Christopher DePonceau was permanently appointed Lakewood-Busti Police Chief. P-J photo by Michael Zabrodsky

LAKEWOOD – By a unanimous vote Monday, Village Trustees permanently appointed Christopher DePonceau as the Lakewood-Busti Police Chief.

DePonceau has served more than nine months on a provisional basis as chief.

“Congratulations to Chief DePonceau,” Deputy Mayor Ben Troche said. “We are looking forward to a long history with him in the future, and he has done a great job provisionally.”

DePonceau has been with the Lakewood-Busti Police Department since 2001. DePonceau said he was hired part-time as a patrolman in 2001, and was hired full-time in 2005. In 2013, he was promoted to sergeant, and in 2021 he was appointed provisional chief.

“I’m happy to be appointed permanent chief,” DePonceau said.

In a related matter, on Sept. 9, trustees also approved a measure to increase salaries six percent for officers within the police department.

Troche told other trustees that the village had two police officers – one full-time, and one part-time, recently resign their positions. Troche added that the village has had difficulty recruiting new officers based on a discrepancy in pay when compared to other police departments in the county and region. Trustees were concerned that more officers may have resigned if action was not taken.

Troche added that the current contract between the village and police union is set to expire in May 2025, and with the approval of the resolution, negotiations for a successor contract have begun. Also, trustees authorized an additional pay raise of three percent totalling nine percent over current salaries. The pay raises would have taken effect on the first pay period after the resolution was approved.

Mayor Randy Holcomb previously noted that the goal is to finish police union negotiations by May 2025.

Trustees also reminded residents that there will be a meeting Thursday with the New York State Department of Transportation. The DOT meeting is scheduled from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Busti Town Hall, 125 Chautauqua Ave., Lakewood.

DOT officials are expected to share information on whether or not a grant was approved for the proposed Route 394 (Fairmount Avenue) Sidewalk Extension Project.

At their Dec. 11, 2023 meeting trustees approved a resolution to support and seek grant funding for the proposed project.

On Dec. 14, 2023, there was a community outreach meeting that was to gauge the community’s support for new sidewalks connecting the western edge of Route 394 (Fairmount Avenue) in the town and village to the existing sidewalk on the northern and southern sides of Route 394.

At the community meeting, Paul Presutti, a consultant engineer with the Erdman Anthony firm along with state DOT Engineer Robert Schaller said the project will have two phases.

Phase 1, which is currently funded, will include asphalt pavement throughout the project from the bridge west of Ashville Road to McDaniel Avenue; reconfigure road striping within the current curb to curb width; minor traffic signal improvements; replace non-compliant curb ramps; and upgrade traffic signage. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2025.

Phase two, which is not currently funded, includes a new sidewalk 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 second phase also calls for short retaining walls along the new sidewalk to limit grading. Construction is anticipated for 2027.

The plan calls for the removal of 207 trees, 144 property rights of way adjustments, and utility pole relocations.

Trustees encourage residents to attend the Thursday meeting to voice their opinions, comments, or concerns on the project.