jward@observertoday.com
Due to an older housing stock in Chautauqua County, lead paint poisoning remains an issue for many youth especially those spending added time in their homes due to COVID-19. This month, representatives from the Chautauqua County Health Department told the Dunkirk Common Council about the growing problem earlier this month.
“We have old windows, old doors, old paint on the front porches. You walk across that porch, you open those windows, you’re creating a friction on the impact surface that’s creating lead dust that’s tracked into the house and kids are crawling across the floor and then they’re putting their hands in their mouth,” said county Lead Program Coordinator Anna Powell. “Right now at the Health Department we have an elevated blood level program that after a kid has already been lead poisoned, we go in and do a housing inspection. In October of 2019 that level was actually 15 so this level hasn’t always been 5 mcg/dL (which is th
jward@observertoday.com
The Dunkirk Common Council voted 4-0 Tuesday to approve the increases of both garbage pickup and sewer rates in the city of Dunkirk effective immediately. Missing from the vote was First Ward Councilman Don Williams, the biggest advocate against the fee increases.
“I voted against these because I wanted to kill these without a public hearing,” Williams told the OBSERVER following the Jan. 5 meeting. “Voting against them shows that I’m both not in favor in any way of them as well as keeping them from moving forward to the public hearing stage. I have been against the tipping fee and sewage rate increases since the beginning and have mentioned it many times at the budget meetings, I don’t think that it’s fair to single individuals and seniors living in a house that don’t produce a lot of trash or use a lot of water; I don’t feel we should penalize them. Until the city comes up with something more fair I will remain against this.”
jward@observertoday.com
The Common Council will be discussing the proposed waste management costs and sewer rates in the city of Dunkirk something that has been heavily focused on in recent months at both budget meetings and council meetings.
Both laws were tabled 3-1 at the Jan. 5 meeting and both will be addressed at public hearings held starting at 5:20 p.m.
In approving the budget, council moved forward with both increases. However, no comment from the public took place.
Another focal point of the Tuesday meeting is the appointment of Erica Munson as interim city assessor. Current assessor Tom Mleczko, whose term runs through Dec. 31, is resigning from office effective Jan. 28. Munson, if appointed, will receive a salary of $36,000 a year, a stipend of $4,000 a year and a full benefit package. Mleczko will be reappointed for one month starting Jan. 29 to help with transition.
John Whittaker
Pictured are some police officers and municipal leaders in Chautauqua County giving their support to Sheriff James Quattrone and his efforts to address on Executive Order 203 â Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative.
Editor’s Note: Today, the OBSERVER continues its look back at the top stories of 2020 and the way they will shape the coming year. Today, 20 for 2020 looks at the municipal matters that were among the most-read stories in the newspaper this year.
The Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office is working on its New York State Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative plan due to the state by April 1.
MARLENE WRIGHT
I am appalled at the behavior of certain members of the Dunkirk Common Council. What has happened to civility and common courtesy?
The animosity between the council and the mayor is on display for all to see and read about. Meanwhile, the growth of the city has been put on hold so that they can continue their tirades. No one wants to listen to rational arguments if it goes against what they deem is the best action. There is no discussion, just harsh words and attacks on individuals.
It is no wonder that Rebecca Wurster left. She was the best thing that had happened to the city. She found money for projects and development of the city was wonderful to see. Apparently, those days are gone.