Ethanol Plant Opponents Voice Concerns At Syracuse Meeting
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
SYRACUSE - Several area residents expressed concern regarding the issue of the proposed ethanol plant near Milford during Tuesday's Syracuse Town Council meeting.
Residents from both Syracuse and Milford were given time at the start of the meeting to voice their concerns.Ê
"The ethanol plant can pose some problems," said Bruce Grendell of Syracuse. "Water drawdown, since they use a tremendous amount of water, and truck traffic."Ê
Milford residents who were at the meeting presented the Syracuse council with additional information ranging from the impact on both residential and commercial property values; the effect on summer tourism; emissions from the plant, and overall safety concerns for the entire area.
At one point, council President Brian Woody told those in attendance that the problem "...is a Milford issue, not a Syracuse issue. This is not in our town limits. This is a county issue."
"You can voice your opinions to the county," said Kenneth Long of Milford. "Our town board is going to. In as much as it affects this area, it will effect your community just as it does ours."
Long went on to present council with a map showing the proposed site and where it is in relation to Syracuse. It was also brought before the council that the plant will cause an increase in train traffic as well as semi-truck traffic going through town on Ind. 13. According to figures from VeraSun Energy, the company proposing the site, an estimated 800 trucks per week could become part of local traffic.
Although council could not act on any specific issue regarding the proposed ethanol plant, it did agree to look at more information.
In financial matters, council approved the payment of claims for September 2006 in the amount of $1,028,934.28.
On second reading, the 2007 budget for Syracuse was presented. It included $2,000,595 in the general, with funds to be raised (from property tax source) of $780,000.
• Street-MVH - $582,183 with funds to be raised of $420,000
• Park - $322,830 with funds to be raised of $287,176
• EMS - $263,370 with funds to be raised of $8,000
• Fire - $105,000 with funds to be raised of $18,000
• Cumulative park - $18,000 with funds to be raised of $18,000
• CCI property tax - $0 with funds to be raised of $24,000
• Storm sewer - $205,000 with funds to be raised of $40,000
• Law Enforcement Conference Education - $5000 with funds to be raised of $0
• Capital Development - $78,000 with funds to be raised of $56,000
• Local road and street - $50,000 with funds to be raised of $0
• Riverboat Revenue Sharing $19,000 - with funds to be raised of $0
The 2007 budget was approved by council.
Syracuse Town Marshal Tony Ciriello presented council with the department activity report for August 2006. In town, there were 454 calls for service, with four out of town. These included 29 arrests made and a total of 135 traffic tickets issued.
Ciriello also told council about an opportunity that has been presented to the department recently. The Kosciusko County Drug Task Force will purchase three vehicles to be used for drug interdiction and DUI enforcement. The county sheriff's department, Warsaw Police Department, and Syracuse Police Department each will receive a vehicle for use in this program. The cars will be paid for with funds seized during drug-related arrests. Local departments will be responsible for equipment such as radios and video equipment. Ciriello was granted approval to accept this donation.
The Syracuse Fire Department reported a total of 26 fire-related calls for August, with 89 EMS runs during the month. It was also reported by the department that although engine No. 2 has been in for repairs, both local fire stations have adequate coverage.
The Syracuse Pubic Works Department presented council with an update on the water distribution project. A change order in the amount of $52,700 (up from $39,000) has been added to the overall cost of the project. This increase is to cover the cost of a monitor system for storage tanks, wells, and filters. This system can be added onto when needed for both water and wastewater, and can cut back on labor. Council approved the change order.
The water department also will be installing a natural gas generator at the high volume lift station. This generator prevents raw wastewater from flowing out of the wet-wells in case of a power failure. Cost is $18,500.
Site work and infrastructure at the JA Development project, Kerns Crossing, is completed. Payments totaling $37,054.82 for construction were approved.
Work on Main Street side walks is finished, with the exception of the walking bridge. Residential work on Harrison will start soon.
In other business:
• Wawasee High School Homecoming is Sept. 29. Homecoming parade lineup at the Community Center is set for 5:15 p.m., with the parade set to start at 5:45 p.m. The route has been changed to Huntington Street, to Boston, to Main Street, back to the school.
• There will be an arts festival on Sept. 30 in downtown Syracuse, scheduled from 2 to 8 p.m.
• Trick-or-Treat is Oct. 31st, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Syracuse Town Council members are Brian Woody, president; Larry Siegel; Bill Musser; Cassie Cowan; and Paul Stoelting. [[In-content Ad]]
SYRACUSE - Several area residents expressed concern regarding the issue of the proposed ethanol plant near Milford during Tuesday's Syracuse Town Council meeting.
Residents from both Syracuse and Milford were given time at the start of the meeting to voice their concerns.Ê
"The ethanol plant can pose some problems," said Bruce Grendell of Syracuse. "Water drawdown, since they use a tremendous amount of water, and truck traffic."Ê
Milford residents who were at the meeting presented the Syracuse council with additional information ranging from the impact on both residential and commercial property values; the effect on summer tourism; emissions from the plant, and overall safety concerns for the entire area.
At one point, council President Brian Woody told those in attendance that the problem "...is a Milford issue, not a Syracuse issue. This is not in our town limits. This is a county issue."
"You can voice your opinions to the county," said Kenneth Long of Milford. "Our town board is going to. In as much as it affects this area, it will effect your community just as it does ours."
Long went on to present council with a map showing the proposed site and where it is in relation to Syracuse. It was also brought before the council that the plant will cause an increase in train traffic as well as semi-truck traffic going through town on Ind. 13. According to figures from VeraSun Energy, the company proposing the site, an estimated 800 trucks per week could become part of local traffic.
Although council could not act on any specific issue regarding the proposed ethanol plant, it did agree to look at more information.
In financial matters, council approved the payment of claims for September 2006 in the amount of $1,028,934.28.
On second reading, the 2007 budget for Syracuse was presented. It included $2,000,595 in the general, with funds to be raised (from property tax source) of $780,000.
• Street-MVH - $582,183 with funds to be raised of $420,000
• Park - $322,830 with funds to be raised of $287,176
• EMS - $263,370 with funds to be raised of $8,000
• Fire - $105,000 with funds to be raised of $18,000
• Cumulative park - $18,000 with funds to be raised of $18,000
• CCI property tax - $0 with funds to be raised of $24,000
• Storm sewer - $205,000 with funds to be raised of $40,000
• Law Enforcement Conference Education - $5000 with funds to be raised of $0
• Capital Development - $78,000 with funds to be raised of $56,000
• Local road and street - $50,000 with funds to be raised of $0
• Riverboat Revenue Sharing $19,000 - with funds to be raised of $0
The 2007 budget was approved by council.
Syracuse Town Marshal Tony Ciriello presented council with the department activity report for August 2006. In town, there were 454 calls for service, with four out of town. These included 29 arrests made and a total of 135 traffic tickets issued.
Ciriello also told council about an opportunity that has been presented to the department recently. The Kosciusko County Drug Task Force will purchase three vehicles to be used for drug interdiction and DUI enforcement. The county sheriff's department, Warsaw Police Department, and Syracuse Police Department each will receive a vehicle for use in this program. The cars will be paid for with funds seized during drug-related arrests. Local departments will be responsible for equipment such as radios and video equipment. Ciriello was granted approval to accept this donation.
The Syracuse Fire Department reported a total of 26 fire-related calls for August, with 89 EMS runs during the month. It was also reported by the department that although engine No. 2 has been in for repairs, both local fire stations have adequate coverage.
The Syracuse Pubic Works Department presented council with an update on the water distribution project. A change order in the amount of $52,700 (up from $39,000) has been added to the overall cost of the project. This increase is to cover the cost of a monitor system for storage tanks, wells, and filters. This system can be added onto when needed for both water and wastewater, and can cut back on labor. Council approved the change order.
The water department also will be installing a natural gas generator at the high volume lift station. This generator prevents raw wastewater from flowing out of the wet-wells in case of a power failure. Cost is $18,500.
Site work and infrastructure at the JA Development project, Kerns Crossing, is completed. Payments totaling $37,054.82 for construction were approved.
Work on Main Street side walks is finished, with the exception of the walking bridge. Residential work on Harrison will start soon.
In other business:
• Wawasee High School Homecoming is Sept. 29. Homecoming parade lineup at the Community Center is set for 5:15 p.m., with the parade set to start at 5:45 p.m. The route has been changed to Huntington Street, to Boston, to Main Street, back to the school.
• There will be an arts festival on Sept. 30 in downtown Syracuse, scheduled from 2 to 8 p.m.
• Trick-or-Treat is Oct. 31st, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Syracuse Town Council members are Brian Woody, president; Larry Siegel; Bill Musser; Cassie Cowan; and Paul Stoelting. [[In-content Ad]]