Dunkirk intersection will be four-way stop

DUNKIRK — An intersection will become a four-way stop this summer.

Dunkirk City Council voted Monday to make the intersection of Broad and Washington streets a four-way stop.

The council had agreed at its previous meeting to move forward with the process of making the change to the intersection. It is a higher-traffic area during shift changes at Ardagh.

Council members Jesse Bivens, Christy Curts, Dan Watson, Donna Revolt and Randy Murphy voted unanimously Monday in favor of the ordinance to create the four-way stop. (It is currently a two-way stop with signs on Broad Street and through traffic on Washington Street.)

City attorney Wes Schemenaur explained that the new ordinance must now be advertised in the newspaper. It can go into effect two weeks after it is advertised.

Mayor Jack Robbins added that flashing signs will be put in place in an effort to alert drivers to the change. Also, “no parking” areas will have to be extended to accommodate the four-way stop.

Council members also heard about a request to vacate an L-shaped alley in the area of Franklin and Pearl streets. Schemenaur explained the process, noting that he will handle the paperwork but first someone must come forward as the petitioner for the change. (He estimated the cost at $500 and said an individual can petition or a group of adjacent property owners could agree to split the cost.)

Council members also provided the following reports:

•Watson — There was an issue with some flooding on Layne Drive following recent rain because of farm debris in the waterway. He complimented Jay County Surveyor’s Office for cleaning out the area Monday.

•Curts — Independence Day fireworks will be held at dusk on Saturday, July 5, at Dunkirk City Park.

•Revolt — Dunkirk City Pool opened for the season Monday and new playground equipment has been installed at Dunkirk City Park.

•Murphy — New Americans with Disabilities Act ramps will be installed along Main Street (Indiana 167) on the west side of the West Jay Elementary School property.

The council meeting was the first to be livestreamed at youtube.com/@CityofDunkirkIN. (Live streaming is required by state law beginning July 1.)

In other business, council:

•Heard a question regarding changing an address on a corner property. Schemenaur advised contacting the post office and Jay County 911 director Bill Baldwin.

•Learned from Robbins that the city will be advertising three vehicles for auction this week. Sealed bids will be accepted until noon Monday, June 23.

•Approved the following: payment of claims of $2,900.81 to Living Waters for repair of a pump at the water department at $2,188.75 to 4TC for electrical work on one of the city’s wells; regular claims totaling $580,611.72; sponsorships of $200 for the Jerry Nelson Memorial Fishing Derby and $100 for the Dunkirk Kiwanis golf outing.

•Heard from Robbins that 31 properties have been cited for being overgrown and the city has started mowing them.