Water issues heard (03/10/2009)

DUNKIRK - Residents poured out complaints about city water during a lengthy hearing Monday night that is a prelude to applying for $600,000 in grant funds to help fix the problems.

Speakers described and displayed examples of concerns ranging from plumbing problems to discolored clothes that have been caused by Dunkirk water described by city officials and residents as being extremely high in iron content.

The city is in the process of applying for a $600,000 grant through the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs. Jay County community developer Ami Huffman chaired Monday's public hearing. She is preparing the grant application that must be submitted by Friday.

About 30 residents attended the hearing.

Just two of five council members were present for the hearing and the subsequent Dunkirk City Council session, leaving the council without the quorum necessary to conduct business.

Council representatives Judy Garr and Tom Johnson were present Monday, but councilmen Raymond Pettus, Craig Faulkner and Larry Smith were absent.

Huffman said not having a majority of council members present for the hearing would not affect the grant process.

She added that other public hearings for similar projects have also been conducted by her office without a quorum of the governing body being present.

During the hearing, Huffman took some photographs of discolored clothing and accepted seven letters presented to her by Garr in favor of the grant.

Dunkirk resident and businessman Michael Shannon spoke out at the hearing, saying in just the last week he had spent about $250 on faucets and other plumbing repairs as a result of the city water.

Shannon added, "Sometimes the water is so discolored, that you don't even want to use it to wash your hands."

Several residents said they were routinely using bottled water for drinking and cooking purposes.

Connie Whetsel, a Dunkirk resident who was formerly the city council member in charge of supervising the water department, said that she agreed steps should be taken to improve the city water. "I know what we went through during the two terms when I was on the council in charge of the water department," she said, describing the city water quality as "horrible."

Adding to those comments was John Faulkner whose family lives at 371 S. Broad St. in a home less than three years old. The toilets and sinks are discolored, and the hot water heater can no longer be drained because it is plugged with sediment from the city water, Faulkner said.

He added that the water routinely comes out of the faucets orange in color whether there is a water main break in the area or not.

"We experience orange water on a daily basis," he said, adding that water in a shallow swimming pool for his children makes it difficult to see the bottom.

Also present at the hearing was local Culligan representative Jeff Mosier who said he has tested the Dunkirk city water at several homes and found it to have a hardness rating well above the state average. "This is an extreme situation," he said.

Mosier added that he thought city officials were on the right track in replacing underground water mains in addition to straightening out the water plant. "A lot of what you are getting is coming from the pipes," he said.

Huffman said that additional comments from residents would be welcome in the form of letters after the hearing. "Your comments are more important than anything I can write," she said.

City water department superintendent Dace Mumbower said the plant is way past due for replacement even though it is only about 10 years old. Mumbower said he is tired of having his department taking the rap for the poor quality water. It is time we were taken off "the chopping block," he said.

Although no official action or council votes could be taken Monday, several topics were discussed.

City officials:

•Heard a report by Kesler that she is in the process of correcting several points raised in the 2008 city audit. She noted that she has already personally reimbursed the city $919 in penalties and interest to the Internal Revenue Service for late payment of payroll withholding taxes in 2007.

Hunt and Garr thanked Kesler for her report and said they would take it under advisement for further review and discussion at a later time.

•Set a special meeting for Friday at 3 p.m. to consider payment of claims.

•Discussed a proposal from Dunkirk-Redkey Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7081 to lease the former Jay Emergency Medical Services building at the southeast corner of Main and Washington Streets.

Representing the VFW Post, Shannon said the members would like the lease to cover a long period of time such as 50 years.

Shannon said the VFW members were open to more discussion, however, and council members said they wanted to study the matter further.

•Noted that the new date to begin reading water meters for billing purposes is the first business day of the second week of each month. Garr said that due to this change in procedure city residents will be receiving a three-week water bill in April with the regular four-week cycle starting up again for the May billing period.

•Learned that Zach Crouch had been appointed by Mayor Hunt to serve as the city's new animal control officer. The position had formerly been held by Charles "Butch" Parfitt, who recently submitted his resignation. Crouch said that he planned to be available for calls on a seven-day-a-week, 24-hour basis. The mayor said Crouch could be contacted through the city police department. Crouch will receive a salary of $115 a week.[[In-content Ad]]