Ordinarily around this time of year -- at least for the last four years -- Fredonia council has renewed the contract it has with Jefferson-Clark Regional Police to keep a police presence in the borough.

But this year, the citizens of Fredonia will get to decide whether police are a necessity for the tiny town. Council is hosting a town meeting from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Monday at the Fredonia Presbyterian Church, 24 Water St., to get a residents' opinions.

When the borough began having trouble with juveniles hanging in the park and violating curfew, the borough began paying Jefferson-Clark Regional $16,000 a year for police to patrol the borough 20 hours each week.

"Things happened and they escalated," said Councilwoman Sheri Valimont. "We thought it would be a worthwhile thing for the borough, and also for the safety and security of residents."

The only other police coverage available was from state police, but they're busy covering the entire county, she said.