House destroyed by fire removed

DUNKIRK — The city is footing the bill for demolishing a house destroyed in a recent fire.

Dunkirk City Council on Monday approved paying $4,000 to Kesler Excavation for its work to remove the house that burned March 12 on the south side of the city.

Dunkirk Mayor Jack Robbins explained that Kesler removed what was left of the house following the fire at 617 S. Main St. Both the house and the garage were destroyed.

On the day of the fire, a neighbor told emergency personnel he heard a “big bang” and noticed the back of the house on fire. He ran inside to alert those inside.

Council member Randy Murphy asked about why the city handled the demolition of the house. Robbins explained that it was uninsured. It needed to come down for safety reasons, council member Jesse Bivens added.

Robbins noted that the city cleaned up several properties in similar situations last year. 

He said in such cases that a lien is put on the property in an effort to recoup the dollars.

Council members Christy Curts, Dan Watson, Donna Revolt, Bivens and Murphy unanimously approved the expenditure with the money to come from coronavirus relief funds through the federal American Rescue Plan Act.

Robbins was also complimentary of Dunkirk Volunteer Fire Department and all of the other departments — Redkey, Pennville, Albany and Eaton — that responded to the scene and helped to save the adjacent homes from sustaining significant damage.

“If you had seen it when it started, you would have thought that none of them would have been saved,” said Robbins. “Working together, they did a great job.”

Council also approved the fire department holding boot drives from 3 to 5 p.m. April 19, May 17 and June 14.

Curts reported that the department’s annual dance is scheduled for 9 p.m. Saturday, April 6 at Dunkirk Elks, 1026 S. Main St. Admission is $5.

Council members also approved the purchase of chloride samplers for the city’s wastewater treatment plant at a cost of $18,228.

Wastewater superintendent Steven Gillette explained that Environmental Protection Agency and Indiana Department of Environmental Management officials recently visited the treatment plant and recommended the samplers, which will take measurements hourly to provide a 24-hour composite. Currently, the department samples three times during the eight-hour period when employees are at the plant.

Robbins also noted that Jay County Democrats held a caucus Saturday during which they appointed Kara Lowe as the new Dunkirk clerk-treasurer. She takes over for Tina Elliott, who was re-elected in November and resigned earlier this month.

In other business, council:

•Approved the following: water bill adjustments of $97.97 and $86.82; payment of claims totaling $164,496.31.

•Heard the city clerk’s office will close early Monday to participate in the solar eclipse event at Webster Depot Park. Activities begin at 1 p.m.

•Was reminded by Robbins that council’s second May meeting falls on Memorial Day. Council will decide at a later date whether to move or cancel the meeting.

•Tabled the proposed ordinance addressing road cuts.

•Heard from Revolt that work to complete the walking trail at Dunkirk City Park will begin April 9. She also noted that the Jay County Solid Waste Management District recycling trailer will be moved to the south side of West Jay Community Center. She added that the city is in need of workers, specifically lifeguards, for this summer.