MAYVILLE – The Chautauqua County Legislature Wednesday night approved a resolution to provide up to $25,000 in money from the county’s 2 percent occupancy tax fund for the cleanup of weeds in Chautauqua Lake’s Burtis Bay.
According to the Post-Journal, the resolution – which was originally introduced last month but then tabled – was amended so that “Up To” $25,000 would be made available, rather than the set amount of $25,000. The change was due to the weed removal now expected to take place in the Spring rather than this year due to the onset of winter weather. Because equipment used to remove weeds won’t have to be winterized, legislators feel the cost may be less than the $25,000 that was first proposed in early November.
In addition to public money from the county, the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation and Ralph C. Sheldon Foundation have also agreed to help pay for the cost of the cleanup.
The situation was first reported in early November by a local resident to the Chautauqua Lake and Watershed Management Alliance Board of Directors – who then inspected the area with other county officials along with representatives of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Also during Monday’s meeting, the legislature approved a resolution authorizing use of the same 2 percent occupancy tax fund to retain outside professional services to assist with developing a Chautauqua Lake weed management consensus strategy.
And Chautauqua County Sheriff Joe Gerace was recognized for his 24 years as head of the sheriff’s office. Gerace was defeated in the November Election by James Quattrone, who will take over as sheriff starting in January.
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