SEPTEMBER 28, 2020
The eighteenth regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Lakewood, N.Y., was held Monday, September 28, 2020, 6:30 pm, with Mayor Randall G. Holcomb presiding. Trustees present were Ellen E. Barnes, R. Richard Fischer and Douglas L. Schutte. Trustee Edward J. McCague and Fire Chief Kurt Hallberg participated through Zoom.us. Also present were Village Clerk Mary B. Currie, Village Treasurer Apryl L. Troutman, Village Attorney John I. LaMancuso and DPW Supervisor Thomas R. Pilling. Absent were Police Chief John R. Bentley and Building Inspector Jeffrey A. Swanson.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion by Trustee Barnes, seconded by Trustee Fischer, to approve the minutes of the last regular meeting of the Board of Trustees held September 14, 2020.
Adopted: 4 ayes, no nays (Barnes, Fischer, McCague, Schutte)
AUDIT OF CLAIMS
Motion by Trustee Schutte, seconded by Trustee Barnes, that the claims as audited by the Auditing Committee of the abstracts dated September 28, 2020, be approved and that the Clerk shall execute said abstracts (#19 and #19) and direct payment by the Treasurer. Trust & Agency Fund: $ 50,647.29, (Checks #5133 through #5137), General Fund: $ 138,743.68, (Checks #17180 through #17201).
Adopted: 4 ayes, no nays (Barnes, Fischer, McCague, Schutte)
REPORTS
Mayor Randall Holcomb introduced Mr. David Wilfong as the new Fire Inspector for the Village of Lakewood/Town of Busti and welcomed him aboard.
Mr. Wilfong thanked Mayor Holcomb and said he completed a couple of inspections today and has a couple more scheduled for tomorrow.
DPW Supervisor Thomas R. Pilling reported the re-paving projects on Mapleview Ave. & Winchester Road have been completed and next week the DPW will begin work on repairing and replacing some of the sidewalks on Ohio Ave.
DPW Supervisor Pilling said his crew is currently in the process of replacing and leveling some of the bricks on Chautauqua Ave.
Mr. Pilling said he has just received word that the CHIPS money has been reduced by $31,000.00 this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Police Chief John R. Bentley submitted the Lakewood-Busti Police Department’s Incident Analysis Report saying the L-BPD responded to three hundred fifty two incidents for the period of September 14, 2020 to September 28, 2020.
Chief Bentley asked the Village Board of Trustees for approval to advertise for “Request for Bids” for a new Police Patrol Car, which he indicated is in the current budget.
Chief Bentley indicated he is anticipating two openings for part-time officers and would like approval to pursue filling those openings, once they occur.
Fire Chief Kurt Hallberg submitted his report for the Lakewood Fire Department stating there has been six hundred twenty-seven alarms year to date with fifty-seven so far in the month of September.
Chief Hallberg said all the members of the Lakewood Fire Department have completed their physicals.
Chief Hallberg said the testing for aerial and ground ladders has been done, hose testing is scheduled to be done in
October and Air Pack testing is schedule for November. Once these tests are completed all the required testing will be complete for the year.
Village Attorney John I. LaMancuso said he has completed the paperwork for the parcels of property being transferred from the Town of Busti to the Village of Lakewood for the Grandview Stormwater Management Project.
Ms. Bernadette van der Vliet, Lakewood NY Farmers’ and Artisans’ Market Manager, reported the 2020 season was a great success both for shoppers as well as vendors. She said the Market was well attended this year, the shoppers seemed happy to able to get out and the vendor’s sales were up quite a bit from last year.
Ms. van der Vliet thanked the Mayor and the Board of Trustees for the support the Farmers’ Market receives from them and for their help in acquiring the Wilson Farms parking lot, once again this year.
Ms. Ruth Wahl, Farmers’ Market Committee Member, said this year the Farmers’ Market was a Nutrition Program Site, which means people were able to get nutrition checks to be used towards purchases.
Trustee Edward J. McCague reported he has completed the Alliance Request for Applications (RFA) package for the Fairmount Stormwater Basin and Watershed Improvement Project and submitted it on September 24, 2020.
Trustee McCague said a copy of the completed application is at the Village Clerk’s Office if anyone would like to review it.
Mayor Holcomb said he has received an Appraisal Analysis from Mr. Thomas Turner of Century 21 Turner Brokers, on the paper streets, Harlem Ave, and Glenwood Ave., which he read.
Dear Mayor Holcomb,
As requested, I went out to see the vacant properties on Summit south to the railroad tracks on Glenwood, Pleasantview, Woodlawn and Harlem Aves., These paper streets are of no use to anyone but the adjoining neighbors which is the Village of Lakewood Fire Company and there is no market value beyond what neighbors would be willing to pay to create a description and deed transfer. The village actually has a long history of dividing the streets among adjoining landowners when they are abandoned and not used. They did it for me years ago down on Olive Ave. Should you have any question, please feel free to call.
Warm Regards,
Thomas Turner
Century 21 Turner Brokers.
RESOLUTION #146-2020 – DETERMINATION OF “PAPER STREETS”
HARLEM AVE. & GLENWOOD AVE.
Motion by Mayor Holcomb, seconded by Trustee Barnes, that the Board of Trustees determined the portion of the paper streets, Harlem Ave., and Glenwood Ave., from the south side of E. Summit St. to the north side of E. First St. right-of-way, is surplus property and of no use to the Village of Lakewood and the village does not anticipated needing it in the future and therefore opts to abandon said “paper streets.”
Adopted: 4 ayes, no nays (Barnes, Fischer, McCague, Schutte)
RESOLUTION #147-2020 – APPROVE THE TRANSFER OF PAPER STREETS HARLEM, WOODLAWN, PLEASANTVIEW & GLENWOOD AVES.
Motion by Mayor Holcomb, seconded by Trustee Barnes, for the Board of Trustees to approve the transfer of paper streets known as Harlem, Woodlawn, Pleasantview and Glenwood Aves., from the south side of E. Summit St. to the north side of the E. First Street right-of-way and subject to the exact boundaries, being set with the survey, to the Lakewood Volunteer Fire Company, Inc. All costs associated with the transfer of the property, including the survey, will be incurred by the Lakewood Volunteer Fire Company, Inc.
Adopted: 4 ayes, no nays (Barnes, Fischer, McCague, Schutte)
RESOLUTION #148-2020 – SET HALLOWEEN TRICK OR TREAT HOURS
Motion by Mayor Holcomb, seconded by Trustee Barnes, to set 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM, as the hours for Trick or Treating within the Village of Lakewood on Halloween, October 31st.
Adopted: 4 ayes, no nays (Barnes, Fischer, McCague, Schutte)
RESOLUTION #149-2020 – AUTHORIZE MID-YEAR BUDGET TRANSFER
Motion by Trustee Schutte, seconded by Trustee Barnes, to authorize Village Treasurer Apryl L. Troutman to make the following mid-year budget transfers for budget shortfalls, $ 116.99 from A5110.40 {Street Maintenance – Contractual} to A5110.43 {Street Maintenance – Vehicle Maintenance} and $ 5,500.00 from A5110.40 {Street Maintenance – Contractual} to A5110.46 {Street Maintenance – Tree Service}.
Adopted: 4 ayes, no nays (Barnes, Fischer, McCague, Schutte)
RESOLUTION #150-2020 – AUTHORIZE REQUEST FOR BIDS: LAND SURVEYING
Motion by Mayor Holcomb, seconded by Trustee Schutte, to authorize the Village Board of Trustees to seek bids for Land Surveying on property to be transferred from Ronald Davidson to the Village of Lakewood for the Grandview Stormwater Management Project.
Adopted: 4 ayes, no nays (Barnes, Fischer, McCague, Schutte)
RESOLUTION #151-2020 – TRANSFER OF DAVIDSON PROPERTY TO THE VILLAGE OF LAKEWOOD
Motion by Trustee Schutte, seconded by Trustee Barnes, to authorize Village Attorney John I. LaMancuso, to prepare the necessary paperwork in the transfer of land from Ronald Davidson to the Village of Lakewood for the Grandview Stormwater Management Project plus authorize Mayor Holcomb to execute the documents associated with the transfer.
Adopted: 4 ayes, no nays (Barnes, Fischer, McCague, Schutte)
RESOLUTION #152-2020 – TABLE REQUEST TO PURCHASE PROPERTY AT 10 OLIVE AVE.
Motion by Trustee Barnes, seconded by Trustee Schutte, for the Board of Trustees to table any action on the request to purchase 10 Olive Ave., by Ms. Tammy Moreen, until more information is obtained.
Adopted: 4 ayes, no nays (Barnes, Fischer, McCague, Schutte)
RESOLUTION #153-2020 – APPLY FOR THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM
Motion by Trustee Barnes, seconded by Trustee McCague, to authorize Clinton Brown Company Architecture, Buffalo, N.Y., to apply to the Preservation League of NYS for a grant for an exterior conditions study of the Village Hall focusing on the conditions of its windows and lack of accessibility by the disabled to the Lakewood History Museum and prepare the grant at no cost and complete the study if funded.
Adopted: 4 ayes, no nays (Barnes, Fischer, McCague, Schutte)
RESOLUTION #154-2020 – AUTHORIZE REQUEST FOR BIDS RE: NEW POLICE DEPT. VEHICLE
Motion by Trustee Schutte, seconded by Trustee Barnes, authorizing Police Chief John R. Bentley to request sealed bids for one (1) new Police Patrol Car. Bids will be received at or before 3:00 PM., Wednesday, October 21, 2020.
Adopted: 4 ayes, no nays (Barnes, Fischer, McCague, Schutte)
ANYONE TO BE HEARD
Mr. Dave Card, 38 Chautauqua Ave., said once again this past Sunday, Group Ther-Happy, 103 Chautauqua Ave., had a band that should of been done playing music at 7 PM but continued to play until 8 PM. Mr. Card said from 4-7 PM the music isn’t bad but seems to get louder from 7-8 PM.
Mr. Thomas Marlinski, 36 Ohio Ave., said he doesn’t understand why they have a permit to play music until 7 PM but continue to play until 8 PM. If they wanted to play until 8 PM, they should have gotten the permit until 8 PM.
Trustee Fischer said he heard the band got paid to play longer this past weekend.
Mayor Holcomb said he would be happy to reach out the owners of Group Ther-Happy and once again stress the importance of abiding by the permit issued.
Mr. David Card thanked the Village Board of Trustees, DPW Supervisor Thomas Pilling and Village Clerk Mary Currie for all the work they did with the Live on the Lake summer concert series, he said it was very successful and well attended.
Mr. Card also wondered if there has been any word on the “No Smoking Signs” Chautauqua County was going to supply the village for the parks.
Mayor Holcomb told Mr. Card he will follow up with the appropriate Chautauqua County officials.
RECESS
Motion by Mayor Holcomb, seconded by Trustee Schutte, to recess the regular meeting of the Board of Trustees at 7:15 PM, so as to enter into executive session.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Present at the executive session were Mayor Randall G. Holcomb, Trustee Ellen E. Barnes, Trustee Edward J. McCague, Trustee Douglas L. Schutte, Trustee R. Richard Fischer, Village Attorney John I. LaMancuso, Village Clerk Mary B. Currie and Village Treasurer Apryl L. Troutman.
EXECUTIVE SESSION (Adjournment)
Motion by Trustee Schutte, seconded by Trustee Barnes and unanimously carried to adjourn the executive session and reopen the regular meeting of the Board of Trustees at 8:06 PM.
Adopted: 4 ayes, no nays (Barnes, Fischer, McCague, Schutte)
RESOLUTION #155-2020 – AUTHORIZE FILLING OPEN PART-TIME POLICE OFFICER POSITION
Motion by Trustee Fischer, seconded by Trustee Barnes, to authorize Police Chief John R. Bentley to hire one (1) part-time Police Officer to fill one of the anticipated upcoming vacancies and keep the second position open, but not to be filled at this time.
Adopted: 4 ayes, no nays (Barnes, Fischer, McCague, Schutte)
RESOLUTION #156-2020 – APPROVE NON-UNION WAGE INCREASES
Motion by Trustee Barnes, seconded by Trustee Fischer, to approve a 1% wage increase for non-union employees. NOTE: These wage increases will be retroactive as of June 1, 2020.
Adopted: 4 ayes, no nays (Barnes, Fischer, McCague, Schutte)
Motion by Trustee Barnes, seconded by Trustee Schutte and unanimously carried to adjourn the regular Board of Trustees meeting at 8:08 PM.
__________________________
Mary B. Currie
Village Clerk
