SYRACUSE - "Back in the 1920s a committee was formed to look into a community center. It only took 80 years. Now that we're almost there, are we going to sit around and quibble? I think you should act on this in a positive way," town historian Ron Sharp told the Syracuse Town Council at a public hearing Tuesday on the proposed community center during the regular council meeting.

Council president Barb Carwile said, "I felt the town needs a community center since I moved here in 1943, but I am concerned about what will happen to property taxes."

"I'm on a limited income living on Social Security, and frankly, if my taxes go up, I'll find a way to pay it," an unidentified woman told the council.

Council member Bill Hane said he thought the lighthouse should be cut, and parks superintendent Michael Hixenbaugh said it was not included in the base bid.

Carwile asked about the parking lots. Steve Alexander of Prince/Alexander Engineering, Indianapolis, said that as money becomes available, parking lots would be paved.

"The cards are falling right into place for Syracuse. The bids came in about $200,000 under budget. This is a value that doesn't show up on a spreadsheet," he said.

Hane asked why bids were let in such a piecemeal fashion, and Alexander said it was done to allow more local bidders to become a part of the process, "and it was successful."

Carwile again questioned the probability of a tax increase and town clerk Elgie Tatman said taxes would not increase because the fund already exists.

Janine Shrock, who was accompanied by her husband, Doug, pointed out that nobody in the room had spoken against the community center. The couple donated the land on which the center will be built.

When the public hearing was over, the council voted for the non-binding resolution that will allow the park board to go before the State Board of Tax Commissioners for a hearing. A vote on the bond issue will come when the full council meets May 15, as will a vote on Ind. 13.

The council approved two rezoning requests. One will allow a property that extends from Harkless to Ind. 3 to be zoned residential on the Harkless side and commercial on the highway side. It also approved rezoning so that storage units can be built west of Ind. 13 off Sycamore Street, behind Calvary United Methodist Church. Electricity already is available on the property, and no other utilities will be needed.

Town manager Brian Redshaw received permission to go ahead with demolition of the building that collapsed across the street from Town Hall. The bill for the work will be sent to the owner. He also received permission to ask for a bid on curbside recycling collection when he receives bids for trash collection.

The council also approved an Arbor Day proclamation fulfilling the final requirement for Syracuse to apply for a Tree City USA designation.

Police chief Thomas Perzanowski said he will file for an Indiana Criminal Justice Grant to pay for a victim's assistance person to work out of the Syracuse Police Department, but also will work in North Webster and Milford. A matching grant will help finance office needs for this position. Gary Stuckman has offered to provide a car.

Perzanowski also told the council that his department needs computers and he found a used 486 for $100. Permission to purchase was granted immediately.

Fire chief Larry Hunter told the council he has the specifications for the new pumper truck the department needs and was given permission to advertise for bids.

The council also passed several new ordinances. An ordinance will fund the salary for part-time firemen and paramedics. Another makes it mandatory for all dogs and cats living in town to receive rabies shots from a licensed veterinarian and for these animals to be tagged. Perzanowski said stray animals and packs of wild cats are a real problem in town.

The ordinance that drew the most discussion dealt with parking downtown, and it was settled to the satisfaction of nearly everyone concerned. Parking in the public lots will be limited, but permits can be purchased for unlimited parking for people who live or own businesses downtown.

Because of a typographical error, another ordinance was needed to fund $75,000 in street resurfacing needs. By delaying purchase of a truck, $100,000 was found to repave town streets.

During March the Syracuse Police Department answered nine alarms, made 42 courtesy calls and assisted other departments 28 times. It issued 71 traffic tickets, 67 warnings and eight parking tickets. Four people were cited for driving while intoxicated and 19 were arrested for criminal offenses.

The Syracuse Fire Department made 22 fire runs, with a loss to fire estimated at $12,300. It also made 50 EMS runs, 24 in town and 26 in the township.

Fire hydrants will be flushed tonight, Thursday and Friday night throughout the town.

The VFW post-Easter Egg Hunt will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday in Lakeside Park.

Spring cleanup will be held the week of May 14 to 18. Material must be set out no later than noon on May 17, but can be set out as early as May 5. Items that will not be accepted include toxic or hazardous waste such as paints, oils, grease, cleaners, tires and appliances.

Yard waste will be picked up every Monday and Tuesday if property owners place grass clippings, leaves and brush in neat piles of 3-feet by 3-feet by 6-feet. [[In-content Ad]]