SYRACUSE - The Potawatomi Heights and Ind. 13 storm sewer project will be completed by Cal-Con Construction, who brought in the lowest bid of $233,589, the Syracuse town council decided Tuesday.

The Ind. 13 Water and Wastewater Utilities Extension was bid by Cripe Excavating at $162,403.41.

Bob Services will replace sidewalks for not more than $30,990, or $5 per square foot.

Constance Anthony, owner of the 13 Center, gave the city an easement to install, maintain and service utility lines through her property for future development. The city will install water/sewage lines through her property at her expense.

Ideal Suburban Homes also granted an easement to the city for utility line installation.

First reading of ordinance 04-17, water rate increase, was read; the second reading and public hearing are scheduled for the next regular meeting, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. The rate will increase in two phases, starting in January.

Ordinance 04-18, for the water project bond, also was read. Second reading will be Nov. 16. The amount to be raised is $7 million. The town will lock in the loan now while the interest rate is 3.19 percent.

Town manager Jeff Noffsinger and Hal Hansbrough spoke about the need for city ordinances governing property appearance, like missing siding, incomplete remodeling, outside storage of appliances, etc.

Syracuse resident Sharon Fowler, of Pittsburgh Street, said she has brought the council several ordinances from other areas against such items and it is time the city did something. The board will read information supplied by Noffsinger and Hansbrough and took the matter under consideration.

Noffsinger and utilities superintendent Clint Houseworth attended a conference in Indianapolis this month.

Noffsinger brought up the subject of random drug and alcohol testing for town employees. Two employees will be chosen at random and tested each quarter. The cost of the test will be borne by the employee's department.

Noffsinger also wants to establish a Task Force of local residents to guide long-range planning.

In the police department report, the council heard that the paving of Ind. 13 will continue Thursday and is on schedule for completion by Nov. 1. The state will address the stop light at Bowser Road after completion of the current project.

Trick or treat will be Oct. 30 from 6 to 8 p.m.

The EMS purchased new helmets with funds raised by the pork chop/chicken barbecue.

The EMS is getting quotes for a computer to be used in training, with two-thirds of the money to be raised by the EMS and the balance to come from the education fund.

EMS also expressed the desire to purchase a dog for arson detection. The town attorney will look into the town's responsibility to the dog handler.

There will be a Halloween party at the Community Center Saturday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. There will be games and prizes and those attending should wear a costume.

Due to a meter error, Parker-Hanifin was underbilled by $38,805.51.

The debt will will be paid in 12 monthly installments with the regular bill. A system is now in place to prevent this from occurring again. [[In-content Ad]]