Mayor Wilfred Rosas wants Michael Bobseine to be the next city attorney, but the council tabled his hiring. File photo

Dunkirk Mayor Wilfred Rosas wants Fredonia lawyer Michael Bobseine to be the new city attorney. On Tuesday, the Common Council said, “Not so fast.”

The council tabled, by a 3-2 vote, a resolution to hire Bobseine as the replacement for Richard Morrisroe, who will be resigning effective Jan. 1.

Council member James Stoyle proposed that Bobseine’s hire get tabled until Councilman-at-Large David Damico and Mayor Wilfred Rosas meet about changes to Rosas’ proposed 2023 budget. Damico, Stoyle and Nancy Nichols voted “aye,” while Martin Bamonto and Natalie Luczkowiak dissented.

Bobseine has previous experience in local government. He is a former chairman of the Chautauqua County Legislature and was a legislator for a decade, and more recently chaired the Fredonia Board of Education.

Bamonto said Bobseine’s experience and background would make him a good choice for city attorney. Luczkowiak also expressed support for him.

At Bamonto’s invitation, Bobseine spoke about his background during Tuesday’s meeting.

“I’ve gotta tell you, there’s a lot going on in the city of Dunkirk. There’s a lot of exciting things happening and that can happen,” he said. He later added, “I think I bring some experience and tools, and I would hope a … willingness to try to work with everyone. You have so much to offer here in the city of Dunkirk with your waterfront. Even though I’m currently a resident of Fredonia, if you can believe it, I just don’t distinguish between our communities.”