Council OK’s loan for grocery store

DUNKIRK — The owner of a local grocery store will receive a loan to fund an expansion.
Dunkirk City Council on Monday approved a loan for Steve George, owner of George’s Variety & Tanning, 1059 S. Main St., for $25,000.
The money will come from funds Indiana Glass gave the city to fund economic development. George plans to move his current grocery store to the old Family Dollar Store.
“I just want to thank Steve for taking an interest in Dunkirk,” councilman Judy Garr said.
The money will be used to buy a deli case, shelving, freezers and a walk-in cooler.
“It’s going to be quite an undertaking,” George said.   
George originally borrowed $16,000 from Dunkirk Development Corporation and has paid back all but $3,455.84. The $25,000 loan will be rolled into the old loan, and George will be given a check for $21,544.16 at 4 percent interest to be paid back in five payments over five years.
Dunkirk mayor Dan Watson told council the first blighted home was torn down at 219 N. Indiana St. and the inspection went well.
“They gave us the green light to go ahead, so you’ll start seeing the rest of these eight houses tore down,” Watson said.
The next house scheduled for demolition is at 324 Shatto St.
Council member Jesse Bivens gave an update on repairs to leaks at the Dunkirk Wastewater Treatment Plant. Employees are to clamp one leak at the head works building and Fleis & Vandenbrink Engineering has agreed to take care of the remaining work.
“We really just have a few things that aren’t right,” Bivens said.
In other business, council members, Tom Johnson, Lisa Street, Jack Robbins, Garr and Bivens:
•Amended the reading schedule of water meters to be the on the 15th of each month. If the 15th falls on a Saturday, meters will be read on the preceding Friday. If it falls on a Sunday, they will be read on the following Monday.
•Approved giving the Dunkirk Wastewater Treatment Plant permission to accept waste from Redkey when the town is constructing its new plant. The fee will be decided at a later time.   
•Agreed on a payment plan for a water bill of $210.44 at 721 N. Hickory St. Three payments of $70 will be paid over three months in addition to the current bill.
•Tabled a request for a water bill adjustment at 342 E. Center St. following a leak. The problem has been fixed, but it will take a few meter readings to get an average bill. The homeowner will pay the overdue amount of $166.70 to avoid shut-off.
•Paid claims totaling $163,053.63.