Village residents again brought up the question of who ordered water tests the Chautauqua Lake Association performed in June. The trustees sifted through rumors as to what the mayor’s plans are going forward. P-J photo by Eric Zavinski

LAKEWOOD — Trustees tried to answer questions village residents had regarding Mayor Cara Birritieri’s future plans as she was absent following the last board meeting in which she called accusations she ordered water tests “absurd.”

Several residents asked what Birritieri plans to do in the future in regard to her position. Amid rumors within the village, all the trustees said what they knew about the mayor’s situation is that she was currently out of town for personal reasons.

Residents’ last memories of Birritieri were her demanding an apology from trustees Ellen Barnes and Randall Holcomb, who had filed a letter with the village clerk regarding lake water tests. Tests were ordered in June by an unknown party, and the village voted last meeting to approve the audit of claims and pay the Chautauqua Lake Association for their service.

In response to questions from residents, trustee Douglas Schutte said that the CLA deserves to be paid for the service the organization performed for the village, regardless of who ordered the tests. Schutte also stated he voted in favor of paying the bill because he thought the board had been unanimous.

Barnes and Holcomb clarified that they changed their minds due to further advice and after having learned Birritieri did not order the tests to be performed, something Barnes said she was confident was true after being told that was the case by CLA Executive Director Douglas Conroe.

“The whole water test thing is the craziest thing I’ve ever heard of,” said Jesse Robbins, Busti town supervisor, who attended the meeting.

Robbins expressed concern about how to get in touch with Birritieri regarding town and village business if she is needed and added that he has already found it difficult to get in contact with her while she is in Lakewood. Another resident called on Deputy Mayor Ted McCague to write a letter to Birritieri and ask what her intentions are. McCague said he would do so.

“It seems wrong that there are so many people left in the dark,” Robbins said.

With Birritieri having missed multiple meetings this summer, some residents asked how many she needs to miss before she is removed. Barnes noted that the threshold for such an action is high and that she must be paid even if she is not present.

Having heard the same rumors and received numerous calls asking what Birritieri intends to do, McCague expressed his concern as well.

“I don’t think she wants to shun her obligation to the village,” McCague said.

Residents’ frustrations were not only directed at the absent mayor, but at the entire board as well. After resident Jonna Genco shared she does not feel the village’s concerns are listened to, McCague said that was not the case.

“It just doesn’t make sense,” Genco said.

She referred to the bill for the water tests, which was said by the board to have been addressed to the mayor. She noted the precedent that is set by paying for a bill when no one knows who ordered the service the bill outlines.

“We are trying to figure out the truth,” McCague said.

One resident suggested that the board should apologize to the CLA since it is getting questioned by those who want to know who ordered the tests. After asking each trustee individually, the resident revealed that none of the them knew about the testing before the bill was received July 23.

The question of why the bill was paid wasn’t answered at that time.

In other village news, Building Inspector Jeffrey Swanson said that development of the approved Metro Mattress store may not be happening after all. He said he has tried to get in contact with the developers and has heard nothing back. The store was initially intended to be built and open in time for Black Friday.

A village resident also came to the board with frustrations that a neighboring property is not fixing violations. She referenced a tree from that property having fallen on her garage and an unkept lawn. Swanson mentioned he would issue appearance tickets for the residents in violation. Swanson said he has been too busy to address the resident’s concerns, which sparked a discussion about the possibility of hiring someone who would specifically handle zoning code violations on a part-time basis. Swanson said the recently hired fire code inspector in Busti should help alleviate how much he has to handle. McCague said the resident has done everything she can do and requested further patience.

The appointment of Jerry Holmes as the newest regular member of the Zoning Board of Appeals was approved. He will replace Deputy Chairperson Myra Blasius, who recently resigned at the last zoning board meeting.

Acting as the Board of Fire Commissioners, the trustees also approved Benjamin Troche and Alex Card as the newest members of the Lakewood Volunteer Fire Department.

Due to the upcoming Columbus Day holiday, the next trustees meeting will take place Tuesday, Oct. 9, at 6:30 p.m.