ALLEGANY, N.Y. — Allegany officials have confirmed that village of Allegany Police Department services that had been provided both in the village and town, will not be provided in the town as of Tuesday.

Officials from the town and village, however, stressed that police protection will continue to be provided to town residents by the New York State Police and the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office.

Town Supervisor Kathy Martin said services provided by the village police were stopped beginning Tuesday as the town board opted not to renew the contract with the village.

Martin noted the town’s budgeted amount to pay the village for police services the first six months of 2019 was $6,000.

“Last fall, in figuring our budget, we budgeted for the contract in six-month increments,” she explained. “It was for the first half of the year, but we did not budget for the second half of the year.

“There were a number of factors involved, to be honest, it’s something the board has been discussing over the past couple of years,” Martin added. “Budget is definitely a factor and there were questions about the services we were receiving.”

Martin also noted that while the town appreciated the village police services, the town has been gradually scaling back the contract the past several years.

Martin said she spoke with representatives of the village police and the sheriff’s office Tuesday and received information on emergency services provided in the town.

“I did send a letter to Mayor Greg (Pearl) letting him know we had decided not to renew the contract, that we appreciated the service and I hoped that if this board or a future board see the need, we’d be open to negotiating a new contract.”

Martin said the future scenario for a new contract may or may not happen.

“As I said, budget was a factor, but there were other factors as well as far as services,” she stated. “It may be that this will force us to examine the situation and see if there is another way we can handle it.”

Martin reiterated that town residents will continue to receive emergency services from the state police and sheriff’s office, as they have been receiving all along.

When contacted, Pearl said that while the contract has not been renewed, village police services will be provided to town residents, if needed.

“If it’s a life or death situation we’re coming no matter what,” Pearl said. “We can’t do lock-outs and stuff like that” but can help in emergencies.

Pearl also noted that village residents will continue to see the same amount of services, and possibly more, from village police.