Forest Park Residents Express Annexation Concerns
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By John DeGroff-
Although it was made clear by Council President Paul Stoelting that no action on the matter would be taken during the meeting since it was a public hearing, the Forest Park residents who were in attendance voiced several concerns and asked many questions.
Forest Park is on the south part of Syracuse, and the subdivision comprises more than 20 properties, owned by 18 different families. The possibility of annexation of the area initially was brought before council by the residents themselves with a circulating petition started last October.[[In-content Ad]]The biggest issue is the cost of the water and sewer service that the town would provide to the residents should the annexation be approved. Under Indiana law, when a town annexes a housing subdivision or small unincorporated community, water and sewer services must be provided.
Syracuse Town Manager Henry DeJulia presented the residents with an outline for two different scenarios that could be used to fund the necessary improvements. These improvements include initial engineering, septic tank abandonment, water tank abandonment, and construction.
The first scenario would involve no up-front payment from residents, whereby a bond is used to pay for the necessary infrastructure improvements.
The second possibility would involve a payment of up to $3,000 per property, with a bond also being used for infrastructure costs.
Under both scenarios, the usual tap in fees, which are $1,000 each for both water and sewer, would be waived by the town. Water and sewer lines are only brought as far as the property itself by the city. It's the responsibility of the property owner to pay for both private water and private sewer connections to the residence.
"These are just a couple scenarios that have been provided to you," said DeJulia. "If you feel there is something that could be done a little differently, feel free to give me a call."
The major concern for Forest Park residents is not so much the cost, it's more the realization that annexation will enable them to receive essential services that will not only help increase property values, but will also contribute to a safer area to live in.
Some residents attending the meeting mentioned problems they have encountered with their septic tanks. Continual problems with septic could cause contamination of wells and eventually could leach into the lake.
It was also pointed out that Forest Park residents also would receive services such as fire and police protection, garbage pick up, and street maintenance.
Since this was a public hearing on the matter, with no immediate direct action planned to be taken, it was mutually decided by the council and the Forest Park residents present to allow them time to discuss the matter with everyone in the subdivision. It was further suggested that the group appoint either a spokesperson or a committee to come back before council to represent the final say of all.
DeJulia emphasized that although some cost figures had been presented to the residents, they were not the final numbers. He mentioned that he would try to have more accurate cost projections available for the residents by the end of the week.
By the next council meeting, both parties hope to hold another public hearing on the proposed annexation.
Ken Jones presented council with an update on the Syracuse North Project, the proposed industrial/business park in conjunction with Elkhart County. Jones has met with officials from the Elkhart County Redevelopment Commission and they have proposed a slight change in the plan.
"The basic project stays exactly the same," Jones said. "The Redevelopment Commission has asked that we remove the one incentive that allows the developer to recoup development costs internal to the business site. What we're talking about here is not anything off-site. That's a typical model for Elkhart County. If the market dictates we have more incentives for that basic plan, then they will consider that.
"Syracuse will take the lead on this project. Elkhart County's role will be to collect taxes and pay for the cost of the project. The timeline of the project could move quickly after this. I'll be going to the commission next week. Hopefully, by the time we get together next month, we'll have an agreement."
Town Marshal Tony Ciriello reported to council that the police car involved in an accident last month has been totaled by the insurance company. The vehicle in question was the oldest of the department's fleet, a 1998 Ford Crown Victoria. Ciriello was given approval to replace the vehicle with a 2007 Ford Crown Victoria from R&B Sales in Pierceton. Cost for the vehicle, including installation of necessary police equipment, is $21,600.
In order to fund the purchase, council passed Ordinance 07-05, an emergency measure to use available funds already in the police budget.
In other police business, Ciriello announced that the July 4 fireworks are scheduled for 9:45 p.m. Long Drive will be closed from Washington to North Shore for the event.
The Syracuse Police Department also is accepting applications for 20 openings to the Citizen's Police Academy. Deadline for applications is August 1, and participants must be at least 18 years of age.
In other business:
n Payment of claims for June 2007 for $497,854.14 was approved.
n Council passed Ordinance 07-04, "An Ordinance Authorizing the Temporary Transfer of Funds." This transferred $30,000 in CCI-Property Tax money to the park fund.
n Council approved membership in Kosciusko Development Inc. for a fee of $1500.
n The rail road crossing at Ind. 13 will be closed for repairs until June 30.
Syracuse Town Council members are: Paul Stoelting, Brian Woody, Larry Siegel, William Mosser, and Cassandra Cowan.
Although it was made clear by Council President Paul Stoelting that no action on the matter would be taken during the meeting since it was a public hearing, the Forest Park residents who were in attendance voiced several concerns and asked many questions.
Forest Park is on the south part of Syracuse, and the subdivision comprises more than 20 properties, owned by 18 different families. The possibility of annexation of the area initially was brought before council by the residents themselves with a circulating petition started last October.[[In-content Ad]]The biggest issue is the cost of the water and sewer service that the town would provide to the residents should the annexation be approved. Under Indiana law, when a town annexes a housing subdivision or small unincorporated community, water and sewer services must be provided.
Syracuse Town Manager Henry DeJulia presented the residents with an outline for two different scenarios that could be used to fund the necessary improvements. These improvements include initial engineering, septic tank abandonment, water tank abandonment, and construction.
The first scenario would involve no up-front payment from residents, whereby a bond is used to pay for the necessary infrastructure improvements.
The second possibility would involve a payment of up to $3,000 per property, with a bond also being used for infrastructure costs.
Under both scenarios, the usual tap in fees, which are $1,000 each for both water and sewer, would be waived by the town. Water and sewer lines are only brought as far as the property itself by the city. It's the responsibility of the property owner to pay for both private water and private sewer connections to the residence.
"These are just a couple scenarios that have been provided to you," said DeJulia. "If you feel there is something that could be done a little differently, feel free to give me a call."
The major concern for Forest Park residents is not so much the cost, it's more the realization that annexation will enable them to receive essential services that will not only help increase property values, but will also contribute to a safer area to live in.
Some residents attending the meeting mentioned problems they have encountered with their septic tanks. Continual problems with septic could cause contamination of wells and eventually could leach into the lake.
It was also pointed out that Forest Park residents also would receive services such as fire and police protection, garbage pick up, and street maintenance.
Since this was a public hearing on the matter, with no immediate direct action planned to be taken, it was mutually decided by the council and the Forest Park residents present to allow them time to discuss the matter with everyone in the subdivision. It was further suggested that the group appoint either a spokesperson or a committee to come back before council to represent the final say of all.
DeJulia emphasized that although some cost figures had been presented to the residents, they were not the final numbers. He mentioned that he would try to have more accurate cost projections available for the residents by the end of the week.
By the next council meeting, both parties hope to hold another public hearing on the proposed annexation.
Ken Jones presented council with an update on the Syracuse North Project, the proposed industrial/business park in conjunction with Elkhart County. Jones has met with officials from the Elkhart County Redevelopment Commission and they have proposed a slight change in the plan.
"The basic project stays exactly the same," Jones said. "The Redevelopment Commission has asked that we remove the one incentive that allows the developer to recoup development costs internal to the business site. What we're talking about here is not anything off-site. That's a typical model for Elkhart County. If the market dictates we have more incentives for that basic plan, then they will consider that.
"Syracuse will take the lead on this project. Elkhart County's role will be to collect taxes and pay for the cost of the project. The timeline of the project could move quickly after this. I'll be going to the commission next week. Hopefully, by the time we get together next month, we'll have an agreement."
Town Marshal Tony Ciriello reported to council that the police car involved in an accident last month has been totaled by the insurance company. The vehicle in question was the oldest of the department's fleet, a 1998 Ford Crown Victoria. Ciriello was given approval to replace the vehicle with a 2007 Ford Crown Victoria from R&B Sales in Pierceton. Cost for the vehicle, including installation of necessary police equipment, is $21,600.
In order to fund the purchase, council passed Ordinance 07-05, an emergency measure to use available funds already in the police budget.
In other police business, Ciriello announced that the July 4 fireworks are scheduled for 9:45 p.m. Long Drive will be closed from Washington to North Shore for the event.
The Syracuse Police Department also is accepting applications for 20 openings to the Citizen's Police Academy. Deadline for applications is August 1, and participants must be at least 18 years of age.
In other business:
n Payment of claims for June 2007 for $497,854.14 was approved.
n Council passed Ordinance 07-04, "An Ordinance Authorizing the Temporary Transfer of Funds." This transferred $30,000 in CCI-Property Tax money to the park fund.
n Council approved membership in Kosciusko Development Inc. for a fee of $1500.
n The rail road crossing at Ind. 13 will be closed for repairs until June 30.
Syracuse Town Council members are: Paul Stoelting, Brian Woody, Larry Siegel, William Mosser, and Cassandra Cowan.
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