Pictured is the main entrance to the Chautauqua Mall in Lakewood. P-J photo by Michael Zabrodsky

LAKEWOOD — The Lakewood Board of Trustees has unanimously approved a measure for the village’s portion of reimbursement to the Chautauqua Mall for property tax overpayment.

The village will pay a total of $58,187.28 with $29,064.64 due now and the remaining $29,064.64 due by Jan. 5, 2024.

The mall filed a lawsuit saying it paid too much in taxes to the village, the town of Busti, Chautauqua County and the Southwestern Central School District.

A court approved a reassessment for the years 2020, 2021, and 2022, and all four taxing jurisdictions will have to pay a portion of the reimbursement. The mall is located at 318 Fairmount Ave., Lakewood, but also is located within the SWCS district, the county, and the town of Busti.

Court records show that in 2020, the mall’s assessment was $9,260,000. That amount was reduced to $5,772,000.

In 2021, the assessment was $9,260,000, which was reduced to $5,592,000.

And in 2022, the assessment was $9,260,000; it was reduced to $4,965,000.

The lawsuit has taken several years to complete, Village Mayor Randy Holcomb said previously.

“Each taxing jurisdiction will have a refund for the three years, and that refund could be paid 50% now and 50% by 2024. It’s a completion of a long-time assessment lawsuit. It’s (the suit) good to come to a close,” Holcomb said.

The board also approved FSC Systems, LLC of Jamestown to install a security system at Richard O. Hartley Park. FSC, located at 33 Institute St., will install video surveillance cameras at the park as well as the beach house. The total coast is $12,554.80.

Recently, the board learned that the Lakewood Community Development Corp., the LCDC, community stakeholders, playground design experts, and village officials worked together to develop and approve designs for a dynamic, nature-inspired, Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant play space.

Vice President Ted McCague said the construction will be in two phases — fall and spring — with the phase one already begun.

Previously, McCague told the board that a lot of time and care was taken to choose the right playground apparatuses.

“It includes an impressive variety of different structures and play areas from swings, slides and tunnels to interactive play units, a zip line and much more. Every element was specifically chosen to give children of all ages and abilities a safe, welcoming place to build new skills, friendships, confidence, and creativity,” according to an LCDC brochure.

In December 2021, a $456,200 grant from the state was announced for the village to be used for Hartley Park. The grant allows the village to upgrade the playground equipment while also addressing outdated infrastructure, including the installation of rain gardens, shade trees, landscaping with erosion control measures and other improvements. The park is located at the end of Chautauqua Avenue in the village.

The grant was announced by Gov. Kathy Hochul as part of $196 million for 488 projects across the state, while the funding was awarded through the Regional Economic Development Council Initiative.

The LCDC said the completed playground will set the stage for future revitalization of Lakewood’s entire lakefront park, which will benefit Chautauqua Avenue shops, restaurants and businesses.

In other business, the board will hold a public hearing Jan. 9, 2023 at 6:45 p.m. to authorize the board to hold videoconferencing meetings. It also approved the mayor to form a sick bank committee for non-union village employees. The sick bank also will be added to the village’s personnel policies and procedures. The also passed a resolution to use time-off request forms for village employees. The forms will begin being used on Jan. 11, 2023. The board also approved fire chiefs for Lakewood Volunteer Fire Department for 2023. Kurt Hallber was named Fire Chief while Steve Smouse was named First Assistant Fire Chief and Tom Allen was named Second Assistant Fire Chief.

The board’s next meeting is at 6:30 p.m., Jan. 9, 2023.