Dunkirk considering parking issue

DUNKIRK — Council is considering adding accessible parking spaces for the American Legion.

At its meeting Monday, Dunkirk City Council heard about parking difficulties at the organization, located at 118 W. Commerce St. 

Tim McCaffery, commander of the legion, told council that a member drives a modified van that doesn’t fit into a standard parking space.

“If he parks in our parking lot, I guess it sticks back further than a regular car and he’s worried about it getting ripped off,” McCaffery said.

McCaffery asked for at least one spot in the alley between Main Street and Franklin Street.  

Dunkirk Mayor Jack Robbins told McCaffery he would consult with the street department to take measurements of the alley and to see if there is room for accessible parking for the organization.

Also on Monday, council heard about several plans for one of the city’s parks.  

Greg Wilmore of the Dunkirk Beautification Committee asked council to grant permission for the committee to install LED lighting in the pavilion at Webster Depot Park. The committee will be applying for grant money for the lighting from The Dunkirk Foundation.

The request was approved, contingent upon Dunkirk Park Board’s approval.

Wilmore also updated council on the annual summer concert series, which is still in final preparations. The free performances will take place weekly at 7 p.m. on Saturdays at Webster Depot Park, beginning either June 5 or 12 and running through early August.

There are also plans to install playground equipment at the park, Wilmore told council, but there is no timeline yet for that project.

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

•Approved an additional appropriation of $40,000 to pay for Dunkirk Police Department’s new Dodge Durango and its accessories.

•Heard from Johnson that the train at the Depot was vandalized. Council briefly discussed methods to prevent future vandalism.

•Paid $303,049.89 in claims.  

•At Monday’s Dunkirk Board of Works and Public Safety, board members Robbins and Dan Watson (absent Street) approved replacing nine outdoor lights at the wastewater treatment plant with LED lights for $5,000. They also approved a series of claims: $1,354.01 to Utility Supply Co. for meters and repair clamps, $996.10 to U.S. Aggregates for 57 tons of stone, $815 to Water Solutions for 60 gallons of phosphate, $774.61 to Rich’s Auto Repair for an oil change and new tires for the new police Durango and $1,436.19 to St. Meyer’s Auto Service for engine repairs on the police department’s Chevrolet Tahoe.