Dayton council rejects contract with Ranchester town marshal

SHERIDAN (WNE) — During its regular meeting Wednesday, Dayton Town Council rejected a contract agreement with Ranchester’s town marshal to help enforce the town of Dayton’s ordinances.

Currently, Mayor Clifford Reed approaches Dayton residents to inform them of an ordinance violation. Those interactions typically go well, though town clerk Hanlé Visser said some residents aren’t as friendly when meeting with town staff.

Ranchester town marshal Spencer Kukuchka was hired in January 2022 and has provided the town of Ranchester with a law enforcement presence since. In that role, Kukuchka can enforce town ordinances and issue citations for violations.

The town of Dayton would have paid the town of Ranchester $9,000, totaling $36,000 annually, for Kukuchka to spend an average of three hours of contact per week within Dayton town limits.

Reed said the cost is too high.

“At (about) $250 per hour, it’s very prohibitive,” Reed said.

Cassie Rehder, a Dayton resident, said her biggest concern about the proposed contract was its cost. She added she usually sees Kukuchka’s patrol vehicle parked at Ranchester Town Hall, rather than patrolling the community.

Reed noted the town of Dayton would have given Kukuchka specific assignments and requests, rather than asking him to patrol the community.

“We don’t want people to feel like they’re being watched,” Visser said.

Reed said the towns of Ranchester and Dayton have discussed contracting Kukuchka’s services on an on-call basis, though he added the costs would need to come down significantly for Dayton to enter an agreement.

This story was published on July 10, 2025.