For the moment, it makes sense for the town of Dunkirk to have only one justice. During a recent meeting, the Town Board discussed there a lack of candidates for the position.

“We have advertised for a second judge, with no takers,” said town Supervisor Juan Pagan. “We haven’t had any luck in bringing a second judge on board.”

A public hearing will take place at the next Town Board meeting, June 20 at 6:15 p.m., to entertain eliminating the open position and moving forward with just one judge. If the town chooses to move ahead with a local law to reduce the sitting justices in the town from two to one, the local law is subject to mandatory referendum on the ballot in November.

Without a high caseload — and a town that has a population of 1,200 — this seems to make complete sense. Especially with current Justice Christopher Penfold saying he can handle the job for the time being.