Sewer issue discovered (01/29/08)

DUNKIRK - By inserting a camera and dye into downtown sewer lines, city officials say they have uncovered an improper connection between city hall and a nearby bar.

Councilman Tom Johnson described the problem Monday by saying that after three days of tracking sewer lines, some of which were not on city maps, dye was inserted into sewer lines at the Second Chance Bar and Grill, 116 E. Commerce St.

Later that same day, the dye showed up in a catch basin for a sump pump in the basement of the city hall building, 131 S. Main St., just to the west of the bar.

Johnson said that the owners of the Second Chance have agreed to cooperate fully in fixing the problem.

Johnson said the sewer work could be delayed, depending on weather conditions.

City employees have been complaining about sewer odors and mold and mildew problems at city hall for the past several months.

The city clerk-treasurer's office is currently in the process of being moved to temporary quarters at 202 S. Main St. in a building owned by former mayor Grant Fager.

In addition to correcting the sewer problems, city officials are also advertising for bids to repair the city hall roof which has been leaking and contributing to mold and mildew problems, city officials said.

Not all the news at Monday night's council meeting was good, however.

Clerk-treasurer Jane Kesler pointed out that because the new trash collection contract with BestWay Disposal Company, approved at the beginning of the year, reflected an increase in rates from $7.59 per unit per month to $8.35 per unit per month for 2008, a rate increase will be passed onto city residents and businesses through water billing payment collections.

Kesler recommended that the city's current charge of $8 a unit should be increased to $8.75 a unit to cover the increased city expense.

Council members approved the plan unanimously, and Kesler said that the new rates will go into effect with the water billing notices for March.

Additional rate increases may be needed in future years, as the three-year BestWay contract calls for rate increases to $8.98 a unit and $9.65 a unit in the next two years.

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

•Agreed to seek a $50,000 planning grant for the downtown area, and contribute $5,500 in city matching funds toward the effort. This idea was proposed by the Dunkirk Improvement Committee as well as the Dunkirk Investment Group.

In order to qualify for such grant funds, city attorney William Hinkle explained that council members first had to pass a resolution declaring the downtown area between Franklin Street, North Street, Indiana Street and Jay Street as blighted.

According to the resolution, as prepared by Hinkle, "The downtown area has experienced a cessation of private investment since 1975 and ... widespread deterioration of downtown commercial buildings has taken place as evidenced by crumbling facades, broken or boarded windows, unrepaired vandalism, growth of vegetation, and presence of litter in and around many downtown commercial buildings."

Following a brief discussion, council members Johnson, Larry Smith, Craig Faulkner and Judy Garr voted in favor of the resolution. Councilman Raymond Pettus was not present at the meeting.

•Authorized city insurance coverage for the annual Glass Days Festival which will be held in Dunkirk City Park this year, due to the road construction work on Main Street (Ind. 167).

Festival dates will be May 27-31, Glass Days committee member Roberta Garringer said. Plans call for locating the large carnival rides on Hoover Street between the West Jay Community Center and Dunkirk City Pool, she pointed out.

•Approved an expense of $300 to rent two booths at the upcoming Jay County Chamber of Commerce Business Expo and Home Show on March 8 and 9 at Jay County High School.

City librarian Ailesia Franklin made this request, noting that the city of Dunkirk was not represented at the last Jay County Expo and she felt this was very sad.

"I want people to know that Dunkirk is not dead," Franklin said.

She also volunteered to serve as coordinator for the project and asked that area businesses and civic organizations contact her at the library if they wished to provide some display items for the booths.

•Heard a report from water department superintendent Dace Mumbower that sometime in the next few days, a 12-inch water main will be connected to newly-installed mains along Main Street. This will cause a significant drop in water pressure, and he urged residents to listen to local radio stations for more details about exact dates and times. Weather conditions will be a factor in when this work can be done, Mumbower said.[[In-content Ad]]