Dunkirk park will get swing for handicapped

DUNKIRK — A city park will get several new items, one to improve the experience for local residents and others to help prevent theft.
Dunkirk City Council on Monday learned Dunkirk City Park will be getting a new swing for handicapped citizens and more lighting will be added following a recent burglary.
Council also hired a local couple to handle leaf pick-up and got an update on the progress toward removing blighted homes.
Tom Johnson, councilman in charge of the parks, said Swings of Faith has donated $3,400, which came from a grant from The Portland Foundation, for the purchase of a swing that can accommodate a wheelchair for Dunkirk City Park.
“That’s pretty nice of them,” said Johnson. “I appreciate them getting that for us.”
He also informed council that the maintenance garage at the park was burglarized by prying open a door and bending the deadbolt lock. Drills, saws, socket sets and other tools were taken.
Johnson said insurance has a $1,000 deductible, so tools will be replaced a little at a time.
“We’ll do what we can right now,” he said.
Also workers have installed another security light at the garage in an effort to deter future thefts. Council also approved buying two overhead door panels for the garage from Menards for $176.06.
Kyle and Ashley Odom of Redkey were hired to pick up leaves at a cost of $2,100.
They will begin on Saturday and continue each Saturday in November. The leaves must be bagged and placed at the curb.
Councilman Jack Robbins, who also serves as health and safety officer and zoning administrator, noted that the sixth blighted home has been torn down at 349 W. Washington St.
Dunkirk was awarded an Indiana Hardest Hit Fund Blight Elimination grant of $176,000 in October 2014 to raze nine homes.
“He’s done an excellent job; properties look real good,” Mayor Dan Watson said of Tim Kesler of Kesler Excavating, which is handling the work.
In other business, Johnson, Robbins, Jesse Bivens and Judy Garr, absent Lisa Street:
•Received a bill from United Piping for work at the Dunkirk Wastewater Treatment Plant. Council agreed to have Fleis & Vandenbrink Engineering handle the bill since it did the original work at the plant. Plant superintendent Larry Wright will follow up with engineer Dave Harvey.
•Tabled hearing quotes for the replacement of roofs on well houses at Dunkirk Water Department.
•Heard the Dunkirk Police Department will pass out treats for Halloween from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday.