OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen Town Board member Jean Crane stated the town has budgeted for a 3% increase to a police protection contract with the city of Dunkirk. The ask from the city far surpasses the town’s budgeted amount.

The city of Dunkirk has asked for an increase of roughly $12,000 from the town of Dunkirk in its next police protection contract. The town is not on board.

Supervisor Priscilla Penfold discussed the proposal at a recent Town Board meeting. She stated 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 asked her fellow Town Board members for input on the matter, which she described as “a burden to our budget.”

Town Board member Jean Crane, who has taken on a major role in crafting the Town Budget, stated that a 3% increase is typically budgeted by the town. Town Board members Shari Miller and Phil Leone both suggested a counter offer be made to the city. The city asked for $39,660, while the town is prepared to offer $28,490. The town will look to finalize the contract at an upcoming meeting, as the 2026 town budget will be discussed in November.

Also of note, the latest Town Board meeting had more discussion regarding the town’s Eminent Domain proceedings regarding the Shorewood Water District. 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.

“This, I think, can be worked out,” Town Attorney Jeff Passafaro stated.

Following a public hearing on the matter, the Town Board issued a resolution, upon request from special counsel, allowing for the Eminent Domain process to proceed. If the final outstanding easements are secured, the only remaining issue standing in the way of the project pertains to private roads of the town within the district.

The town has also designated the East Town of Dunkirk Fire Department as a polling site for District 1 and the Dunkirk Town Hall as a polling site for District 2 for Tuesday.

The next meeting of the Dunkirk Town Board is set for Wednesday beginning at 6:30 p.m. with public hearings regarding the Town Budget, Fire Protection Contracts with the East and West Town Fire Departments, and a local law to allow the Town Board to override to the tax cap, if it is deemed necessary.

The town will also hold a workshop in the coming days to discuss a potential 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.