LAKEWOOD — The Lakewood Board of Trustees Monday gave the green light for five, right of way dock permit applications to access Chautauqua Lake.

For people that do not own lakeside property, permits provide a way of getting access to the lake by allowing them to build a dock. The right of ways are dead end roads with sections of land between the lake and the roads. The rights of way allow The Lakewood Volunteer Fire Department to access the lake for gathering water during a fire, if there is a need.

Here are the approved applicatants:

¯ Renee Czarniak, 205 W. Summit St., for the Division Street right of way.

¯ Joe Fusco, 147 E. Terrace Ave., for the Crescent Avenue right of way.

¯ Eric Steinbrenner, 5 Pleasantview Ave., for the Pleasantview Avenue right of way.

¯ Sherri Grasak, 159 E. Terrace Ave., for the Glenwood Avenue right of way.

¯ John Johnson, 178 Front Street., for the Woodlawn Avenue right of way.

“They can get the permit. They can put a dock out (on the lake). They can dock a boat, but nobody else can,” according to deputy clerk Julie Toeniss.

Toeniss noted that all applicants must carry insurance. Toeniss also said that any village resident or village visitor can use the dock for fishing, sunbathing, swimming, but they are not permitted to use the it to dock boats or personal watercrafts. Toeniss added that when the docks are stored on land for winter, the applicants must leave room for a fire vehicle to access.

“We’re very strict on making sure that everyone that has a permit, has put their dock as far over as possible. The DPW (Department of Public Works) Supervisor inspects it, and makes sure that a fire truck can get down there (to access the lake),” Toeniss added.

If people are not in compliance, Toeniss noted, they will receive a letter stating that they need to come into compliance.

The permits are free, Toeniss said, and if a property owner had the permit the year prior, he is designated the first applicant unless he refuses. “It (the permit) always goes to that person who had it the year before,” she said. “They (the permits) are in very high demand. People want them. We go by a seniority rule,” she said.

Trustee Richard Fischer echoed her thoughts. “If you don’t live down there (on the lake), and you want to put a dock at the end of the right of way, you have to come before us (the board) and get a permit in order to do that.”

In other business the board approved the July Fourth fireworks display by Gibson Fireworks of Tidioute, Pa. for $15,000. According Mayor Randy Holcomb, Gibson will provide 3,262 fireworks shells. Gibson will set up and fire the display as wells as clean up, transport of the display, choreograph the display, fireworks equipment, fireworks crew, and liability insurance, he added.

“We share this lake as neighbors. It’s the jewel of the county and brings in a lot of tourism,” said County Legislator Lisa Vanstrom, R-West Ellicott.

The board set public hearings for special use permits. The first hearing is scheduled for March 27, at 6:35 p.m. for Josh Pike who is requesting a short-term rental at 36 Chautauqua Ave. The second hearing is scheduled for March 27 at 6:40 p.m. for Eric Lundquist, who is requesting a short-term rental at 6 W. Summit St.

The board also set a public hearing for April 10 at 6:35 p.m. for village’s tentative budget for the upcoming fiscal year that begins June 1, and ends May 31, 2024.