The article in April 12-13 edition of the OBSERVER, “Towns may partner in new Pomfret site,” detailed Pomfret Supervisor Dan Pacos’ comments at a recent Pomfret Town Board meeting regarding a potential partnership between the two towns for a new Town Hall.

While Pacos believes the move would be a fit for both towns, residents of the Town of Dunkirk were surprised to hear the news, with little to no notice of a potential partnership before the news broke.

“I was surprised to see the article too,” Town of Dunkirk Deputy Supervisor Jean Crane said. “We like our Town Board and residents to be notified of anything before it comes out in the news, but it didn’t happen that way.”

Pacos spoke with Town of Dunkirk Supervisor Priscilla Penfold about sharing the space. With Penfold out of town for the recent meeting, Crane, as Deputy Supervisor, confirmed that the Town Board was notified that an offer was made by Pacos to Penfold. Crane added, “There has been no discussion about it whatsoever.”

OBSERVER Photos by Braden Carmen Town of Dunkirk resident Sue Hazelton addressed the Town Board regarding a recent OBSERVER article pertaining to a proposed relocation of the Town Hall to Pomfret.

Town of Dunkirk resident Sue Hazelton addressed the Town Board at its recent meeting regarding the article. She said, “As soon as I read the article, I had a bad feeling.”

Hazelton felt that Pacos was “making a command for this merger to happen.” Hazelton, a frequent attendee to Town of Dunkirk meetings, noted how she did not recall such a move ever being discussed.

“The Town has said it could use more space, but is this merge the right merge at this time, and at what cost? That’s the big question,” Hazelton said.

The Town of Pomfret moved to buy a former Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints worship site in March for its new Town Hall. Pomfret plans to sell its current hall, located on Day Street in Fredonia. Dunkirk’s current Town Hall on Willow Road is approximately a mile away from the building purchased by Pomfret.

According to a resolution passed March 6 by the Pomfret Town Board, the new building will cost $370,000 to purchase, with remodeling and renovation costs totaling up to $600,000. Pomfret is utilizing funds set aside along with federal grant funds to facilitate the move.

“This sounds very expensive – a million dollars or more – for ‘more parking spaces.’ I don’t think Pomfret is going to let the Town of Dunkirk move in for free,” Hazelton said.

Hazelton stated that the Town should be more focused on other priorities, such as the Shorewood Water Project, which still has outstanding easements. Crane responded that the Town Board has been focused on the Shorewood Water Project and that it remains a priority.

“Please don’t let anyone push you into something you’re not ready for,” Hazelton said. “I guess it just depends on how comfortable you all feel about such a merge.”

The Town of Dunkirk has rescheduled its Town Hall meeting for residents to openly discuss matters in the town to May 8 at 6 p.m., due to a scheduling conflict.

“Hopefully, by the time we have our Town Hall meeting, maybe we’ll have information about this. … We may not,” Crane said. “… It’s nothing that’s going to happen right away, if it does happen.”

The Town has also moved the date of its regular meeting in the month of June due to a scheduling conflict. The monthly meeting in June will now take place on Tuesday, June 24.