One Chautauqua County lawmaker believes the time is right for Dunkirk and Fredonia to consider merging its police and/or fire departments.

Robert Bankoski is one of three legislators for the city of Dunkirk. He notes that both communities are facing financial constraints.

Dunkirk Mayor Kate Wdowaisz has proposed a 108% property tax increase for 2025. The city council has reduced it slightly, proposing a 69% increase. A special meeting is taking place Saturday to hash out the differences.

Meanwhile, Fredonia is having difficulties of its own. Its treasurer has warned village leaders that they could be out of cash by the end of its fiscal year. They initially didn’t even have money to repair one of its fire trucks.

“The two biggest departments in both the city and village are the police and fire. They’re the most expensive,” Bankoski said during a phone interview. “Now would be the most opportune time.”

He noted that Police Chief Dave Ortolano has just retired and Dunkirk Fire Chief Mike Edwards may be retiring soon, although no official announcement has been made.

With one or both departments may have new leadership, Bankoski said it’s the perfect time to explore such an option.

If either the fire or the police departments merged, Bankoski believes there would be plenty of state aid available to make it beneficial.

“You could probably get a brand new building built somewhere on the city line somewhere,” he said, adding, “The state loves mergers and consolidations. There’s money out there to make that happen.”

Bankoski recognizes that the departments can’t merge before Dunkirk’s budget is due, however he believes that if they start the process now, the city may be able to significantly lower its tax rate the following year.

“By the end of 2025, we could get some significant tax relief for both municipalities by merging,” he said.

Bankoski said he has talked to Councilman At Large Nick Weiser about the possibility as well as Fredonia Mayor Mike Ferguson. Both told him they were open to the possibility.

“I just think this is the right time to do it,” he said.

When the Hartfield, Mayville and Dewittville fire departments merged, they met with attorney Brad Pinsky from Syracuse to examine the process. When asked if there’s anything the county can do, Bankoski said the county could help bring him in to start the process for the fire departments.

Dunkirk is an all-paid fire department, while Fredonia is a mix of paid and volunteers. Bankoski said someone like Pinsky would have the knowledge to know about what it takes for a paid and a mixed fire department to merge into one.

He said they could call themselves the Chadwick Bay fire or police department if they want, instead of calling it Dunkirk or Fredonia.

“I think it’s passed the time where we’re worried about putting somebody’s identity on it,” he said.

When asked about what is the first step, Bankoski said he’s “poking the bear” to start the conversation.

He just thinks the time has come.

“Let’s do what’s best for everybody. Our population is dwindling. People can’t afford to pay any more. We’re in a distressed area. People are living at the poverty level. You can’t ask people to pay a 108% tax increase like Kate wants to do,” Bankoski said.