commitments. The resignation is effective immediately.

•Reviewed a list of council assignments and supervisory positions, presented by Hubbard. The list is the same as last year's.

Council member department head assignments include: Wastewater, Larry Smith; water, Connie Whetsel; streets, Jim Doughty; fire department, Craig Faulkner; park department and swimming pool, Tom Johnson; and police department, Hubbard.

Departmental supervisors are: Water department, Dace Mumbower; wastewater, Greg Buckner; street, Howard Fisher; fire department, Steve Fields; and police, Arnold Clevenger.

•Voted to abstain on the question of should Dunkirk join a county-wide chamber or continue the status quo of just having a Dunkirk Area Chamber of Commerce. Jay County community developer Ami Huffman requested that the council take a stand on this issue which is under consideration in the local business community.

•Heard a report from Deputy Fire Chief Farrel Wells that the city's 1980 backup fire department pumper truck was once again down for repairs. He said it needs extensive engine work.

•Voted to grant another year's extension to a $20,000 loan from the city's wastewater fund to the water department.

•Approved re-appointments for Phil Ford, Tammy Boltz and Dru Hall to the West Jay Community Center board of directors.[[In-content Ad]]