Street talk heats up in Dunkirk

DUNKIRK — Questions about on street repair sparked a sometimes-heated discussion Monday that sparked a member of the city council to walk out.
No action was taken on the issue, and it looks like there will be plenty of roadblocks to navigate before solutions are found.
Obviously frustrated, councilman Eric Bowler, who at one time supervised the city street department, declared, “We can’t even get the roads fixed,” and left the council chambers while the meeting was still in progress.
“I’m out of here,” Bowler said, adding: “If you have something for me to do, Ron (referring to Dunkirk Mayor Ron Hunt), call me.”
Resident Scott Clevenger, 624 Lincoln Ave., initiated the discussion about repairing areas where city streets had been damaged during water main repairs. He said repairs on Lincoln Avenue were completed several months ago, but sections of the street are filled with gravel, creating dusty and bumpy conditions for residents and motorists in the area.
Clevenger said he wanted to know who was responsible for street repairs, and he questioned if the mayor could make that decision.
However, council member Judith Garr pointed out that any expenditure more than $500 required council approval.
She said funds for these repairs should come from the water department budget.
There have been numerous water main breaks over the past few years, and the water department lacks funds to make all the repairs.
These type of street repair problems “are all over town — not just on Lincoln Avenue,” said Street Superintendent Howard Fisher, who said some repairs have been waiting for three or four years.
The real issue is “we don’t have a coherent plan,” councilman Chuck Rife said.
“Is there a light at the end of the tunnel?” Clevenger asked.
However, there was no immediate answer, except from Rife who commented — “As you can see it’s a contentious subject here.”
Clevenger countered, “I’m not trying to ruffle feathers. I just want to get my street fixed.”
Following more discussion, Dunkirk resident and Democratic Party leader Pam Bunch said, “Don’t you think this has gone on long enough? We elected you to serve us. If you don’t want to do that:  Resign — all of you. You’re embarrassing us,” she added.
Bowler added, “Howard Fisher knows what roads need to be paved. We bring it up and it gets shot down,” referring to previous attempts to set some priorities on fixing city streets. Bowler said that while he was the council member in charge of city streets, he brought back quotes for repair work to the council for consideration three times, but action was never taken.
One positive note Monday involved the city’s new water plant.
Since the plant was activated earlier this month, city officials said they have noticed improved water quality and increased water pressure.
Garr said she has received calls from residents congratulating the city on its efforts.
Fisher, who serves as water superintendent, reported that the changeover to the new water plant is going well.
“It’s exciting,” Garr added, noting: “We hope to see some remarkable improvements.”
Garr and Fisher said residents should be patient as plans call for cleaning the city’s water reservoir tank this week. That will likely stir up some iron temporarily in city water.
City hydrants will be flushed June 27-July 1, between 7 a.m. and 3 a.m., stirring up more rusty water. They advised residents to check water conditions before doing any laundry during this time period.
In other action, council members:
•Approved spending up to $3,400 to have Hanlin Well Drilling of Pennville repair and put the city’s well No. 2 back in service.
•Heard from John Ireland, 394 S. Broad St., who said a private contractor hired by the city during the water improvement project work had torn up portions of his property and he was still waiting to have it restored. Council members said they have been in contact with that contractor, RCM Excavating, about making those repairs and others along Moore Avenue.
•Noted that the Dunkirk City Pool opened Monday. Hours are noon to 6 p.m.[[In-content Ad]]