Chautauqua Lake Pops P-J Photo by Gregory Bacon

MAYVILLE — The contract for the Chautauqua Lake Pops expires at the end of the month, with questions remaining if it will return.

During a recent meeting of the Mayville Village Board, Mayor Ken Shearer said he and Trustee Jim Warner talked to Dan Dalpra, founder and CEO of the Pops, and proposed a couple of different options, including delaying paying the $4,000 owed to the village.

“They had to get back to their board and then get back to us, which they have not done. I reached out to them this morning just to make sure to see if they had a chance to do that yet but I didn’t hear back,” Shearer said.

On the Chautauqua Lake Pops Facebook page, Dalpra wrote a letter of thanks to sponsors, supporters and volunteers. “At this early date, we are uncertain of our future plans moving forward. However, we know we can count on your continued support as we work to keep the Pops program afloat. We will keep you posted as our plans evolve, and are confident new and exciting opportunities will be forthcoming,” he said in the letter.

Last month, the village board held a special meeting to discuss the Pops. Dalpra brought the Pops to Mayville in 2019 after spending 18 years in Bemus Point. He had a three-year contract that expires at the end of 2021. The first and second year of the contract, Dalpra owed the village $1 and the third year he would pay around $4,000 depending on ticket sales.

Because there was no Pops season in 2020 due to the pandemic, he requested the 2021 season be considered the second year of the contract. While Shearer and Trustee Ben Webb appeared to be in favor of doing that, the rest of the board did not. Village attorney Joe Calimeri recommended the board form a committee to negotiate a new contract with the Pops.

While the Pops did not have a season in 2020, it was one of several organizations to receive funding from the federal government. According to the Small Business Administration’s website, Bemus Bay Pops Inc. (Chautauqua Lake Pops’ corporate name) received a $42,334 Shuttered Venue Operator Grant.

In 2021, four residents sued the Pops, saying the music was too loud. One of the plaintiffs was a member of the Mayville Planning Board. Eventually the lawsuit was settled when organizers changed the direction of the speakers and told boaters to use FM radios to hear the show.

At public board meetings, residents have complained that during the concerts the Pops would block off access to the public trails. Others had expressed concerns about access to the boat launch. Calimeri recommended last month bringing those issues to the committee, which has yet to be formed.