OBSERVER file photo Shortly after Jennifer Sasso spoke, she was served with lawsuit papers last month.

The Dunkirk Common Council expressed disgust Tuesday that city-contracted attorney Elliot Raimondo served a resident with a lawsuit as she was about to speak at the previous council meeting.

Raimondo handed a lawsuit to Jennifer Sasso immediately after she stood at the speaker’s podium. Sasso, the former dog control officer, was there to complain about alleged City Hall mismanagement of Dunkirk’s animal control efforts. However, she was first slapped with a court action from Mayor Kate Wdowiasz over her own alleged failings, including defamation and theft.

Councilwoman Natalie Luczkowiak said, “I want all residents of Dunkirk to know that I completely disagree with the decision to serve legal papers to any resident, especially while they are at the podium during privilege of the floor. This was both inappropriate and unacceptable, particularly during a council meeting.”

Luczkowiak vowed she would not keep her mouth shut the next time “thoughtless actions” occur at a council meeting.

She said, “Moving forward, I have decided to express my beliefs at each council meeting, and no longer remain silent about thoughtless actions. I will emphasize the importance of adhering to certain standards that we all must uphold.”

Speaking immediately after Luczkowiak, Councilman Frank Torain said he seconded what she had just said.

“I also found it inappropriate, (and was) caught off guard by the actions that were taken,” he commented. Torain then emphasized that the council has “no intention of cutting off public comments through intimidation or the threat of a lawsuit.”

Councilman Michael Civiletto said he “did also want to express my disappointment at serving papers during public comments.” He said it infringed on Sasso’s right to address council, “and could potentially make others feel intimidated when they come to the microphone, and I never want to see anyone have any fear coming to the microphone expressing their beliefs and opinions.”

Councilman-at-large Nick Weiser said he echoed his colleagues’ comments. The fifth member of council, Gary Frederickson, was not at Tuesday’s meeting.

Raimondo works for the city under a contract negotiated by Wdowiasz and her administration with his law firm, Raimondo and Sundquist of Jamestown. Raimondo was formerly city attorney on his own. Council members previously complained that they were not informed of, nor asked to vote on, the contractual arrangement.