Pomfret Town Supervisor Dan Pacos, right, is pictured at the county legislature’s Administrative Services Committee meeting, along with Lauren Sharp from the county Planning Department.

Last week, Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel asked Pomfret officials to consider merging with the village of Fredonia, town of Dunkirk and city of Dunkirk. While that idea is still under consideration, Pomfret is looking to explore other smaller consolidations first.

The Pomfret Town Board has submitted a request for $50,000 from the county as a match for some state Local Government Management Efficiency grants so it can explore various opportunities with neighboring municipalities.

Some possible consolidations include:

– Dissolving Fredonia’s Highway Department into the town of Pomfret’s Highway Department and having this new department also service the town of Dunkirk

– The Pomfret and Fredonia courts becoming one court

– Pomfret and Fredonia having a single code enforcement office

– Having a single dog control officer for Pomfret, Fredonia, Sheridan, the town of Dunkirk and the city of Dunkirk

The funding would be used to pay for a study to analyze and determine the process which best serves all parties in regards to equipment and potential associated debt, staffing and union contracts, taxing districts and funding sources.

Pomfret Supervisor Dan Pacos appeared at the county legislature’s Administrative Services and Public Facilities committee meetings this week and requested the $50,000 from the county’s Government Reduction Initiative that Wendel included in this year’s county budget.

Pacos said technically they’re applying for two different state grants and the $50,000 would be the match needed.

Pacos did acknowledge that Wendel has asked Pomfret to consider a full merger with neighboring municipalities, and he said they are open to that, but for now they want to explore sharing these services first.

“Let’s walk before we try to run,” he said.

Pacos said the towns of Sheridan and Arkwright have also reached out to Pomfret and said they are interested in possibly having Pomfret take over their highway departments as well.

At Monday’s committee meetings, the four ward Dunkirk city council members were in attendance and said they were interested in exploring consolidation as well.

“This is the first we’ve heard of this,” said Fourth Ward Councilman Mike Civiletto.

When Civiletto was asked which part they were interested in consolidating, he replied “everything.”

Administrative Services Committee Chairman Travis Heiser, R-Clymer, recommended the council members speak with Pacos after the meeting and continue the discussion.

Pacos said he was open to discussions with the Dunkirk City Council as well.

Legislator Bob Scudder, R-Fredonia, said although he’s not excited about having another study done, he sees value in looking at consolidating certain departments because that can address some of the union/non-union issues.

The full county legislature must vote for approval of the $50,000. That vote will take place next week.

Pacos said if either the county or the state rejects the grant applications, he doubts they will move forward with the studies.