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Residents tell Dunkirk council burning, abandoned structures and blocked sightlines are local safety concerns
Summary
At the June 17 meeting residents and councilors raised several code‑enforcement and public‑safety concerns: a resident said a neighbor’s burn had been smoldering for 11 days, trustees discussed abandoned trailers and long‑term parked vehicles, and brush on CSX property was reported as blocking sightlines at a railroad crossing. Council directed follow up with the solicitor and public‑safety channels.
Residents and council members at the Dunkirk Village Council meeting on June 17 raised a string of code‑enforcement and public‑safety concerns that the council said it would follow up on.
Resident Bob Hershberger said a neighbor’s burn had become uncontrolled, telling council that "the last fire was set eleven days ago and is still smoldering to this day." Fiscal Officer Phyllis J. Spencer said another neighbor had reported that she and her husband "spent several thousand dollars building a nice back deck that they cannot even enjoy now," and that this year they have experienced major bug problems they attribute to the burning and cut wood. Fire Chief Ron Dysert advised calling the sheriff to dispatch personnel to the scene and council discussed asking the solicitor to send another compliance letter.
Council members also discussed multiple property maintenance concerns: Crowe raised an unresolved sidewalk issue at 311 S. Main and warned that a demolished lot next to that address had not been properly filled and could form a dangerous drop as it settles. McCleese raised an ongoing problem at the Taylor property, saying vehicles there had not moved for over a year despite prior assurances; council asked McCleese to begin taking photographs over multiple weeks to document whether vehicles are being moved before solicitor action. Crowe also flagged brush and bushes on CSX property that are blocking safe views at the Rangeline Road railroad crossing; Employee Hershberger said he would investigate.
Other items included reports of long‑term parked vehicles at 200 W. Wayne and an abandoned house trailer on Cherry Street with structural holes attracting vermin; council agreed solicitor follow‑up would be appropriate for several of these enforcement matters.
Mayor Cramer said she would check with Solicitor Schwemer about the substance of previous letters sent in similar cases so the village could determine whether existing notices created a basis for enforcement. The meeting record shows follow‑up directions to the fiscal officer and staff to contact Regional Planning’s project manager Mark Doll on low lot and sidewalk concerns, and to the mayor and solicitor on nuisance letters.
The council adjourned to its next regular meeting on July 1, 2024.
