Watson to hire a fill-in for clerk

DUNKIRK — The duties of the town’s clerk-treasurer will soon be handed over.
Dunkirk City Council granted Mayor Dan Watson permission to negotiate contracts to assist with the duties of clerk-treasurer after Phonnie Kesler resigned from the position. Her last day on the job will be Friday.
HR Unlimited Resources and Umbaugh and Associates are the two companies being considered.
Council also agreed on a 2-percent pay raise for all full-time employees to begin in 2016, while elected officials salaries will remain unchanged.
Firefighting contracts for the Dunkirk Volunteer Fire Department will also be increased by 3 percent for next year. Dunkirk has four separate contracts to provide fire protection to Jackson, Knox and Richland townships in Jay County and Delaware Township in Delaware County.
Milestone Contractors was chosen to do paving work in the city at a cost of $179,367.50. Paving is planned for all streets at Dunkirk City Park and in the Shadyside addition as well as Commerce Street, West Washington Street between Main and Angle streets, Eaton Pike from Main Street to Layne Drive and Hoover Street from Ardagh to West Jay Community Center.
Councilman Jack Robbins, who also serves as zoning administrator, said Verizon has laid the foundation and delivered a new tower to be installed at 825 East in rural Dunkirk, across from the I.O.O.F. Cemetery.
“I hope it helps,” Watson said, referring to cellular service in the city.
“It seems to have gotten worse,” Judy Garr added.
In other business, Robbins, Tom Johnson, Jesse Bivens and Garr, absent Lisa Street:
•Agreed to close the alley from behind St. Mary’s Catholic Church at 346 S. Broad St. through Moore Avenue. The alley is not lit and there have been thefts and vandalism.
•Approved paying $4,599 to Spears for work done at Dunkirk Community Pool and Coca-Cola $234.72 for providing drinks at the facility’s concession stand.
•Agreed to pay claims totaling $287,351.13.
•Granted the following water bill adjustments: the minimum of $45.18 from $582 for 619 N. Hickory St. because of an underground leak; monthly payments of $200 to pay a $908 bill at 105 grand St. because of an inside leak; the average of the last three water bills at 105 Grand St. because of a leak.