NOVEMBER 22, 2021
The twenty-second regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Lakewood, N.Y., was held Monday, November 22, 2021, 6:30 PM, with Mayor Randall G. Holcomb presiding. Trustees Ellen E. Barnes, and R. Richard Fischer were also present. Trustees Edward J. McCague and Douglas L. Schutte participated via Zoom.us. Also present were Village Clerk Mary B. Currie, Deputy Clerk Julie C. Toennis, Police Chief Christopher DePonceau, Village Attorney John I. LaMancuso DPW Supervisor Thomas Pilling and Fire Chief Kurt Hallberg. Absent were Village Treasurer Apryl L. Troutman and Building Inspector Jeff Swanson.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion by Trustee Fischer, seconded by Trustee Barnes, to approve the minutes of the last regular meeting of the Board of Trustees held November 8, 2021.
Adopted: 4 ayes, no nays (Barnes, Fischer, McCague, Schutte)
AUDIT OF CLAIMS
Motion by Trustee Fischer, seconded by Trustee Barnes, that the claims as audited by the Board of Trustees for the abstracts dated November 22, 2021, be approved and that the Clerk shall execute said abstracts (#27 & #27) and direct payment by the Treasurer. General Fund: $ 623,169.60 (checks #18350 through #18393), Trust & Agency Fund: $ 60,899.08 (checks #6092 through #6095).
Adopted: 4 ayes, no nays (Barnes, Fischer, McCague, Schutte)
REPORTS
DPW Supervisor Thomas R. Pilling reported his crew is on the second time around picking up leaves. He indicated crews will continue to pick-up leaves until snowy conditions prevail.
Mr. Pilling said he recently went to Lockport, NY to purchase a Push Box Plow which will be installed on the loader that will be cleaning the snow on Chautauqua Ave. He said it has a rubber blade and shouldn’t beat up the bricks like a regular plow blade would do.
Mayor Holcomb asked Mr. Pilling if he was aware that the clock on the tower is not working properly and said Jason from the Watch Shop thought he might be able to help.
Mr. Pilling said he has tried several different things, but nothing has worked so far. Mr. Pilling added he will be happy to contact Jason at The Watch Shop.
Police Chief Christopher A. DePonceau reported the Lakewood-Busti Police Department has had three hundred thirty-two incidents from November 8, 2021 to November 22, 2021.
Fire Chief Kurt Hallberg reported the Lakewood Volunteer Fire Department has had eight hundred sixty-five alarms year to date, which is six more alarms than were answered through this time last year.
Chief Hallberg indicated a number of recent EMS alarms may have been COVID-19 related.
Chief Hallberg said he and 1st Assistant Chief Steve Smouse went to all the village owned right-of-ways and took pictures of the ones they felt could be a problem for fire trucks, should they need access to the lake. Chief Hallberg said he is most concerned about the large boat lifts and the utility pole in the middle of Glenwood Ave., and the fact that Canal St. is completely blocked by docks and boat lifts.
Trustee Barnes asked Chief Hallberg if he thought the right-of-ways would be alright as they are for the remainder of the winter or if he would prefer letters to be sent to the property owners asking them that certain items be removed.
The Board of Trustees decided to let the right-of-ways stay as they are for this winter and to have letters sent to all abutting property owners informing them that nothing is to be stored on the public right-of-ways beginning summer 2022.
Mayor Randall G. Holcomb wished to thank all that attended and participated in the Grand Opening celebration on Saturday of the Chautauqua Ave. Green Street Retrofit project completion. He said it was a good event to open Chautauqua Ave. back up.
Mayor Holcomb reported on a Chautauqua County Shared Services panel meeting he attended and said the county has many projects planned in all areas of the county. He said this is all new shared services not already existing and future items are being considered for the ARPA funds for next year.
Trustee Fischer thanked all the merchants and people who continued to support the restaurants and stores on Chautauqua Ave. while the project was on going.
RESOLUTION #205-2021 – AUTHORIZE MID-YEAR BUDGET TRANSFER
Motion by Trustee Fischer, seconded by Trustee McCague, to authorize Village Treasurer Apryl L. Troutman to make the following mid-year budget transfer for a budget shortfall: $ 6,475.00 from A-5110.40 {Street Maintenance-Contractual} to A-5110.46 {Street Maintenance-Tree Service}.
Adopted: 4 ayes, no nays (Barnes, Fischer, McCague, Schutte)
RESOLUTION #206-2021 – AUTHORIZE HIRING OF NEW DPW EMPLOYEE
Motion by Trustee Barnes, seconded by Trustee Fischer, for the Board of Trustees to authorize the hiring of Mr. Tanner Maynard, 24 E. Second St., Lakewood, NY, as a Laborer for the Department of Public Works. Per the recommendation of DPW Supervisor Thomas Pilling, Mr. Maynard’s start date will be November 29, 2021 and will be compensated at a rate of $17.00/hr.
Adopted: 4 ayes, no nays (Barnes, Fischer, McCague, Schutte)
RESOLUTION #207-2021 – AUTHORIZE USE OF RICHARD O. HARTLEY PARK
Motion by Trustee Barnes, seconded by Trustee Schutte, to authorize Jamestown’s Community Helping Hands to use Richard O. Hartley Park & Beach to host a fund raiser featuring a polar plunge and coat drive on Saturday, January 15, 2022 and approve the placement of a port-a-potty and/or tent, at their cost, for the day of the event.
Adopted: 4 ayes, no nays (Barnes, Fischer, McCague, Schutte)
RESOLUTION #208-2021 – CHARTER COMMUNICATION ACH PAYMENTS
Motion by Trustee Fischer, seconded by Trustee McCague, to authorize the village to start receiving contactless payments through Automated Clearing House transactions (ACH) with Charter Communications.
Adopted: 4 ayes, no nays (Barnes, Fischer, McCague, Schutte)
RESOLUTION #209-2021 – TABLE DISCUSSION ON PAYMENT FOR AMBULANCE
Motion by Trustee Schutte, seconded by Trustee Barnes, to table discussion on sharing payment for a new ambulance with the Lakewood Fire Company until the next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees on December 13, 2021 and such a time more information is available for all Village Trustees.
Adopted: 4 ayes, no nays (Barnes, Fischer, McCague, Schutte)
Motion by Trustee Barnes, seconded by Trustee Fischer and unanimously carried to adjourn the regular meeting of the Board of Trustees at 6:50 PM.
Adopted: 4 ayes, no nays (Barnes, Fischer, McCague, Schutte)
_____________________________________
Mary B. Currie
Village Clerk
