From left, Lakewood Village Trustee Ben Troche, Mayor Randy Holcomb, Trustee Richard Fischer, and Trustee Ellen Barnes discuss Monday a proposed sidewalk extension. P-J photo by Michael Zabrodsky

LAKEWOOD – After a lengthy discussion, the Lakewood Board of Trustees approved Monday a resolution to support and seek grant funding for a proposed sidewalk extension project on Route 394.

Trustee Richard Fischer cast a “no” vote opposing the project.

“I’m totally, totally against it,” Fischer said.

He contends that there is not enough pedestrian traffic to warrant new sidewalks. He also said that there are sidewalks in the village that residents and visitors do not use.

Fischer also said that if new sidewalks are constructed, they will be too close to residential property lines.

The New York State Department of Transportation – Region 5, said in a prepared statement, “has a road project in the planning and development phase that will restore the pavement condition on Route 394 (Fairmount Avenue) from Route 474 to the city of Jamestown encompassing the Village of Lakewood and the town of Busti in Chautauqua County.”

Trustee Ellen Barnes said she is not against the proposal, but would like more information regarding the project.

A community outreach meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the Busti Town Hall, 125 Chautauqua Ave. According to the state Department of Transportation, the meeting will gauge the community’s support for new sidewalks connecting the western edge of Route 394 in the town and village to the existing sidewalk on the northern and southern sides of Route 394.

The state DOT said displays and maps will be available to show the preliminary layout of the sidewalks along with potential impacts to trees and rights of way in the corridor. State DOT staff will be available to answer questions; there will be no formal presentation. The sidewalk project is not currently funded for the extension of sidewalks, but the state DOT is looking at funding opportunities.

In a statement, the state DOT said funding has been made available to the state through the Federal Highway Administration. The funding will be administered by the state DOT in the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ). The state DOT will apply for grants through the CMAQ for the project.

Trustee Ben Troche also wants to gather more information, and hear from any property owners that will attend.

“I’m curious about this (upcoming) meeting,” he said.

Trustee Nancy Jones also does not support the project, and cast the other “no” vote.

In other business:

– The board approved a measure to switch back to holding two meetings a month. In July, the board approved a measure to hold meetings once a month on the second Monday. Now the board will meet again on the second and fourth Monday. The reason, Mayor Randy Holcomb said, is that the village would like to pay bills more often than once per month.

– The board approved an agreement between the village and Busti that provides a law enforcement officer to the town on a part-time basis to act as a court officer in Busti Town Court.