The Town of Dunkirk has yet to hear back from the City of Dunkirk regarding a contract for police patrol. Town Supervisor Priscilla Penfold reached out to Mayor Kate Wdowiasz on the matter and provided the date of the meeting when the Town would finalize its budget, but Penfold received no response.

Penfold also asked if the City Police would continue to patrol if there is a gap between the current contract, which runs through 2025, and a new contract in 2026 once it is agreed upon. Penfold received no response.

The City of Dunkirk has asked for an increase of roughly $12,000 from the Town of Dunkirk in its next police protection contract. Town Board member Jean Crane, who has taken on a major role in crafting the Town Budget, stated that the Town was prepared to accept a 3% increase, but the City’s ask of $39,660 far surpassed that level of an increase. The Town countered with an offer of $28,490.

Penfold stated at a previous meeting that approximately 12 hours a week of patrols amounts to roughly $68 per hour for the services the City Police would provide to the town. Penfold defined the proposed increase from the City as “a burden to our budget.”

OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen Town of Dunkirk Supervisor Priscilla Penfold has received no response from Dunkirk Mayor Kate Wdowiasz regarding a police patrol contract for 2026 following the Town’s rejection of a proposed increase of roughly $12,000.

Regarding other shared services contracts in the Town, an agreement with the Town of Pomfret to share an Assessor was tabled by the Town Board for more discussion at the next monthly meeting in December. A shared services contract with the Town of Sheridan regarding a shared Highway Superintendent is expected by the December meeting, as well.

Also of note, the Town recently hired Jennifer Jakubowski as the new Deputy Clerk. She replaces Emma Newton to work alongside Town Clerk Rebecca Yacklon. In the month of October, the Town Clerk’s Office collected $1,540.56 in fees, including nearly $1,000 in zoning fees. The Town of Dunkirk Justice Court handled a total of 277 cases in the month of October, which resulted in $21,469 in revenue for the Town.

The Town received its quarterly distribution of sales tax revenue from Chautauqua County, which totaled $136,977.22. That figure increased by roughly $18,000 from the previous quarter. The Town typically allocates 60% of the revenue to the General Fund and 40% to the Highway Fund.

Eminent Domain proceedings regarding the Shorewood Water District have yet to conclude. Since the process began, several easements have been secured, while the remaining outstanding easements appear close to a resolution. The last outstanding property owner expressed support for the project and a willingness to sign, but expressed uncertainty surrounding the specifics of what is necessary. Town Attorney Jeff Passafaro expressed confidence that the issue “can be worked out” prior to the town’s deadline to remain eligible for grant funding to allow the project to proceed.

The Town of Dunkirk is also in the process of drafting a local law pertaining to battery energy storage systems in the town. Once a law is drafted, a public hearing will be held to receive input regarding the law before it can be adopted by the Town Board.

The next meeting of the Dunkirk Town Board is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 16 at 5:30 p.m.