Jan 24, 2025
OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen Resident Pete Miller reiterated his desire for a sign welcoming residents and guests to the Town of Dunkirk at a recent meeting of the Town Board.
Town of Dunkirk resident Pete Miller had a dream recently that he crossed into the Town and was greeted by a beautiful new sign.
Then he woke up.
Miller reiterated his desire for a sign for the Town of Dunkirk at a recent Town Board meeting. Miller has requested a sign for several years, but he sees even more of a need now to push for a sign to enhance the Town’s identity. Miller referenced a recent OBSERVER article highlighting the difficulties people have distinguishing between the town and city after several town residents feared the city’s financial woes would impact them too.
“I do think it’s more important now that we establish ourselves, because I think we are going to get a lot of feedback from the city. They are wanting us to merge with them for their benefit,” Miller said.
Contrary to what many believe, the town of Dunkirk has never been part of the city. Prior to being named its own town, it was part of the town of Pomfret. In New York state, every municipality outside of a city is technically located inside a town. The city of Dunkirk was clearly defined in maps going back centuries, but the town of Dunkirk was not.
The town of Dunkirk is researching its anniversary date with hopes of having a sign made for whenever that date may be. Town Supervisor Priscilla Penfold reassured Miller that she is not ignoring his request.
Also of note, a busy year recently came to an end for the Town’s Justice Court. The Court handled a total of 3,182 cases in 2024, resulting in $293,699 of revenue for the Town. Just in the month of December, a total of 215 cases were handled, resulting in $17,278 of revenue for the Town.
Additionally, the Town Clerk’s Office collected $790 in fees and $66 for dog licenses in the month of December.
The Town Board issued a corrective resolution at its most recent meeting to reclassify the recently hired Michael Schwertfeger from the title of Court Officer to Municipal Court Attendant. Schwertfeger is an active corrections officer at the Lakeview Shock Incarceration Correctional Facility.
The Town of Dunkirk Zoning Board of Appeals named Scott Pagano as its Chairman and Michael Miller as Vice Chairman. The Planning Board named Paul Bowers as Chairman.
The next regular meeting of the Dunkirk Town Board is Feb. 18 at 5:30 p.m. at the Town Hall and Court.
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