From left, Busti Town Board members Douglas Brown, James Andrews, Supervisor Jesse Robbins, Todd Hanson and Paul Gustafson meet at the Town Hall on Monday for a board meeting. P-J Photo by Christopher Blakeslee

LAKEWOOD – The New York Department of Environmental Conservation has approved the town of Busti’s continued application for a permit to use a herbicidal treatment for part of Chautauqua Lake.

This information was relayed by Town Supervisor Jesse Robbins Monday at the town’s board meeting.

“Our application for a permit to apply PorcellaCOR EC has been approved,” said Robbins.

According to sepro.com, PorecellaCor, is designed to control various submerged, floating and emerging weed species. It is effective against aquatic problem species such as Eurasian and Variable watermilfoil, hydrilla, alligator weed, parrot feather, water hyacinth, water primrose and pond weed. Also, according to upl-ltd.com, Aquathol K is a concentrated herbicide formulated to effectively eliminate a wide variety of submerged weeds. Aquathol K begins working on contact to inhibit protein synthesis while breaking down cellular structure or submerged weeds including hydrilla, and curly-leaf pondweed. Aquathol K dissipates quickly leaving no residue. The short residual contact time (12 – 48 hours) makes it effective in a variety of applications. Aquathol K will not bind to suspended sediment or organic matter making it ideal for use when high turbidity and organic debris is present.

The village board also approved Robbins to sign an updated Pesticide Discharge Management Plane for 2024.

In other news:

– Barbara Rey of Ashville spoke to the board, at length, regarding public usage of perceived “right of ways” around the canal and the various people fishing and utilizing the land along it. She reported that people continue to fish and utilize the land in the vicinity including cutting through privately owned property such as hers, located on Lakeside Drive in Ashville. This is despite homeowners placing no trespassing, keep out and other signage. However, Joel Seachrist, the town’s attorney stated, “There is no right of way usage in place.” Robbins then asked for the issue to be tabled for more research to be conducted regarding this issue.

– Greg Johnson, town highway superintendent, said the painting of the town-owned tennis and pickleball courts will be underway this week and should be ready for the season. Johnson was also approved to hire two additional part-time maintenance workers for the summer.