OBSERVER File Photo Michael Bobseine — seen here chairing a Fredonia Board of Education meeting in 2018 — wants to be Dunkirk’s next city attorney.

Mayor Wilfred Rosas’ nominee for city of Dunkirk attorney said Wednesday he’d be willing to negotiate on compensation and residency.

However, Michael Bobseine said he doesn’t think he is legally required to live in the city.

Quoting city code, he said the city attorney should live in Dunkirk — if the state’s “Public Officers Law requires such residency.”

“My reading and understanding of the Public Officers Law is that a city attorney is not required to be a resident of the city,” said Bobseine, a Fredonia resident. “The city attorney does not file an oath of office, serves strictly at the pleasure of the mayor once approved by the council (so there is no specified term), is not protected by civil service but may have a contract, and is not a ‘public officer’ of the city.”

Nevertheless, he continued, “My family would consider changing our residence. (Outgoing) City Attorney (Richard) Morrisroe was given a year to make that decision. The city has had numerous city attorneys who were not residents of the city.”

Bobseine added, “My wife is Susan Parker. She’s an outstanding county legislator. With the newly drawn legislature districts, District 4, which she presently represents, incorporates a part of the city of Dunkirk.

If she seeks reelection and wins a second term, both of us could reside in the city and carry out our respective jobs.

“Further, as I stated at my first public appearance before the council, I do not distinguish between Fredonia and Dunkirk. We are a single community for all practical purposes and should work closely together to benefit the whole of northern Chautauqua County.”

Bobseine’s appointment is currently tabled, with Republicans on the Common Council providing enough votes at two December meetings.

One of the issues is compensation. Rosas sought $60,000 for a city attorney while Republicans on council wanted it cut to $45,000. Their proposed cut was vetoed by Rosas.

“The only person who has talked to me about compensation is Mayor Rosas (and now the OBSERVER),” Bobseine said. “Mayor Rosas put $60,000 in his budget for this position before approaching me about the job.”

He added, “I’m open to discussing compensation with the mayor in order to try to make this work for him and the council.”

Bobseine spoke highly of Rosas and made it clear he wants to work with him on the city’s various issues.

“I have known Mayor Rosas for a long time. I consider him one of the best public officials in all of western New York. He has accomplished a lot for our northern Chautauqua County community and the City of Dunkirk,” he said.

“He has many issues to contend with that, with the help of the council and the whole of our community, will change the future of the city and northern Chautauqua County,” Bobseine continued. “These issues include Brooks Hospital, the marina and waterfront development, housing and downtown redevelopment, repurposing the NRG property, the Central Connection and more.”

Bobseine noted that Rosas has expressed concern that the city government could lack an attorney when Morrisroe leaves after Dec. 31.

“The mayor’s first responsibility is to the city and its residents,” he said. “I believe he will do whatever he can do under the law to ensure that the city has legal protection when carrying out his responsibilities and acting on behalf of the council and its members.”