Dunkirk Town Board is ready to hear from its residents regarding future decisions later this month. A Town Hall meeting has been set for Monday, July 29 at 6 p.m., at the Town Hall and Courthouse located off Route 5 on Willow Road.

Some of the discussion will likely center on consolidation, zoning book updates, the cost of water systems in the town, and police protection costs. A tour of facilities and areas of concern will also be on the agenda.

While the town has always been run properly, there has been an incorrect assumption lately by some who have been vocal that it is doing just fine on its own. That is only partially true.

This gets back to a May comment by Town Board member Phil Leone who said, “I don’t think our constituents understand what consolidation would mean as far as taxes increased. All of these towns seem to be in the red. We’re not in the red.”

That, again, is because the town is contracting for services that have been merged. If it wants to have a paid police, fire and water department on its own, it will certainly understand the financial pain.

During the town hall meeting later this month, officials need to be transparent about its costs — and the fact it benefits from partnerships, and yes, consolidations.