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New board member joins town of Dunkirk

AP Photo The Dunkirk Town Board decided on a new member recently.

The town of Dunkirk had an unexpected opening for a board seat since the death of longtime member Robert Penharlow at the end of May. In that time, the town received two applications for the vacant board seat, with one coming from Planning Board member Shari Miller and Zoning Board member Priscilla Penfold. Ultimately, the board chose to approve Penfold to fill the vacant board seat.

“On my part, nothing against Shari, I know she’s on the planning board now… she’s got a nice resume here, but at this time, I would favor Mrs. Penfold to fill in the vacant seat for Bob,” said Trustee Juan Pagan.

Penfold was named unanimously by the Town Board, and will fill the seat until the end of the year. Because the seat was vacated in May, there is enough time to get names on the general election ballot for November.

“My understanding is that we notify the Board of Elections of the vacancy created, the appointment is made only until the end of the calendar year,” said town attorney Jeff Passafaro. “The position is on the ballot in November to be filled, then they are sworn in like everybody else elected in November. Under certain circumstances, they may be permitted to be sworn in sooner.”

The Town Board also named two extra members to the town Planning Board, as East Side resident Jordan Cooper and Urban Road resident Paul Bowers have been named as replacements. Bowers is replacing Jay Warren, who saw his five-year term expire, and the Town Board elected to go a different direction. Town Supervisor Richard Purol thanked Warren for his service to the Town of Dunkirk.

“I’d like to thank Jay for all the work he has done,” said Purol. “Over the time, he’s worked on the zoning book and everything else.”

The next meeting of the Dunkirk Town Board will be on Tuesday, July 19 at 6:30 p.m.

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