Snow debate heated

DUNKIRK — Debate about how to pay for the cost of removing snow and ice from city streets and sidewalks heated up Monday night’s council meeting.
“We cleared the walks because it had to be done,” Eric Bowler, councilman in charge of the street department, said after the meeting concerning Dunkirk’s efforts to clear city roadways and sidewalks along the length of Main Street (Ind. 167) as well.
Paying overtime, hiring some extra help and renting special equipment — including a Bobcat and extra backhoe — was necessary to clear the sidewalks along the state highway for pedestrians, especially children, Bowler said.
It was done for safety purposes, he emphasized.
But during the meeting, councilman Chuck Rife questioned whether the possibility of federal reimbursement for storm-related costs had been explored before committing to the spending.
The cooperation between city departments during recent snow and ice emergencies was also praised by council members. Employees from the water, sewage and street departments all pitched in to the tune of $18,250 worth of manpower and equipment to handle the winter weather emergencies.
This amount included $2,370 to rent two backup generators to be sure the water department would be able to function in case of a power outage such as occurred during the 2005 ice storm.
The generators were on standby at the water plant for several days, city officials said. It was a precaution, and “I’m glad we didn’t have to use them,” Judy Garr, council member in charge of the water department, said.
Mayor Ron Hunt and Bowler said the city is applying to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for reimbursement of the funds. However, there is no guarantee the request will be approved.
Otherwise Hunt said the funds for the street and sidewalk clean-up work will need to come from the city street department budget. Payment for the generator rental, if required, would come from the water utility fund.
Councilman Chuck Rife questioned whether FEMA had been asked about the possibility of making such a reimbursement before the work was done, but his questions went unanswered Monday night, with Hunt saying that he had approved the action. Bowler said, “With all the ice, no one else was able to do it.”
Hunt added, “I think everyone worked together well.”
But Rife asked, “How do we pay for this, if FEMA doesn’t reimburse the city?” Hunt responded, “We will take it out of the street department budget.”
Bowler added, “Yes, it had to be done.” Also Bowler said that he felt the city should consider purchasing its own Bobcat in the future or perhaps a large snowblower.
The rental fee for the Bobcat was $1,500, city officials said.
In other business at Monday night’s meeting, council members:
•Heard a report from Hunt that state officials had approved the city’s application to close off Ind. 167 in the downtown area for the Glass Days Festival on June 1-4. Work is proceeding to upgrade electrical service in the downtown area to move this spring’s festival from Dunkirk City Park to the downtown, he added.
•Approved the appointment of Susie McCombs and Jesse Bivens to the Dunkirk Foundation board of directors, as requested by foundation representative Chuck Huffman.
•Discussed the possibility of entering into a 10-year preventive maintenance and repair agreement with Leary Construction Co., Greenfield, regarding the city’s water reservoir tank. The proposed cost would be $9,800 annually. Council members referred the proposal to city attorney Bill Hinkle for further study and review.
•Directed Hinkle to pursue legal efforts to have an abandoned structure at 336 Mt. Auburn Avenue demolished.   
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