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The annual Fourth of July fireworks in Lakewood will see some changes in 2027 – including the possibility of using a barge to launch the fireworks.
The issue was originally raised during the board’s July 13 meeting, when Kurt Hallberg, Lakewood fire chief, said the fireworks show started a brush fire at the beach in Lakewood. During the board's July 27 meeting, Matthew Bentley, Lakewood-Busti police chief, said he, Mayor Randy Holcomb and Shaunah Pilling, deputy village clerk, had taken part in a virtual meeting with representatives from Zambelli Fireworks.
"We came to a conclusion that there needs to be a 300-foot radius minimum from where the fireworks are being lit," the board's July 27 minutes state. "This year's display was dangerous, especially at the end. The representative from Zambelli did have photos from that night that show a very good display of the issues that were there. We talked about adding additional signage and fencing to keep people back and to serve as a warning. The other suggestion from Zambelli and Chief Bentley was to look into a barge for setting them off."
Fireworks in Mayville each year are also set off from a barge with an area surrounding the dock and fireworks loading area taped off. Sheriff's Office navigation patrols are also in the area to keep boaters away from the barge and to keep boats from moving too quickly through the area.
"(Bentley) also stated it should be very easy to work with the Sheriff's Office navigation patrol to be able to help enforce the 300-foot radius in the water, which depending on the location we would not have to move the snow fence for the spectators," the minutes state.
Ben Troche, Village Board member, asked about law enforcement and the barge on the lake and whether or not Bentley still had jurisdiction to make arrests if he is stationed off-shore. Bentley said he is still a police officer and can take action on crimes that are happening on the water as well.
Bentley shared guidance sent by the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office with board members. There is a minimum age of 16 years old to ide an electric bike or electric scooter in New York. They can be ridden on roads with speed limits of 30 miles an hour or less, must be ridden in bike lanes where available and cannot be ridden on sidewalks unless there is a local law that specifically allows it. Helmets are required for e-scooter riders who are 16 or 17 and for certain Class 3 e-bike riders, though they are recommended for everyone, according to the Sheriff’s Office information. No license, registration or insurance is required.
Troche asked if there had been any accidents in Lakewood that involved e-bikes or e-scooters, with Bentley responding there was one on the Fourth of July where a person's foot was injured.
In other business, board members unanimously approved Bentley's permanent appointment as Lakewood-Busti police chief effective July 27.