OBSERVER Photo by M.J. Stafford Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel speaks at the March Pomfret Town Board meeting.

Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel proposed a merger of the city and town of Dunkirk with the village of Fredonia and the town of Pomfret at a Pomfret Town Board meeting this week.

Wendel and other north county officials have talked about consolidating services for months. However, the county executive’s proposal marked a new stage in the talks — one that could fundamentally change the area’s current municipal landscape.

Wendel began his comments at the meeting by musing about the city of Dunkirk’s financial problems. He called them “a great concern to everyone in the county,” and stated that unpaid taxes from the city are on the rise.

He went on to say that Fredonia “may have the worst tax rate of all municipalities in the state.”

Wendel noted a meeting with officials from all four municipalities about a month ago, concerning the consolidation of municipal services.

“We had some good conversations … I was going to propose looking into one municipality,” the county executive said.

Noting that Fredonia and Pomfret were talking separately about consolidating services, Wendel acknowledged he is not sure of the end game.

Officials are doing “an exploration into consolidations and/or mergers. This is baby steps,” he said. “This is a process that needs time and consideration.”

Wendel suggested that a merger could open up more grant funding for the area as “the state of New York is excited about any opportunity for towns consolidation.”

He reiterated, “It’s in its infancy, it’s not going to take six months. These things take time.”

Wendel said his “goal is not to drive down and reduce government — but if this is a byproduct of efficiency of services, that happens.”

He noted public referendums would be needed on mergers, and denied that the process is getting done in secret. “There’s nothing deceptive, there’s nothing behind closed doors.”

Wendel concluded, “It’s nothing that’s going to happen overnight.”

Pomfret board member EvaDawn Bashaw wondered how a city in the state of New York could even get dissolved. “We don’t know,” Wendel said.

Pomfret Town Supervisor Dan Pacos said “We’re absolutely in” when it comes to upcoming studies on consolidations and mergers.

However, before any changes happen, “we need to make sure they work for Pomfret.”