SYRACUSE - Although it currently affects only one industry, a sewer use ordinance was approved by the Syracuse Town Council Tuesday. The ordinance has to be reviewed by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.

The ordinance would require any industry in Syracuse to seek a permit for use of the city's sewer. The permit especially applies to those who are significant users.

Lora Gartner, technical services provider for Severn Trent Environmental Services, Chicago, said criteria is spelled out in the ordinance as to the definition of a significant user.

Public Works Superintendent Tom Miller said the ordinance was "an effort to protect the community and establish a sewer base."

The last sewer ordinance was adopted by Syracuse in 1975. Gartner said since that time laws have changed locally. The new ordinance would bring the city up to date and protect the town. Syracuse was not mandated to approve the petition, she said.

"I'm glad we finally got around to talking about this," she said.

"Many of the limitations are similar to the agreements with industrial users," Gartner said. "It's a win-win situation."

The ordinance allows the town to keep the right to inspect facilities. It also allows the town to issue penalties for up to $2,500 a day per violation.

Gartner said the town is ahead of the game and industries want to know what to expect when they move to a new area.

"I applaud the town of Syracuse for being proactive," Gartner said.

She also said, "This is something that needs to be reviewed every five years."

Dana Corp. is the only industry in Syracuse that is affected by the new ordinance. Gartner and Miller said they have already had discussions with Dana about the new ordinance.

Miller said, "No other industry at this point has been found to be a significant user."

Town Manager Matt Vigneault said, "It's not going to significantly hurt industries."

Town Attorney Robert Reed said, "I think you need something in place."

Council member William Cutter asked whether or not the ordinance was necessary if it only affects one company. He was also concerned about showing partiality.

Gartner said the ordinance would affect industries across the board and the language was taken straight out of the IDEM and EPA regulations.

IDEM and EPA would also help the town enforce the ordinance. Syracuse will be the controlling authority under the ordinance.

"This establishes a legal ground for us to act," Miller said.Halloween hours were set for Syracuse Tuesday at the town council meeting.

Trick-or-treat will be Oct. 31 from 6 to 8 p.m.

In other news, curbs on the north and south sides of Benton Street will be put into place soon. Parking blocks on the east end with a 10-foot space in the center will be added, as will signs with reflectors as needed.

"We don't need to armor plate this," Town Manager Matt Vigneault said.

The council approved the action because of the possibility that a car could go straight from the road into the water.

Town Attorney Robert Reed said, "We have some duty to provide some access from the road to the lake."

William Cutter, town councilman, said, "We want enough curb that if someone is really tanked off, they won't go flying off."

The council also approved the community center contract between the park department and Prince Alexander architectural firm.

Initially, the council was reluctant to approve the contract.

"I can't see us approving anything on the 1999 budget," council member Barbara Carwile said.

Vigneault said, "You're being asked to approve the contract terms but not the money."

Vigneault said the contractors have to be approved step by step. The park department has the money in place to pay for step one and will not be billed for that until the first of January.

Susan Neff, park department superintendent, said they need to start the project now to be able to apply for Build Indiana funds.

The park department will hold a public meeting to discuss the community center plans Oct. 27 at 7 p.m.

Also, the council approved videotaping the town's sewer system. Public Works Superintendent Tom Miller said he will award the project to R&R Visual, Rochester.

"It'll give us an idea of what we have there," Miller said.

The project will not exceed $4,420, Miller said. It will help the town discover and identify illegal connections and root problems.

"It's an economical way of doing (the job)," Miller said.

Miller also said curbside leaf pickup began Monday and that brush pickup was over for the year.

"We do remind the residents to rake their leaves only to the curbside and not onto the streets," Miller said. [[In-content Ad]]