OBSERVER Photo by M.J. Stafford A Dunkirk Department of Public Works employee inspects an old, storm-damaged tree in the Second Ward. DPW workers got compliments from city officials over their efforts after a July 20 storm.

City of Dunkirk officials thanked the Department of Public Works for efforts to repair damage and clean up after a July 20 storm.

The tempest blew in off Lake Erie and took down dozens of trees in the city, seemingly hitting the waterfront hardest. Point Gratiot was closed the following day so DPW could clean up.

Speaking at Tuesday’s Common Council meeting, city officials complemented DPW employees on a job well done.

“The storm we had Thursday, July 20 had extremely high winds and these winds are specific,” Councilperson Natalie Luczkowiak said.

She said some of the Hero Banners honoring veterans along the waterfront were lost to the storm. They will be replaced “and placed in a safer location for the rest of this summer,” Luczkowiak continued.

“Thank you, DPW, for all that you do. I was in awe, very much so, for a week,” she added.

“Everybody did a splendid job in keeping these streets moving,” Councilperson Jim Stoyle said. “I know people were on the phone calling, complaining about twigs, when we saw redwoods knocked over.”

Councilperson Nancy Nichols agreed, “Yes, they did an outstanding job — even after the fact of their normal work duties for the day. I don’t know how they were doing it. I mean, it was pure adrenaline.

She added, “If you couldn’t change your driving habits for 12 or 14 hours and go somewhere else for a ride and let the guys clean up the Point… they have no idea.”

Deputy DPW Director Mike Przybycien said, “We’re focusing on the lakefront, that was the hardest hit area. Full disclosure, we have a few weeks easily of just handling that stuff, and in our own parks as well. After that’s done, we’ll take a ride around the city and if a citywide brush pickup is warranted, then we will do that. At this point, that’s not the plan — we’re just going to take and handle the hardest hit areas.”

Nichols noted the next scheduled citywide brush pickup is in September. “It may be September until they get done picking up (from the storm),” Przybycien said.

“I realize it’s going to be a process to get the city back up and going, but I just want to thank all department heads for working together and getting through it the best we could,” Councilperson-at-Large David Damico said.

“There was a lot of damage… the workers, out of a about 30-hour shift, were home for about two and a half hours,” Przybycien said. “They worked straight through. I give them credit, I don’t know how they did it.”

Councilperson Marty Bamonto was excused from the meeting.