Town discusses inspection fees
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At a recent Dunkirk Town Board meeting, the board discussed charging businesses a fee for fire inspections, as other nearby municipalities do. Code Enforcement Officer Ryan Mourer, who is the town's fire inspector for its businesses, suggested a fee schedule to be adopted by the town.
A state requirement for businesses, the town has not charged businesses commensurate to the amount of work required to conduct and properly document the business' inspection. Mourer estimated the current compensation the town receives to do fire inspections is approximately $4 per hour with the amount of work required.
"We're just trying to find a way, rather than spending taxpayers' money directly, to have businesses share the cost, since it is a benefit to them," Mourer said.
Mourer stated the fees would still be lower than paying an outside entity to offer a full evaluation of a building's fire safety requirements.
"We're not looking to take from the businesses," Mourer said. "We're trying to help the businesses -- and help the town -- make it safe."
Town Supervisor Juan Pagan, a longtime firefighter in the town, stated, "This works hand-in-hand with the fire service. As responders, we need to know what's in these buildings. By having an inspection and documenting what's there, it helps us in emergencies. ... This is something we need to get done."
The town also accepted, with regret, the resignation of Deputy Clerk Kyle Coughlin. "It is with a heavy heart that my chapter here at the Town of Dunkirk has come to an end," Coughlin began her letter of resignation. "... This is nothing against the town or my position. An opportunity was presented to me that I could not turn down."
In her letter of resignation, Coughlin stated she was offered a position with National Grid that featured substantial benefits and compensation the town could not match.
"My time with the town of Dunkirk is something I will take with me for the rest of my career. This position created the building blocks I needed to expand and grow," Coughlin stated.
Pagan addressed Coughlin before a round of applause at her final meeting. "Thank you for your service and your time here with us. We greatly appreciate it," Pagan said. "We wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors."
The Town Board also scheduled a special meeting for the purpose of a budget presentation from Town Clerk Rebecca Yacklon. The meeting is set for 3:15 p.m. on Oct. 5. Once the budget has been presented, a workshop to address the budget will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 9.