AUGUST 13, 2018
The fifteenth regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Lakewood, N.Y., was held Monday, August 13, 2018, 6:30 PM, with Mayor Cara Birrittieri presiding. Trustees present were Ellen E. Barnes, Edward J. McCague and Douglas L. Schutte. Also present were Village Clerk Joseph M. Johnson, Village Treasurer Andrea J. Windoft, Police Chief John R. Bentley, Department of Public Works Supervisor Thomas R. Pilling, Fire Chief Steve Smouse and Building Inspector Jeffrey A. Swanson. Absent were Trustee Randall G. Holcomb and Village Attorney John I. LaMancuso.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion by Trustee Schutte, seconded by Trustee Barnes, to approve the minutes of the last regular meeting of the Board of Trustees, held July 23, 2018.
Adopted: 3 ayes, no nays (Barnes, McCague, Schutte)
AUDIT OF CLAIMS
Motion by Trustee McCague, seconded by Trustee Barnes, that the claims as audited by the Auditing Committee of the abstracts dated July 31, 2018 and August 13, 2018, be approved and that the Clerk shall execute said abstracts (# 9 #10, & #11) and direct payment by the Treasurer. General Fund: [End of Month], $ 24,539.43, (Checks #14998 thru #15001), Trust & Agency Fund: $ 61,446.56, (Checks #4484 thru #4497), General Fund: $ 117,788.77 (Checks #15002 thru #15054)Adopted: 3 ayes, no nays (Barnes, McCague, Schutte)
REPORTS
Mayor Birrittieri began her report by first thanking her fellow Board members, the respective department heads and the entire community for the outpouring of support and sympathy she and her family has received following the recent death of her dear mother. She said the level of kindness and sympathy shown by this community was absolutely wonderful.
Mayor Birrittieri noted that the 2018 Live on the Lake concert series, which concluded last Thursday, enjoyed record attendance this year. The Live on the Lake events also included the 3 C’s Catering food truck plus free exercise classes prior to the concerts compliments of the Fitness Bunker. Mayor Birrittieri thanked the volunteers from the Events & Marketing Committee for their contributions. She also thanked the numerous Chautauqua Ave. businesses for their support of the concert series by participating in an advertising package through the Media 1 radio stations. Although the concert series is over, the Farmers’ & Artisans’ Market continues on Thursdays through August 30th, 2:00 – 6:00 PM.
Department of Public Works Supervisor Thomas R. Pilling reported that the basketball court at Veterans’ Memorial Park has been resealed and re-striped, the clock tower has been re-stained, the DPW crew completed chip-sealing 2.5 miles of roads last week and that this year’s street paving program has been completed. Mr. Pilling said other projects yet to be completed this year include installing a stormwater drainage pipe on Oak Street and the replacement of sidewalks on Lakeview Ave., from East First Street north to E. Summit Street and on East First Street from Lakeview Ave. east to Bentley Ave.
Trustee McCague wished to publically thank Mr. Pilling and his entire DPW crew for the many projects they have been able to complete this year so far.
Police Chief John R. Bentley reported that the Lakewood-Busti Police Department has handled five thousand six hundred twenty-nine incidents year-to-date, five hundred seventy-six of which have occurred the past three weeks. Chief Bentley also noted that the L-BPD has received a Traffic Safety Grant from New York State in the amount of $ 6,120.00.
He concluded his report by saying K-9 Officer Miro, recently played a key role in flushing out a felon who had fled into a nearby woods when a warrant for his arrest was trying to be served.
Fire Chief Smouse reported that the Lakewood Volunteer Fire Department responded to eighty-eight alarms during the month of July and a total of five hundred sixty-three year-to-date. Chief Smouse then informed Mayor Birrittieri and members of the Board of Trustees that the Lakewood Fire Company, Inc. recently signed a contract to purchase a 2018 Sutphen Aerial Ladder Truck, which is expected to be delivered sometime in early November. Chief Smouse indicated a few things triggered the Fire Company’s decision to purchase a new ladder truck at this time. He said the 1990 aerial ladder truck has had some maintenance issues, by buying now the fire company will not be impacted by the new tariffs on steel and aluminum plus the fire company is in a good place financially. Chief Smouse said the total cost of the demonstration model of the 2018 Sutphen Aerial Ladder Truck is just under 1.2 million dollars.
Village Treasurer Andrea J. Windoft reported that the Village of Lakewood has received its August 2018 quarterly sales tax payment in the amount of $ 177,260.95, which is 4% higher than the payment received during the corresponding quarter last year. Mrs. Windoft then reminded Trustee Schutte, who is the Treasurer for the Lakewood Community Development Corporation, to remit any sponsorship monies they received for the 2018 4th of July Summerfest, and if possible a list of the donors and what they gave.
Trustee Schutte asked Mrs. Windoft why would she need a list of the donors.
Treasurer Windoft indicated to Trustee Schutte that the sponsorship monies would likely be something an auditor would be drawn to and investigate further any incoming revenue.
Trustee Schutte said he would be happy to check with the other officers of the Lakewood Community Development Corporation. He did say it could be a matter of privacy, in that those individuals or companies made gifts to a 501c3 organization.
Mayor Birrittieri suggested that Mrs. Windoft’s request for a list of donors could be looked into by Village Attorney LaMancuso.
Building Inspector Swanson reported that he, Trustee Holcomb and Town Supervisor Robbins conducted interviews for the position of Fire Inspector. There were two applicants and it was decided to hire Mr. Mike Gleason as the Fire Inspector for both the Town of Busti and the Village of Lakewood.
Mr. Swanson said he is working with the Code Enforcement Officer from the Town of Ellicott in creating a common or unified Fire Inspection Check Sheet, to be used by all three municipalities. Building Inspector Swanson also indicated that he would like to revamp the Village of Lakewood &Town of Busti Building Permit application, but he is waiting to hear how New York State is going to handle the energy code. He said it is unclear if new energy guidelines are going to part of the Building Permit application or be a separate application.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Trustee McCague wanted to let people know that the Celebrate Chautauqua Lake Rally that was going to be held at the Bemus Point Casino, Saturday morning, August 18th has been postponed.
He also reported that the folks at the Lakewood Memorial Library have asked him to announce that they are conducting a survey, requesting updated opinions and thoughts regarding the services they provide. Trustee McCague indicated the survey can be done on line or in paper form and will probably close sometime around mid-September.
Trustee McCague, on behalf of the Planning & Implementation Committee, presented to Mayor Birrittieri a copy of the 2018 Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) in connection with the New York Main Street Target Area Building Renovation Program for Chautauqua Ave. Trustee McCague indicated that the application
was submitted on July 27th and features both interior and exterior improvements to buildings located on Chautauqua Ave. The program, with an estimated cost of $ 601,671.00, seeks grant funding of $ 340,492.00, with financial commitments from property owners of up to $ 261,179.00. The program involves investments in fifteen commercial units and six residential units, all located within the target area along Chautauqua Ave. Trustee McCague said the cost to the taxpayers for this grant application is $500.00.
Trustee McCague also reported that the $ 20,000.00 Main Street Technical Assistant Grant was recently completed, for which the Village of Lakewood received a Master Plan for Chautauqua Ave. The plan included a mixed-use building reuse analysis plus design standards and zoning recommendations.
Trustee McCague would like to first thank Mayor Birrittieri for her unconditional support of these grant opportunities, along with members of the Board of Trustees for their support. He then thanked our elected representatives namely Senator Catharine Young, Assemblyman Andrew Goodell, County Executive George Borello and County Legislator P.J. Wendel for providing letters of support for this grant. Trustee McCague also thanked Ms. Eve Holberg, Senior Planner from LaBella for her expertise. He said the CFA grant will be awarded in mid-December, and although it has been a long process, it is an example of how things can get done if people work together.
Mayor Birrittieri then thanked Trustee McCague for all the time, energy and drive that he has given to this grant project.
RESOLUTION #104-2018 – AUTHORIZE NYSERDA SEMINAR ATTENDANCE
Motion by Trustee McCague, seconded by Trustee Barnes, authorizing members of the Village of Lakewood Zoning Committee, plus former Planning Board Chairperson, Ms. Kaie Smith, to attend a New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA) seminar on Model Solar Energy Local Law, to be held Thursday, October 25, 2018, (6:30 – 8:30 PM), in the Carnahan Center at Jamestown Community College. Registration Fee: $ 20.00/per person
Adopted: 3 ayes, no nays (Barnes, McCague, Schutte)
RESOLUTION #105-2018 – SET TIME AND DATE FOR PUBLIC HEARING
Motion by Trustee Barnes, seconded by Trustee Schutte, to set 6:45 PM, Monday, August 27, 2018, as the time and date for the Board of Trustees to conduct a public hearing on the Site Plan Review application as submitted by Olympus Brokerage Co., Ltd., Camillus, New York, regarding their proposal to redevelop the property at 347 East Fairmount Ave. as the future site of a 2,800 sq. ft. Metro Mattress store.
Adopted: 3 ayes, no nays (Barnes, McCague, Schutte)
RESOLUTION #106-2018 – APPROVE THE TRANSFER OF THE 1990 AERIAL LADDER FIRE TRUCK
Motion by Trustee McCague, seconded by Trustee Barnes, for the Board of Trustees, acting as the Board of Fire Commissioners, to approve the transfer of the 1990 Simon-Duplex LT1 Aerial Ladder Truck from the Village of Lakewood to the Lakewood Volunteer Fire Company, Inc., per the request Fire Chief Steve Smouse. The current ladder truck will be used as a trade-in on the Lakewood Volunteer Company’s purchase of a 2018 aerial ladder truck later this year.
Adopted: 3 ayes, no nays (Barnes, McCague, Schutte)
Motion by Trustee Barnes, seconded by Trustee Schutte, and unanimously carried the Board adjourned at 7:04 PM.
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Joseph M. Johnson
Village Clerk
