Syracuse Changes Skate, Bike Rules
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
SYRACUSE - Changes to the town's skateboard and bicycle policy were approved at Syracuse Town Council's meeting Tuesday.
Under the ordinance, 05-25, bicycles are now allowed on any public right of way as long as they yield the right of way and operate in a "safe and non-reckless manner."
Skateboards will be allowed in "designated areas," though currently there are no such areas.
This change was brought about because of the upcoming skate park. As Town Manager Jeff Noffsinger said, the kids will need a way to get back and forth from the skate park.
Council members Paul Stoelting and Larry Siegel objected to the new ordinance's wording, saying the town shouldn't differentiate between bicycles and skateboards. Siegel said it wasn't fair to punish current skateboarders for damage caused by those in the past.
"If there's graffiti on the side of a building, you don't outlaw spray paint," Siegel noted.
Noffsinger said the new ordinance corrects the old ordinance, which outlawed skateboarding in town completely. In the past, Noffsinger said, skateboarders got a "bad rap," but there still are legitimate safety concerns that constitute a need for some differentiation in the new ordinance.
The ordinance passed four to one, with Stoelting opposed.
In other business, the board approved:
• A value engineering agreement with Wightman and Petrie. Wightman and Petrie will examine the water distribution project plans prepared by Greeley and Hansen for a fee not to exceed $8,500.
Greeley and Hansen, with whom the board reported having "trust issues" with at the last meeting, said they may impose a fee of up to $4,000 for extra work the value engineering agreement could cause their office.
Town attorney Michael Reed said he doesn't believe they will have cause to charge any more, as they shouldn't have to attend any extra meetings.
• Appointments to both the Board of Zoning Appeals and the library board. Heidi Heinisch will fill the unexpired term of Rebecca Kubacki with the library board. Larry Martindale will fill Andy Kitson's unexpired term with the BZA and Don Cowan will replace Gus Duehmig.
Siegel objected to Don Cowan's appointment, calling it a conflict of interest because he is the husband of council president Cassie Cowan.
Cowan replied that in a small town, one can not sit at home doing nothingÊbecause one's spouse is doing a public service.
Noffsinger said that while the two positions were open and advertised in local newspapers, only Cowan and Martindale agreed to serve as board members.
• A $1,000 sewer tap fee waiver for the Kiwanis Club. The club will install restrooms at the Little League fields.
• A request from the police department to transfer about $2,500 from various funds to pay for computer stands. The department will receive laptop computers from the county prosecutor but need the stands to mount them in the cars.
• Town clerk Julie Kline announced the 2006 recycling schedules are available in the clerk's office.
Syracuse Town Council members are Cowan, Stoelting, Siegel, Brian Woody and Bill Musser. [[In-content Ad]]
SYRACUSE - Changes to the town's skateboard and bicycle policy were approved at Syracuse Town Council's meeting Tuesday.
Under the ordinance, 05-25, bicycles are now allowed on any public right of way as long as they yield the right of way and operate in a "safe and non-reckless manner."
Skateboards will be allowed in "designated areas," though currently there are no such areas.
This change was brought about because of the upcoming skate park. As Town Manager Jeff Noffsinger said, the kids will need a way to get back and forth from the skate park.
Council members Paul Stoelting and Larry Siegel objected to the new ordinance's wording, saying the town shouldn't differentiate between bicycles and skateboards. Siegel said it wasn't fair to punish current skateboarders for damage caused by those in the past.
"If there's graffiti on the side of a building, you don't outlaw spray paint," Siegel noted.
Noffsinger said the new ordinance corrects the old ordinance, which outlawed skateboarding in town completely. In the past, Noffsinger said, skateboarders got a "bad rap," but there still are legitimate safety concerns that constitute a need for some differentiation in the new ordinance.
The ordinance passed four to one, with Stoelting opposed.
In other business, the board approved:
• A value engineering agreement with Wightman and Petrie. Wightman and Petrie will examine the water distribution project plans prepared by Greeley and Hansen for a fee not to exceed $8,500.
Greeley and Hansen, with whom the board reported having "trust issues" with at the last meeting, said they may impose a fee of up to $4,000 for extra work the value engineering agreement could cause their office.
Town attorney Michael Reed said he doesn't believe they will have cause to charge any more, as they shouldn't have to attend any extra meetings.
• Appointments to both the Board of Zoning Appeals and the library board. Heidi Heinisch will fill the unexpired term of Rebecca Kubacki with the library board. Larry Martindale will fill Andy Kitson's unexpired term with the BZA and Don Cowan will replace Gus Duehmig.
Siegel objected to Don Cowan's appointment, calling it a conflict of interest because he is the husband of council president Cassie Cowan.
Cowan replied that in a small town, one can not sit at home doing nothingÊbecause one's spouse is doing a public service.
Noffsinger said that while the two positions were open and advertised in local newspapers, only Cowan and Martindale agreed to serve as board members.
• A $1,000 sewer tap fee waiver for the Kiwanis Club. The club will install restrooms at the Little League fields.
• A request from the police department to transfer about $2,500 from various funds to pay for computer stands. The department will receive laptop computers from the county prosecutor but need the stands to mount them in the cars.
• Town clerk Julie Kline announced the 2006 recycling schedules are available in the clerk's office.
Syracuse Town Council members are Cowan, Stoelting, Siegel, Brian Woody and Bill Musser. [[In-content Ad]]