Dunkirk holds public hearing on proposed abandonment of section of Deer Street; no public comment

The Dunkirk Common Council opened a public hearing at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, 2025, to consider discontinuing and abandoning the portion of Deer Street north of Fourth Street to the Save A Lot Plaza; no members of the public offered comment, the council said.

The hearing, which the presiding official said was required to “ensure transparency and to give the public the opportunity to comment before any formal action is taken by council,” was opened and then closed without public testimony. Clerk Herb Dobek was asked to record that the hearing had been completed.

The hearing record was referenced later in the meeting when Council member Nichols moved to strike a scheduling resolution related to the item — Resolution 29-25 — from the unfinished-business section of the agenda on the grounds that the public hearing had been held. Council member Laskowiak seconded the motion. The roll call vote recorded Council members Laskowiak, Zatorski, Nichols and Council member at-large Weiser voting "Aye," and the motion carried.

There was no substantive discussion recorded on the council floor about the practical effects of discontinuing or abandoning the street segment during the hearing; the council did not take a final disposition on the abandonment at Tuesday’s meeting.

Because the hearing produced no public comment, the council’s next step on the proposal — whether to prepare a formal disposition, hold additional hearings, or take up related legislative steps — was not indicated during the meeting.