Water leak policy continues to be Dunkirk issue

DUNKIRK — Residents still need to repair, document and verify underground water leaks before bills can be adjusted.  

Monday, Dunkirk City Council discussed the city’s water adjustment ordinance and the process residents need to go through to receive an adjustment.

During its March 12 meeting, council approved an ordinance that would change the steps residents need to follow. The new ordinance applied to underground water leaks only.  

The ordinance requires that residents must pay for the necessary repairs  to be made, provide photographic evidence to the city and have a water department employee verify that the repair has been finished correctly.

Adjustments can only be made once during a 12-month time period at council’s discretion.

However, a couple of residents spoke out against the ordinance during Monday’s meeting. Norman and Julia Moles, who live on East High Street, received a $1,274.75-water bill during the summer months.

“I’ve talked to at least five people in the last two months that their bill has gone like sky rocket because they had a water leak and knew nothing about it … I’m sorry but this system’s that’s going on right now — there’s got to be something better than this,” Julia said. 

Council members Jack Robbins and Jesse Bivens told the Moles council doesn’t grant adjustments for above-ground leaks. However, council is able (and has in the past) set up payment plans to help residents pay their bills after a leak.

“I do not (think council will change the ordinance) and the reason being — inside of your grants and the money you borrow in your water utilities, you’re supposed to collect a certain percent of the money you generate, you have to have a certain percent collected. Otherwise, you will lose your accessibility to get more grants,” Bivens said. “The same way if we let our funds get too low, we have to raise the rates and we have to do it quickly because if we don’t have that certain amount of money, we can’t get more money from the government.”

Also Monday, council was reminded by Mayor Gene Ritter of the revitalization meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at West Jay Community Center. The meeting will cover recommendations on how to revitalize Dunkirk over the next five years, including the future of the Depot and the Stewart Brothers Building.

Ritter said residents are encouraged to fill out a survey about the plan, which is available at the city building, the Glass Capital Cafe and Pizza King.

In other business, council members Bryan Jessup, Tom Johnson, Lisa Street, Bivens and Robbins:  

•Were reminded the Dunkirk Volunteer Fire Department will be a part of Jay County’s 2018 Holiday Home Tour on Sunday. Tickets are $5 and will be available the day of at the fire department.

•Heard the last day for leaf pick up is Friday.

•Agreed to spend $3,803.42 to repair a pool leak, $550 for backflow certification and testing, $2,791.36 for four oxygen cylinders and $2,633 for pagers, charges and additional technology for the fire department.

•Were told the firefighters’ Christmas dinner is at 6 p.m. Saturday at the fire station.

•Saw an aerial map of Sidewalk 2020 project and the potential path for a new trail in Dunkirk. The trail would be constructed using 2024 Indiana Department of Transportation grants, if the city is awarded the grant money.

•Heard from Johnson that nearly all the Christmas lights are up.

•Received a blight update from Robbins, who said the last property — 146 Grant St. — is waiting to be released to the city.

•Passed a motion for a quote to repair the park roof. The $3,500-job would need to be approved by the park board before any work can be done, Johnson said.

•Approved claims totaling $16,056.26.