According to Mayor Randy Holcomb, Solitude Lake Management LLC of New York, applied the herbicide Aquathol k to control curlyeaf pondweed on May 25, near the Rod & Gun Club and the Lakewood Community Park on West Summit Street.

“They (Solitude representatives) have confirmed with us that it (spraying) is completed, and swimming is now safe,” Holcomb said.

Solitude Project Manager Glenn Sullivan said that other treatment areas can be found in portions of the town of Ellery, the Village of Bemus Point, and the town of Ellicott. Sullivan said on May 26 that the water was safe for swimming.

Holcomb said the village’s permit was $50,000.

Village of Lakewood Mayor Randy Holcomb stands near the boat launch at the Lakewood Community Park Recently Solitude Lake Management LLC applied the herbicide Aquathol k to control curlyeaf pondweed on May 25 on Chautauqua Lake near the park. P-J photo by Michael Zabrodsky

Recently the village board of trustees hired six lifeguards for the summer season to work on Lakewood Beach at Richard O. Hartley Park.

Supervisory lifeguard Madeline Dubois will make $16 per hour, while Evelyn Montagna, Caroline Apthorpe, Anthony Wren, Donavin Brown, and Peyton Range will make $14 per hour. The board also approved the purchase of a new dock for $14,545, and $2,500 for the installation and the delivery of the dock, from Metallic Ladder Operations, of Randolph. The board was deadlocked on the dock purchase with Holcomb breaking the tie in favor of purchasing the dock, but had one addition to the dock resolution.

“I could be in favor of this (purchase) if we add that the dock is sold if it is not used. I don’t want parked on the beach for five years. My resolution would be to approve the purchase of a new dock to be placed at the Lakewood Beach at Richard O. Hartley Park, and it would be sold if it is not used,” Holcomb previously told the board at its May 8 meeting.

Trustee Ellen Barnes noted May 8, that the beach belongs to village residents and the new playground at the park will serve as a magnet to attract swimmers to the beach. The board approved the opening date of the beach as June 29. The operating times are scheduled for Wednesdays through Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.