Dunkirk police vehicle to get repaired

DUNKIRK — One of the police department’s vehicles will be getting an engine replacement.

Dunkirk City Council on Monday approved purchasing and installing a used engine for the Dunkirk Police Department’s 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe.

Council also heard there will be a new employee in the clerk-treasurer’s office.

Dunkirk Mayor Jack Robbins told council the engine in the Tahoe had overheated, resulting in cracked cylinder heads. Because it is a relatively new vehicle, he suggested replacing the engine.

Council agreed, giving approval for Rich’s Auto Repair to purchase a used engine and install it as soon as possible for $5,500. The used engine has 42,000 miles on it, while the Tahoe has over 90,000 miles.

In the meantime, the police department is down to one working vehicle while it waits for a 2021 Dodge Durango expected to arrive sometime in the new year.

“We’ve got to do something pretty quick,” Robbins said. “We’ve got to get this car back on the road.”

Council also heard Sandy Rollins has been hired as an assistant clerk in the clerk-treasurer’s office after the departure of deputy clerk Jodi Hines. Rollins will start Jan. 4. Kara Lowe, who had previously worked as the assistant clerk, has been promoted to deputy clerk under clerk-treasurer Tina Elliott.

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

•Approved extending Judy Geesaman’s term on The Dunkirk Foundation’s board of directors.

•Heard Bivens thank Robbins for his work during his first year as mayor. “This has been a really good year,” Bivens told Robbins.

•Approved payments of $291.35 to Wilson Electric Co. Inc. for replacing a fan unit in the park garage and $105.57 to Water Solutions Unlimited for pump parts for Dunkirk City Pool.

•Paid claims of $493,358.87.

•At its meeting Monday, Dunkirk Board of Works and Public Safety members Street and Robbins, absent Dan Watson, approved a payment of $1,600 to Kessler’s Excavating for work replacing a 1-inch water line on Chestnut Street. Kessler’s helped city employees replace about 250 feet of line Dec. 21 through 23 after a leak. Street and Robbins also approved a series of claims for Dunkirk Fire Department: $364 to Active911 for new emergency response software, $644 to Expert Fire Protection for an annual inspection, $375.93 to Shields Garage to replace the water pump on the first responder vehicle, $623.96 to J&K Communications for servicing the repeater radio system, and $1,608.20 to Donley Safety for tools and supplies. They also approved paying up to $3,500 to replace four air bottles.