Dunkirk’s Common Council will look at hiring new police and fire chiefs this evening.

Mayor Kate Wdowiasz has nominated the Dunkirk Fire Department’s Lt. Nicholas Barter to take over as fire chief. The mayor wants Capt. Christopher Witkowski of the city police department to become Dunkirk’s top cop. The council is set to vote on both nominations Tuesday night, according to its agenda.

Witkowski’s salary for 2025 would be $112,000, the agenda states. Barter would make $92,000.

Witkowski was named acting chief of police when David Ortolano retired in November 2024. Previous Fire Chief Michael Edwards retired just weeks later, in December.

A Fredonia native, Barter was appointed to the Dunkirk Fire Department in 2008 and was promoted to lieutenant in 2014, according to the city’s website. Barter serves as the department’s Emergency Medical Liaison.

Witkowski’s LinkedIn page says he is a 22-year veteran of the Dunkirk Police Department, and a captain since 2021. He is a Dunkirk resident.