Dunkirk to start watch

DUNKIRK — Break-ins have been a frequent problem. City officials have decided to take action.
Dunkirk City Council agreed Monday to implement a neighborhood watch program.
Council members also got updates on a planned sign replacement and paving projects, and renewed the city’s municipal insurance policy.
At the April 11 council meeting, residents expressed concern about several break-ins in their Moore Avenue neighborhood and asked the Dunkirk Police Department for help.
Police Chief Dane Mumbower said he had developed a neighborhood watch program that he gave to the city in the past, but it was never used. He presented that plan Monday at the mayor’s request after meeting with his staff.
“It would be great just to get people in the community involved. That starts at the mayor’s office, the city council, the police, everybody,” Mumbower said.
The program will include dividing the city into four areas and assigning neighborhood crime watch coordinators to be liaisons to the police department. There will also be block captains.
To begin, meetings for the four areas will be held as well as training to explain how to take descriptions of vehicles and suspects. Mumbower also suggested having neighborhood activities to facilitate city residents getting to know each other.
“It’s going to take the participation of all our citizens in the whole city to make it work,” Ritter said.
Council agreed at its last meeting to pay Display Craft $4,200 to revamp the sign at the corner of Indiana 67 and 167 that mentions the Glass Days Festival.
Ritter talked to the owners of the property where the sign is located to get their OK and clerk-treasurer Tina Elliott will check with the Department of Local Government and Finance to see if the sign can be paid with leftover funds the city is receiving from Indiana Department of Transportation. Of the $135,000 to be received, about $100,000 will be used to pave streets in the city.
Jack Robbins, who is in charge of the street department, said areas set to be paved include Hoover Street from Dunkirk City Park to the entrance of Ardagh glass factory, Washington Street from Ardagh to the railroad tracks, Center and North streets between Broad and Hoover streets, and Franklin and Meridian Streets between Commerce and Short streets.
Council agreed to renew its municipal insurance policy for city employees after Bob Brown of Barnum and Brown Insurance explained the policy in detail.
Brown said workman’s compensation is down $6,600 from last year and that the premium will be $60,271 for the year.
“I’m pleased with the numbers, the way they worked out,” Brown said.
He invited council members to stop in his office with any questions they might have on the policy.
In other business, Tom Johnson, Jesse Bivens, Bryan Jessup and Robbins, absent Lisa Street:
•Approved additional appropriations to increase the mayor’s promotional fund to $3,500.
•Made a water bill adjustment of $359.48 and approved a payment plan for a $432.00 bill for a resident at 349 Mt. Auburn St. because of an underground leak.
•Agreed to pay $181 membership to the Muncie/Delaware County Chamber of Commerce.
•Heard from Johnson, who oversees the parks department, that proceeds from a chicken noodle dinner at Mt. Tabor United Methodist Church during Glass Days will be used to purchase new seats for the toddler swing at Dunkirk City Park. He also said the city pool is drained and will be power washed today.
•Approved paying $5,937.91 to Utility Supply Company for riser rings for manhole covers.
•Heard that hydrant flushing will take place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 9 to 13. Water may be discolored during those times.
•Paid claims totaling $145,569.94.
•Tabled a request to close the alley behind the First American Baptist Church during Glass Days.