From left to right, Busti Town Board Members Doug Brown, Jim Andrews, Town Supervisor Jessie Robbins, Todd Hanson, Paul Gustafson and Town Attorney Joel Seachrist conduct town business. PJ photo: Christopher Blakeslee

BUSTI – No fishing allowed signs will soon be posted around bridges near Vukote Canal and Drainage District.

The Busti Town Board on Monday unanimously passed Local Law 8 of 2024 titled Fisheries in the Vukote Drainage Zone.

A point of contention has arisen for homeowners in the drainage area around the perceived idea of ​​rights-of-way or easements across an area known as the Booty.

According to Busti City Code Chapter 392-11, when the Vukote Allotment was first established in the 1920s, the developer retained title to the property lying between the Vukote Canal and designated building lots, commonly referred to as the Loot Area on allotment plans. The purpose of the Booty Field was to provide access to the canal for maintenance, including dredging. Ownership of the Loot Field remained with the developer’s heirs until 1998, when it was purchased by the Town of Busti on behalf of the Vukote Canal Drainage District to facilitate a dredging project.

Property owners have condemned people using their private property to fish in the canal and along the shore, citing easement and right-of-way issues as the main culprits.

As reported in an Oct. 10 Post-Journal article, Barbra Ray wrote to the town board: “My husband and I purchased a cottage on Vukote Road in 1989. We moved here full time in 2007 and purchased property. The term right-of-way was never explained to us. “Strangers not from this community camp and fish before daylight and after sunset.”

Ray also presented photos of people fishing, leaving trash, smoking and playing loud music along the canal.

Town Board members approved signs and local ordinances to support homeowner rights and empower law enforcement. No fishing signs will be placed on bridges near or over Vukote Road, and no fishing and no trespassing signs will be posted throughout the trophy area.

“This will allow our police department to issue tickets to those violating fishing from bridges,” said Jessie M. Robbins, town supervisor. “I assume trespassing tickets will be issued to those fishing from the canal.”

Lakewood/Busti Police Chief Christopher A. DePonceau said his department will begin issuing tickets.

According to Town Attorney Joel Seachrist, the town’s attorney, Local Law Eight, will read in part:

ARTICLE IV. Fishing and Trespassing, 392-16. Posting No Fishing / No Trespassing Signs. The Superintendent of Highways shall be authorized to post signs on any bridge within the Vukote Drainage District and on any land within the Trophy Area, as defined in Section 392-12, prohibiting fishing from bridges or trespassing on the Trophy Area generally. The Director shall post and maintain such signs as necessary and at his discretion.

392-17. Restricted Areas. It will be unlawful for any person to:

A. Fishing by any means from any bridge within the Vukote Drainage District where a sign prohibiting such behavior is posted.

B. Entering or using land in the Trophy Area without the permission of the adjacent landowner where a sign prohibiting such behavior is posted. Prohibited activities include, but are not limited to, walking, hiking, fishing, and wandering. § 392-18.

Residents are exempt from using their own property, and offenders can be fined between $30 and $50 for each violation.