City considering solar power offer

DUNKIRK — The city will consider the possibility of powering its fire department with the sun.

Dunkirk Board of Works at its meeting Monday discussed a proposal from All Circuit Electrical of rural Portland to install 24 solar panels that would power the building’s lights and generator.

The proposal is estimated to cost between $30,000 and $40,000, Jay County engineer and board member Dan Watson said. He added All Circuit Electrical said the solar panels will pay for themselves in eight years by saving money on the energy bill.

The idea was presented earlier in the day by Ryan Hurt to Jay County Commissioners, which directed All Circuit Electrical to discuss it with Dunkirk first. Hurt did not attend the board of works meeting.

Watson said the city’s fire department building is owned by Jay County and any upgrades are paid for evenly by Dunkirk and the county at a 50/50 split. A Jay Emergency Medical Service base is located there.

The board agreed it will field multiple bids before it commits to anything. The proposal was included in All Circuit Electrical’s bid to install LED lights at the fire department.

Outdoor security LED lights will soon come to the water department buildings, where currently only three out of the 11 lights work, superintendent Dace Mumbower said.

The board and Dunkirk City Council, which also met Monday, approved a $4,300 contract with Mantz Electric to install new lights.

In other business, board members Jack Robbins and Watson, absent Lisa Street:

•Approved two bids, both for Donnelly Safety, to purchase a $2,320 dry storage rack and a $1,283.50 AED machine for the fire department.

•Signed a new $11,270, 10-year contract with Greenfield-based Leary Construction Company for annual inspection of the water tower and to paint it when needed, typically twice over the length of the contract. A $9,800, 10-year contract with the business is set to expire at the end of the year, Mumbower said. It was also approved by council.

Mayor Robbins also informed the board and city council of Community Crossings grants the city was awarded from Indiana Department of Transportation last week. The grant totals $475,612 and streets to paved include parts of Moore Avenue, Walsh Court and Ellis and Layne drives.

In other business, council members Tom Johnson, Bryan Jessup, Kevin Hamilton and Jesse Bivens, absent Street:

•Renewed a $200 sponsorship banner at West Jay Community Center.