From left Lakewood Trustee John Shedd, Trustee Ben Troche, and Mayor Randy Holcomb discuss village business Monday. P-J photo by Michael Zabrodsky

LAKEWOOD – Village trustees Monday heard a proposal to update or revise the village’s alcohol policy at the Rock The Lake series.

The series, presented by the Lakewood Community Development Corp., consists of four free shows at Richard O. Hartley Park from 2 to 5 p.m. The first show was July 6, and the other shows are scheduled for July 27, Aug. 10, and Aug. 24.

Michelle Turner, of the LCDC, asked trustees if they were willing to consider allowing concertgoers to bring 16-inch coolers at the park or maybe have a beer tent where identification bands are needed to purchase and consume alcohol.

“But who doesn’t go to a concert and want a cold beer or a drink,” Turner said about the series. “I’m sure everybody knows that there are people there with a can of Coke and might have had a shot of rum in it. I mean, it just happens. The boaters have a beer on their boat(s).”

Turner also referenced how the City of Jamestown now will have a beer tent at its cruise-in event. She said Bemus Point, and Ellicottville hold similar events that have beer tents.

Trustee Ellen Barnes said in her experience when the village lifts the village’s open container law, there have been issues. Barnes added that if the village were to lift the law for a Sunday, more security would be needed.

Trustee Ben Troche said by the next show on July 27, it may be rushing the endeavor.

“I would like to see a well thought-out plan where all of our T’s are crossed,” Troche added.

The board took no action on the proposal and wants more information.

He said he would like the village’s public safety committee and members of the LCDC to meet and come up with a plan or goal going forward.

“A confined area, if it’s feasible,” Troche said.

Turner told the board that she is in favor of holding a next-step meeting with the LCDC and public safety committee to see what is needed for the event.

In June, trustees modified the alcohol policy which calls for the serving and consumption of alcohol on village grounds in a designated area during the specified time for the concerts for people 21 years old and over.

Barnes said in June that the LCDC planned the sponsor tent to give the sponsors of the series, who made the concerts possible, a front row seat, with the amenities of food and drink and to thank them for their sponsorship. Barnes added each sponsor is given a pass to enter the tent, and each sponsor is issued a certain number of guest-passes for the tent.

“Those concert attendees allowed into the tent and that are 21 years old or older will be able to consume alcohol. Alcohol use will be limited to the tent and the roped off area only. The tent and perimeter will be monitored. No alcohol will be allowed outside of the tent,” Barnes said at the June meeting.

In other business:

– Mayor Randy Holcomb gave an update on the Red Lobster building. In 2024 Red Lobster closed its Lakewood location, and Holcomb emailed the company to see if the restaurant would open again. He received an email from the company, stating that the restaurant will not reopen. He read the email to the board.

“We are sorry to share that the location you loved has closed. We would like to thank you for your loyalty over the years and look forward to serving you at a different location while there are no current plans to reopen the Lakewood location. Please feel free to visit any of our 544 restaurants that are open.”

– A public hearing for a short-term rental special use permit at 133 W. Summit St. will be held Aug. 11, at 6:45 p.m. at the village hall, located at 20 W. Summit St.

– A public hearing for an automotive repair facility special use permit at 12 W. Fairmount Ave. will be held Aug. 11, at 7 p.m. at the village hall.

The board canceled its July 28 meeting and will next meet Aug. 11.