In the town of Dunkirk, that is exactly what happened with several vacant seats in the town.

“We asked, and we were heard,” said Supervisor Shari Miller.

After making it known that the town of Dunkirk was searching for members of the community who were willing to step up and serve the town, several qualified applicants expressed interest in a variety of roles. Following discussion in executive session at the most recent meeting of the Town Board, a series of appointments were approved.

Scott Pagano has been appointed to a seat on the Town Board. He will serve out the year before the seat is listed on the ballot in November. Pagano takes over the role after serving as Chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals. Pagano was selected from a group of applicants who sought a spot on the Town Board. Supervisor Miller and Councilman Bob Price were also Planning Board members prior to being initially appointed to the Town Board.

Town of Dunkirk Supervisor Shari Miller said of the need to fill vacancies in the town, “We asked, and we were heard.”

The Town Board also appointed two new members of the Planning Board, Jared Will and Michael Mansfield. Irene Strychalski was appointed to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Will and Strychalski attended the recent meeting to reiterate their interest in serving the town following the submission of their letters of interest. Mansfield, the former Dunkirk City Schools Superintendent, met with Miller to discuss his interest in being more involved with the town.

Will, owner and operator of JRW Home Maintenance Services in Dunkirk, has served as a commercial illustrator and designer for over 20 years. He has “a strong background” in architecture and structural engineering.

“I think that I can be of great service to the Board,” Will said. “… I’m very eager and excited to learn more about the process, and understand how I can be of service.”

Miller said, “He’s going to be great on the Planning Board, looking at the details, because that’s where his training is.”

Strychalski, a retired dentist, is a frequent attendee of Town Board meetings, especially when the town was in discussions regarding a short-term rental property law. Strychalski said that after retiring from her career after four decades, she feels “out of the loop” and is “dying to do something.”

Strychalski said she was willing to fill whatever role the Town Board felt was the best fit. “I have an interest in what’s going on in Dunkirk and I would like to help wherever I can,” Strychalski said. “I’m eager and excited, as well.”

Strychalski fills the vacancy created by Pagano resigning to take a seat on the Town Board. Pagano fills the seat vacated by Miller when she took over as Supervisor. Michael Miller is now expected to serve as Chairman of the Zoning Board.

After Priscilla Penfold’s decision to not seek re-election as Supervisor, every seat on the Town Board has turned over within the last four years. Shari Miller is the fourth Supervisor in four years, following Penfold, Juan Pagan, and the late Dick Purol. The new Town Board is now comprised of Shari Miller, Jean Crane, Phil Leone, Bob Price, and now, Scott Pagano.

“We are all new, and I think we bring a different energy,” Shari Miller said. “… People are coming on because this is their community and they want to make a difference.”