Dunkirk looking at sewer problem

DUNKIRK — The city is looking into why a sewage line on High Street is blocked and how to fix it.

Dunkirk Board of Works and Public Safety heard an update on a blocked sewage line, which is being cleaned out and examined for damage.

The line, which runs on High Street from Indiana Street to Hoover Street, could have tree root infiltration, a broken tile or some other problem, said Dunkirk Mayor Jack Robbins. Culy Contracting was hired to clean out the line and examine it with a camera to determine the issue. The city’s water and sewage departments are also providing assistance.  

“We’ve got something broke down somewhere in there that keeps clogging up,” Robbins said. “This will be the third time we’ve unplugged it in 6 months … you can’t live with that, that’s like $600 to clean it out each time.”

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

•Heard more about the planned trunk-or-treat event Oct. 31 in Dunkirk City Park. It will begin with Dunkirk Crime Watch’s costume contest around 5 p.m at West Jay Community Center, followed by trick-or-treating at community members’ vehicles in the park. There will also be a movie in the shelter house. Participants are asked to wear face masks, use hand sanitizer and maintain social distancing.

•Learned the new Dodge Durango for the Dunkirk Police Department has been ordered from Fuqua Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM of Dunkirk and should be ready in two months.

•Were reminded that leaf pickup will be on Nov. 12, 13, 19 and 20, and Dec. 3 and 4. The dates are subject to change dependent on weather. 

•Were introduced to Brock Farmer, the city’s new water department employee.

•Discussed changes to the board’s meeting schedule. The Board of Works and Public Safety will now meet at 6 p.m. on the second and fourth Mondays of each month, prior to the Dunkirk City Council meetings scheduled for 7 p.m. on the same days. The change will go into effect in November.

•Approved payments of $10,624.99 to Brown Equipment Company for repairs to the sewage department’s vacuum truck, $650 to Display Craft for new decals for the windows of the Dunkirk Police Department and $550 to Culy’s Contracting for sewage line work.