Syracuse Accepts Easement for Sewer Under Private Land
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Kathy [email protected]
Town Manager Henry DeJulia explained that the Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission granted petitioner Patrick Industries vacation of lots and alleyways in an area along Ind. 13 from Pittsburg Street to the north and Baltimore Street to the south. This would allow the company to construct a warehouse of approximately 50,000 square feet. However, the sewer line runs about eight feet under the potential building site.
The ordinance, which was unanimously adopted, gives the town the ability to access that line if a problem ever arises. Utilities consultant Clint Houseworth advised fixes for a problem sewer line would not require tearing up a floor for access.
He said they could go in sideways or run a new sewer line in a different location. However, “There is nothing wrong with it now. It’s in good condition,” he said. The line feeds a lift station at Penguin Point.
Controversy arose at the end of the meeting when Larry Coplen, who sits on the county planning commission, informed council that Patrick Industries was granted the vacations subject to written approval by the town of Syracuse. Stating that he was at the meeting as a member of the plan commission, Coplen asked, “I’m curious. Are you going to kick the can down the road? Typically, a developer puts in the utilities.”
Coplen said he was concerned that the town was accepting too much responsibility, as future developers could delegate to the town what should be their responsibilities regarding utilities.
“Who pays for a new sewer line or repairs?” he asked “The taxpayer. I’m saying it should be the responsibility of the developer.”
“All you’re doing is complicating an issue,” Coplen also said. “But you’re not concerned, so I’m not.”
Houseworth explained that this is “not a typical situation” as the line already exists under private property. Council member Larry Siegel said there was a lot of research conducted and “We have our consultant from Severn Trent,” referring to Houseworth.
Siegel also asked how the council was supposed to know what happened at the planning commission meeting. Coplen answered, “You have a town manager to inform you. He was there. You have minutes.”
Siegel asked why Coplen waited until the end of the meeting to speak up, since one of the first agenda items is discussion from the floor on agenda topics.
Coplen responded, “I don’t usually attend town council meetings.”
Siegel said, “I don’t usually read minutes.”
Coplen did defend DeJulia, saying, “I’ll say this in defense of Henry – they (Patrick Industries) didn’t even have a legal description of what they wanted to develop.” He said there was a lot of confusion, hence the conditional approval.
The parties agreed to talk more going forward.
Regarding another business in town, council conducted a public hearing on Polywood’s request for a tax abatement. Attorney Stephen Snyder represented the company, reminding council members that they had approved the declaratory resolution at April’s meeting and now he was asking for a conformatory resolution. George Robertson, president of the Kosciusko County Economic Development Corp., spoke in favor of the abatement.
“We celebrate entrepreneurship in our county, and this company is a good example of that,” Robertson said. “It’s a great asset for the town and the county.”
The request was unanimously approved.
In other business, council:
• Heard concerns from resident Sharon Fowler, who asked a few questions including how much money was in the building fund and if the police department would be replacing cars this year. She brought up a previous request for a tree fund, which would help residents remove problem trees on their property, and she said she thought some people should resign from the board.
• Discussed problem properties and procedures for their removal. DeJulia said that the best way to condemn property was through the county health department.
• Agreed that the fire territory board should paint Station #1 so the old portion matches the new.
• Approved the purchase of computers for the EMS, along with the accompanying technology for sending information to hospitals, for $14,588, which will come from the fire accumulative fund.
• Gave Police Chief Tony Ciriello the OK to purchase new portable radios for $3,878.40, the amount of a Homeland Security grant.
• Was notified that Ind. 13 from the railroad tracks to Main Street would be closed for about a half hour for the Memorial Day Parade, starting at 1:30 p.m. Monday.
• Was informed that the Front Street bridge would be open for Memorial Day weekend.[[In-content Ad]]
Town Manager Henry DeJulia explained that the Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission granted petitioner Patrick Industries vacation of lots and alleyways in an area along Ind. 13 from Pittsburg Street to the north and Baltimore Street to the south. This would allow the company to construct a warehouse of approximately 50,000 square feet. However, the sewer line runs about eight feet under the potential building site.
The ordinance, which was unanimously adopted, gives the town the ability to access that line if a problem ever arises. Utilities consultant Clint Houseworth advised fixes for a problem sewer line would not require tearing up a floor for access.
He said they could go in sideways or run a new sewer line in a different location. However, “There is nothing wrong with it now. It’s in good condition,” he said. The line feeds a lift station at Penguin Point.
Controversy arose at the end of the meeting when Larry Coplen, who sits on the county planning commission, informed council that Patrick Industries was granted the vacations subject to written approval by the town of Syracuse. Stating that he was at the meeting as a member of the plan commission, Coplen asked, “I’m curious. Are you going to kick the can down the road? Typically, a developer puts in the utilities.”
Coplen said he was concerned that the town was accepting too much responsibility, as future developers could delegate to the town what should be their responsibilities regarding utilities.
“Who pays for a new sewer line or repairs?” he asked “The taxpayer. I’m saying it should be the responsibility of the developer.”
“All you’re doing is complicating an issue,” Coplen also said. “But you’re not concerned, so I’m not.”
Houseworth explained that this is “not a typical situation” as the line already exists under private property. Council member Larry Siegel said there was a lot of research conducted and “We have our consultant from Severn Trent,” referring to Houseworth.
Siegel also asked how the council was supposed to know what happened at the planning commission meeting. Coplen answered, “You have a town manager to inform you. He was there. You have minutes.”
Siegel asked why Coplen waited until the end of the meeting to speak up, since one of the first agenda items is discussion from the floor on agenda topics.
Coplen responded, “I don’t usually attend town council meetings.”
Siegel said, “I don’t usually read minutes.”
Coplen did defend DeJulia, saying, “I’ll say this in defense of Henry – they (Patrick Industries) didn’t even have a legal description of what they wanted to develop.” He said there was a lot of confusion, hence the conditional approval.
The parties agreed to talk more going forward.
Regarding another business in town, council conducted a public hearing on Polywood’s request for a tax abatement. Attorney Stephen Snyder represented the company, reminding council members that they had approved the declaratory resolution at April’s meeting and now he was asking for a conformatory resolution. George Robertson, president of the Kosciusko County Economic Development Corp., spoke in favor of the abatement.
“We celebrate entrepreneurship in our county, and this company is a good example of that,” Robertson said. “It’s a great asset for the town and the county.”
The request was unanimously approved.
In other business, council:
• Heard concerns from resident Sharon Fowler, who asked a few questions including how much money was in the building fund and if the police department would be replacing cars this year. She brought up a previous request for a tree fund, which would help residents remove problem trees on their property, and she said she thought some people should resign from the board.
• Discussed problem properties and procedures for their removal. DeJulia said that the best way to condemn property was through the county health department.
• Agreed that the fire territory board should paint Station #1 so the old portion matches the new.
• Approved the purchase of computers for the EMS, along with the accompanying technology for sending information to hospitals, for $14,588, which will come from the fire accumulative fund.
• Gave Police Chief Tony Ciriello the OK to purchase new portable radios for $3,878.40, the amount of a Homeland Security grant.
• Was notified that Ind. 13 from the railroad tracks to Main Street would be closed for about a half hour for the Memorial Day Parade, starting at 1:30 p.m. Monday.
• Was informed that the Front Street bridge would be open for Memorial Day weekend.[[In-content Ad]]
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