Before the last regular village board meeting, officials discussed Lakeside Park during its workshop.

In 2023, it was announced that the village was awarded a $650,000 grant for improving the landing plaza near the Chautauqua Belle, installing a handicapped-accessible kayak launch, and installing a waterfront pedestrian and bicycle trail. The grant would cover 75% of the costs and the village was responsible for the remaining 25%.

Mayville hired Barton & Loguidice to do the master planning and design.

Rock of WNY, which is based in Westfield, was hired to do the paving.

Mayville trustees are unhappy with the work done so far for the new parking lot that is to be used by patrons of the Chautauqua Belle.

More grant funds are being sought for the kayak launch.

During the April meeting, there were three change orders by Rock of WNY. One was for $26,606, a second was for $14,197, and a third was for $47,869.

Mayor Rick Syper said when they were digging in front of the Chautauqua Belle for the landing area, they encountered ash. “That isn’t very good material to park cars on,” he said.

Rock of WNY also encountered about 20 railroad ties which needed to be taken out.

Finally, additional excavation was needed, and more than 60 tons of material had to be brought in, otherwise the parking lot would have “fallen apart” once it was paved.

Syper said Rock of WNY has done a poor job of submitting proper paperwork, which is why the change orders hadn’t come until this month.

Trustee Bill Ward asked about the paved trails, which he noted has gravel on each side.

Syper said the gravel was put in for the winter and will be removed and replaced with topsoil.

Ward also noted that one trail seems to end randomly.

Syper said the trail will be connected and improved.

Trustee Mark Perry questioned if the problems that Rock of WNY ran into should have been known ahead of time. “We knew it was a railroad, we knew that it was nothing but a mud bog for centuries. We knew that it brought fill of all type there. What did they expect when they opened it up?” he asked.

Perry also said the work done so far “looks like hell” and questioned if Rock of WNY should continue the work. “We’ve got to go ask these taxpayers that are already stretched, like we all are, for something that I do not think is their fault,” he said.

Ward agreed.

“It’s substandard work and now we’re talking about paying the same person who did the substandard work almost another $100,000,” he said.

Syper replied by saying, “Remember, the project isn’t done. You’re seeing a half-completed job and when any job is just sitting there for months, it doesn’t look good,” he said.

Syper said that could stop the project in its tracks.

Perry responded, “I don’t think you settle for improper work.”

When the time came to vote on the change orders, Perry and Ward voted no, while Syper and Trustee Janelle Webb voted yes. Trustee Daniel Roush was not in attendance.

After the vote failed, Syper called for an emergency meeting two days later, where the board discussed the project with Barton & Loguidice attending virtually.

At that meeting Roush was in attendance, but Ward was not.

During the meeting, the Barton & Loguidice representative said the change orders were justified and needed to be done immediately. He said if the village doesn’t pay them he thinks the village could face a lawsuit.

He noted that the documentation has been slow and incorrect, which is why the change orders took so long.

Syper said going forward, the village is going to have its Department of Public Works director be at the worksite to make sure the work gets done properly.

Syper also said the village may fine Rock of WNY if they don’t get the project done by June 30.

The board voted again on the change orders. Syper, Webb and Roush voted in favor of all three change orders. Perry voted no for two of the three change orders.

After the meeting he said he voted in favor of one of the change orders “as a negotiation towards fairness.”

He continued to express concern that the Lakeside Park work isn’t being managed properly and opposes having village residents pay more.