OCTOBER 28, 2019
The twentieth regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Lakewood, N.Y., was held Monday, October 28, 2019, 6:30 PM, with Deputy Mayor Edward J. McCague presiding. Trustees present were Ellen E. Barnes, Randall G. Holcomb and Douglas L. Schutte. Also present were Village Clerk Joseph M. Johnson, Village Treasurer Apryl L. Troutman and Building Inspector Jeffrey A. Swanson. Absent were Village Attorney John I. LaMancuso, Police Chief John R. Bentley, Department of Public Works Supervisor Thomas R. Pilling and Fire Chief Steve Smouse.
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 October 15, 2019, as amended.
Adopted: 4 ayes, no nays (Barnes, Holcomb, McCague, Schutte)
AUDIT OF CLAIMS
Motion by Trustee Barnes, seconded by Trustee Holcomb, that the claims as audited by the Auditing Committee of the abstracts dated October 28, 2019, be approved and that the Clerk shall execute said abstracts (#23 & #23), and direct payment by the Treasurer. Trust and Agency Fund: $ 50,514.53, (Checks #4906 thru #4910), General Fund: $ 95,916.43, (Checks #16279 thru #16317)
Adopted: 4 ayes, no nays (Barnes, Holcomb, McCague, Schutte)
REPORTS
Deputy Mayor McCague said he had no official report however wanted to note that the Lakewood Community Development Corporation (LCDC) sponsored Fall Fest, held Sunday,
October 20th was a very successful event and that they are awaiting a final financial report.
Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer Jeff Swanson wanted to report that the former Lexington Die Cast plant at 201 Winchester Road has a temporary tenant through the end of the year. He said the tenant is only utilizing a very small portion of the total floor space.
Mr. Swanson said he was pleased to report that the unsafe residential structures at 156 East Terrace Ave. and 22 East Summit Street, with help and support from the Chautauqua County Land Bank, have finally been razed and the lots cleared of all demolition material. Also, residents on Elizabeth Street should be pleased now that the “junk” vehicle at 119 Elizabeth Street has been removed and taken to the Lakewood-Busti Police Department impound area.
Mr. Swanson indicated that in connection with a proposal to construct a shelter at the dog park, it will need to be considered as a commercial structure and plans/drawings for it must comply with the New York State Building Codes.
Mr. Swanson concluded his report saying the construction of the new Taco Bell restaurant is slightly behind its original schedule, however they are still “shooting” for a November opening.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Trustee Holcomb said after hearing concerns from residents earlier this fall about the deer population within the Village of Lakewood, he reached out to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and is in receipt of a “Deer Management Plan” to be placed on file for future reference if need be. Trustee Holcomb noted that implementing the plan appears to be very involved however.
Deputy Mayor McCague suggested to Trustee Holcomb that he bring the “Deer Management Plan” to the next zoning committee meeting so members may take a look at it.
RESOLUTION #168-2019 – AUTHORIZE FUND TRANSFER
Motion by Trustee Barnes, seconded by Trustee Schutte, authorizing Village Treasurer Apryl L. Troutman to transfer $ 3,800.00 from Account A5110.40, [Street Maintenance-Contractual], into Account A5110.46, [Street Maintenance-Tree Service], due to an overage in the latter account.
Adopted: 4 ayes, no nays (Barnes, Holcomb, McCague, Schutte)
RESOLUTION #169-2019 – POSTPONE NEXT REGULAR BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
Motion by Trustee Schutte, seconded by Trustee Barnes, that due to the upcoming Veterans’ Day holiday, Monday, November 11th, to postpone the next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees from Monday, November 11th until Wednesday, November 13th. The meeting will be conducted in the Board Room of the Anthony C. Caprino Municipal Building at 6:30 PM, preceded by a 6:00 PM work session.
Adopted: 4 ayes, no nays (Barnes, Holcomb, McCague, Schutte)
RESOLUTION #170-2019 – AUTHORIZE FINANCE WORKSHOP ATTENDANCE
Motion by Trustee Holcomb, seconded by Trustee Barnes, authorizing Village Treasurer Apryl L. Troutman to attend a two day New York Government Finance Officers’ Association (NYGFOA) sponsored workshop on governmental accounting and financial reporting, November 14th & 15th at Genesee Community College, Batavia, N.Y. Cost of the workshop is $ 180.00, $ 50.00 for a Government Financial Initiative (GFI) Foundations Certificate, plus any related expenses and mileage.
Adopted: 4 ayes, no nays (Barnes, Holcomb, McCague, Schutte)
RESOLUTION #171-2019 – SPECIAL USE PERMIT APPLICATION SUBMITTAL
Motion by Trustee Barnes, seconded by Trustee Schutte, for the Board of Trustees to refer a Special Use Permit application as submitted by Mr. Bruce E. Stanton, 19 Webster Street, to both the Chautauqua County Department of Planning and the Village of Lakewood Planning Board for their review and comment. Mr. Stanton plans on establishing a restaurant/bar at 60 Chautauqua Ave., (former Craft Burgers & Brews). NOTE: In accordance with Section #25-13 (C) #2, [Retail Business (B-1) District], of the Village of Lakewood Zoning Law, the establishment of a bar, tavern or liquor store in a B-1 zoning district requires a special use permit.
Adopted: 4 ayes, no nays (Barnes, Holcomb, McCague, Schutte)
Mr. Stanton, who was in attendance, was asked by Deputy Mayor McCague if he would like to say a few words regarding his plans.
Mr. Stanton said he and his wife Laurie reside at 19 Webster Street and have lived in the Village of Lakewood for the past thirteen years. Mr. Stanton said he is currently working at Moonbrook Country Club and has been there for the past year or so. Before that, for twenty-five years he was in charge of food service and hospitality at the Chautauqua Institution’s Athenaeum Hotel, while also handling the General Manager’s duties. Mr. Stanton said before that he worked at the former Gristmill Restaurant in Jamestown.
Mr. Stanton then noted his wife Laurie also worked at the Chautauqua Institution and is currently working at the National Comedy Center in Jamestown.
He said at this point in his life, and with the good vibe that is going on in Lakewood, he and his wife thought it would be a good fit. Mr. Stanton said he would likely be leaning toward an American Contemporary cuisine resulting in a casual fine dining experience at a moderate price point, while accenting what is going on here in Lakewood.
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, Deputy Mayor McCague thanked Mr. & Mrs. Stanton for investing in the Village of Lakewood and welcomed him and his wife to its business community.
ANYONE TO BE HEARD
Mr. Rich Fischer, 43 West Fairmount Ave., appeared before the Board of Trustees, to publically thank Mr. Paul DeFrisco, owner of the building at 115-119 Chautauqua Ave., for restoring its façade and for investing money back into the Village of Lakewood.
Mr. Fischer said he would like to also thank those responsible for remodeling the former US Post Office building at 66 Chautauqua Ave., as a new and improved Independent Health office, and for keeping that business here in the Village of Lakewood.
Referring to a recent newspaper article and photo that appeared in The Post-Journal in connection with the Independent Health office’s re-grand opening and ribbon cutting, Mr. Fischer asked Deputy Mayor McCague why was he the only member of the Board of Trustees in attendance.
Deputy Mayor McCague indicated to Mr. Fischer he received an invitation from those organizing the ribbon cutting to be there, and represented the Village of Lakewood to the best of his ability, adding he didn’t know whether other members of the Board of Trustees were invited or not.
RECESS
Motion by Trustee Barnes, seconded by Trustee Holcomb, for the Board of Trustees to recess the regular meeting of the Board of Trustees at 6:50 PM, so as to enter into executive session, to discuss ongoing litigation.
Adopted: 4 ayes, no nays (Barnes, Holcomb, McCague, Schutte)
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Present at the executive session were Deputy Mayor Edward J. McCague, Trustee Ellen E. Barnes, Trustee Randall G. Holcomb, Trustee Douglas L. Schutte and Village Clerk Joseph M. Johnson. Motion by Trustee Schutte, seconded by Trustee Holcomb, to adjourn the executive session at 7:38 PM and to reopen the regular meeting.
Adopted: 4 ayes, no nays (Barnes, Holcomb, McCague, Schutte)
Motion by Trustee Barnes, seconded by Trustee Schutte, and unanimously carried the Board adjourned at 7:39 PM.
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Joseph M. Johnson
Village Clerk
