OBSERVER file photo Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel speaks in Pomfret last month regarding early municipal talks.

Addressing Dunkirk’s Common Council last month, Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel offered insight into what could be the start of something big. With officials from four north county municipalities at the table — including the city, village of Fredonia and towns of Dunkirk and Pomfret — talks are in the early stages of a potential reshaping of the north county governments.

Wendel, who made similar statements during a visit in Pomfret, made the promise of transparency as the process to bring greater efficiencies moves forward. In addition, the executive stressed there are many unknowns at the moment that involve policing, fire protection and the highway departments.

“So when you look at all these things, there are a lot of questions,” he said, “and by no means do we have the answers.”

There is no denying the turmoil that currently exists. Over the last 24 months, Dunkirk and Fredonia have been in shambles.

Residents of the two entities have voiced frustrations that have come from blistering tax increases — 84% in the city and 54% in the village — and unsustainable spending plans that total a combined $42 million. On the flip side, municipal employees and managers are flustered. With a shortfall of cash, revenues are often overstated and some key positions are going unfilled.

Staying the course is obviously not a path to prosperity. It is why the recent efficiency discussions that have included state officials are promising.

After an initial gathering Feb. 13, a second was held about four weeks ago. According to Wendel’s office, participants examined the possibility of expanding collaboration beyond shared services to include exploring whether the four municipalities could eventually merge into a single town structure. Officials emphasized the idea remains in its earliest stages and would require extensive analysis, public input, and voter approval under state law.

This is the point where public comment matters. Residents who favor this type of action need to reach out to their council member or trustee to let them know.

Since it is such a sensitive topic, an online questionnaire could be helpful in determining the direction the constituency favors. Clymer, Panama and Sherman schools did a vote last year during the budget-approval process to determine the appetite for the possible three-way consolidation.

Once those tallies came back in support, an online survey was offered to residents in the districts. While support was shown for a merger, there also was a segment of the population that “strongly disapproves” of the action.

Even though Chautauqua County has lost 23,000 residents over the last five decades, identity is significant to those who have stayed. Over the last 20 years, school merger proposals have failed between Fredonia-Brocton, Brocton-Westfield, Clymer-Panama and Ripley-Westfield.

Municipal dissolutions have had some success as it was supported in Forestville in the town of Hanover and the village of Cherry Creek in the town by the same name. The village of Sherman, in 2016, failed to dissolve by the slimmest of margins — 117 to 115.

Two years later, county officials were again aggressive in promoting regional efforts as part of a Municipal Consolidation and Efficiency Competition for $20 million from New York state. Though Suffolk County ultimately won the award, what then County Executive and current state Sen. George Borrello submitted at the time remains impressive.

Borrello and his team’s plan included 33 municipalities. Some of the objectives included: Dewittville, Hartfield, Mayville and Maple Springs fire companies exploring closer coordination; a county fire services study and coordinated efficiencies; city of Dunkirk and village of Fredonia sharing one facility for their police forces and courts; the city of Dunkirk and village of Fredonia implementing wastewater treatment efficiencies; the town of Gerry and town of Charlotte consolidating into one town and then the village of Sinclairville dissolving into the single town. They would then have a unified highway and administrative building on the Cassadaga Valley Central School grounds; continued discussions with the Sheriff’s Office and Jamestown Police Department project; the village of Lakewood, town of Busti and town of Ellicott exploring one unified police force.

Success was found in that list by the fire companies in 2024 — and by all accounts the North Lake Fire District, which includes Dewittville, Hartfield and Mayville, is reaping the rewards of new energy and an infusion of volunteers. In this case, bigger was not about being better. It was just necessary.

We are nearing that point for Dunkirk and Fredonia. They can continue to try and go it on their own — but knowing their current fiscal state — that is far from realistic due to escalating costs. Higher taxes and fees continue to harm those who are choosing to live there.

John D’Agostino is editor of The Post-Journal, OBSERVER and Times Observer in Warren, Pa. Send comments to jdagostino@observertoday.com or call 716-487-1111, ext. 253.