Council to buy watch radios

DUNKIRK — The neighborhood watch program will soon be getting more assistance.
Dunkirk City Council agreed to purchase radios that will be issued to residents after health and safety officer Rick Buckner gave a demonstration.
Council also heard an update on blighted properties and passed a resolution regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Buckner said three Dunkirk businesses have agreed to donate $300 each for the purchase of the radios that will cost $1,000. The radios would be available at Dunkirk Police Department and could be checked out by members of the newly formed Neighborhood Watch Program.
He also gave a demonstration of security cameras that could be used at city parks and other areas to help deter crime. The cameras cost $30 each, have a range of about 300 feet and transmit via the internet.
Council agreed to move forward with the radios, but tabled a decision on the cameras until the next meeting. Council member Jesse Bivens asked everyone to think about issue.
Dunkirk city attorney Wes Schemenaur plans to check on the legality of placing cameras in public places.
Council member Jack Robbins said all nine properties on which blighted homes were torn down last year have been sold. Seven properties sold for $400, one for $1,000 and one for $1,300. Council approved the sale of the properties.
Council also approved adding a property at 327 W. Commerce into the blight program to be torn down next spring.
Council also gave approval to allow Dunkirk Industrial Development Corporation to sell two lots at 902 S. Franklin St. for $300 each to Maddox Family Dental Center, 129 W. Oak St. The owner plans to tear down the house, expand the business and make a bigger parking lot.
Mayor Gene Ritter signed a resolution about the Americans with Disabilities after it was approved by council members Bivens, Bryan Jessup, Tom Johson, Robbins and Lisa Street.
The resolution will allow residents to fill out a grievance form if they aren’t able to access certain areas in the city. Mitch Hansel of Fleis & Vandenbrink Engineering is completing a study of areas that need to be handicapped accessible.
In other business, council:
• Heard from Jessup that an awards ceremony and dinner for Dunkirk Volunteer Department will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday at Dunkirk Elks.
•Signed an ordinance to raise trash fees to $11.80. The 22-cent raise was approved at the last council meeting.
•Amended a parking ordinance to allow Dunkirk Police Department and the board of safety to make parking changes in the city. Changes need to be published in the newspaper first.
•Amended the wording on an ordinance for truck traffic in the city. Trucks are allowed on truck routes only.
•Approved paying $815 for a locater from Utility Supply Company for Dunkirk Water Department.
•Set a tentative date of Friday for an executive session with H J Umbaugh & Associates to discuss the 2017 budget and to explain how monthly bank statements are needed first before accounts can be reconciled.
•Heard the street department has cut trees down on North, Meridian and Elm streets.
•Heard sewer work is completed in the first block of Layne Addition.
•Approved paying $584.20 to Greens Fork Alignment & Service for a Dunkirk Police Department car.
•Heard from Tom Johnson that mums will be planted in pots in the  downtown area from the Dunkirk Beautification Committee and trees will be planted at Dunkirk City Park and Webster Depot Park.
•Heard from the mayor that Dunkirk Fire Department fire contracts for 2017 have been sent to Richland, Jackson and Niles (in Blackford County) townships.The Knox Township contract won't be sent until Ritter and council member Bryan Jessup meet with Knox trustee Joe Gutshall. 
•Set trick or treat hours for 5:30 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31.
•Agreed to donate $200 to West Jay Community Center.
•Transferred $137.90 for an error on pensions that began in February.  
•Approved a water bill adjustment for Margaret Hall for $124.84; a three-month payment plan for a water bill of $637.30 for a rental property of Brad Williams due to a leak; and allowing Julia Moles to make $175 monthly payments to pay $190.88 owed for a leak that will also include her monthly bill.     
•Paid claims totaling $338,153.50.