SYRACUSE - For some time, Syracuse Animal Control Officer Dee Cotterman has wanted to start a spay and neuter program in Syracuse.

Tuesday, Syracuse Town Marshal Tom Perzanowski announced at the town council meeting that Cotterman's dream will become a reality with a $10,000 donation the town received from the Mary Kuhns Foundation for the program.

Cotterman told the council she has one veterinarian willing to work with this program now. She is trying to get a second veterinarian so people will have a choice.

Up to 100 percent of the costs to spay and neuter a dog or cat can be paid, depending on the pet owner's need.

"We have a lot of older people in this community who have pets who just can't afford this," Cotterman said. There are "lots of people on Social Security who don't have the extra money" to spay or neuter their pets. "The need is in this community for spaying and neutering."

The money for the program is set aside in its own fund and can be used only for spaying and neutering of pets.

In other business, the town council:

• Heard the fire lane at Syracuse Elementary School is established and will be enforced.

• Heard a new roof on the garage where the police department stores records is on. Members of the department donated their time and labor to put the roof on.

• Approved Public Works Superintendent Clint Houseworth's request to replace the steel drive lift station, off County Line Road, for a cost not to exceed $6,500 from Dodzik Engineering Inc.

• Approved Fort Wayne Roofing to repair the wastewater treatment plant roof for a quoted base price of $9,700.

• Approved Airmarking Co. Inc. to make the traffic control pavement markings on Harkless and Pickwick roads using thermoplastic for a cost not to exceed $4,500.

• Approved Houseworth's request to spend $6,925 for a New Holland model 145 spreader from Kerlin Tractor Sales Inc.

• Heard that brush collection ends Oct. 31. Brush collection will resume weekly next spring. [[In-content Ad]]