Syracuse Discusses Fire Territory
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
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The idea of a fire territory encompassing the township and the city has been a concern for the last three years. Known as an interlocal agreement, approval is needed by both entities before it can come into effect.
The township had sent a recommendation to the council regarding the formation of the executive board for the fire territory, which presented the option of two members being appointed by the township, two by town council and one mutually agreed upon appointee.
A motion to accept this agreement, as presented by council member Brian Woody, touched off the longest discussion of the meeting. The budget for the proposed fire territory, the affect on local taxes, and how homeowners' insurance might be affected, were part of the discussion.
Several local firefighters were also in attendance, and the subject was brought up that without the partnership between the township and the city, existing fire protection and services could be jeopardized financially. The existing full-time firefighters might have to be replaced by an all-volunteer unit, it was suggested.
The council did finally approve the motion to accept the fire territory executive board agreement.
The council also approved an ordinance establishing town budget accounts. This ordinance creates four new accounts for the town: Federal Housing Grants for the owner-occupied home repair program, which receives payments of this money and then disburses funds; Affordable Housing Fund, established to receive payments from homeowners participating in the repair program; Emergency Housing Revolving Loan Fund, established to assist homeowners in making emergency repairs to help alleviate substandard housing conditions; and Commercial/Retail Facade Improvement Revolving Loan Fund, established to assist business owners.
The council adopted a resolution that states "... the town of Syracuse did originally join and adopt the original ordinances and comprehensive plan laid out and adopted by the Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission as of August 1977." This resolution means Syracuse will accept any changes to ordinances concerning county zoning, flood control, subdivision control, storm water and erosion control and mobile homes control.
The council approved an agreement with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management to update the language of city codes in regard to what is considered acceptable intake for the wastewater system.
In other business, the council:
n Approved payment of $10,485.70 to Princo of Fort Wayne for work on the sewer force main at the Lakeside Drive bridge project.
n Approved $1,414 for a spray system for the town's salt truck. This system adds a de-icing solution to salt, which helps extend the life of the salt.
n Town Manager Henry DeJulia announced the town, in conjunction with the Wawasee Area Conservation Foundation, applied for a Lake and River Enhancement Program grant. This would be for $30,000, and would be used to help repair the levy break.
n The Parks Department announced the annual Easter Egg Hunt will be March 15 at 11 a.m. at East Side Park. Arbor Day is scheduled for April 25 at Syracuse Elementary.
n The Parks Department is also seeking donations to the Lilly Foundation Matching Grants Fund. As of January, $8,300 has been received.
n Approved the payment of claims for the month of February 2008 in the amount of $660,133.96.[[In-content Ad]]
The idea of a fire territory encompassing the township and the city has been a concern for the last three years. Known as an interlocal agreement, approval is needed by both entities before it can come into effect.
The township had sent a recommendation to the council regarding the formation of the executive board for the fire territory, which presented the option of two members being appointed by the township, two by town council and one mutually agreed upon appointee.
A motion to accept this agreement, as presented by council member Brian Woody, touched off the longest discussion of the meeting. The budget for the proposed fire territory, the affect on local taxes, and how homeowners' insurance might be affected, were part of the discussion.
Several local firefighters were also in attendance, and the subject was brought up that without the partnership between the township and the city, existing fire protection and services could be jeopardized financially. The existing full-time firefighters might have to be replaced by an all-volunteer unit, it was suggested.
The council did finally approve the motion to accept the fire territory executive board agreement.
The council also approved an ordinance establishing town budget accounts. This ordinance creates four new accounts for the town: Federal Housing Grants for the owner-occupied home repair program, which receives payments of this money and then disburses funds; Affordable Housing Fund, established to receive payments from homeowners participating in the repair program; Emergency Housing Revolving Loan Fund, established to assist homeowners in making emergency repairs to help alleviate substandard housing conditions; and Commercial/Retail Facade Improvement Revolving Loan Fund, established to assist business owners.
The council adopted a resolution that states "... the town of Syracuse did originally join and adopt the original ordinances and comprehensive plan laid out and adopted by the Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission as of August 1977." This resolution means Syracuse will accept any changes to ordinances concerning county zoning, flood control, subdivision control, storm water and erosion control and mobile homes control.
The council approved an agreement with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management to update the language of city codes in regard to what is considered acceptable intake for the wastewater system.
In other business, the council:
n Approved payment of $10,485.70 to Princo of Fort Wayne for work on the sewer force main at the Lakeside Drive bridge project.
n Approved $1,414 for a spray system for the town's salt truck. This system adds a de-icing solution to salt, which helps extend the life of the salt.
n Town Manager Henry DeJulia announced the town, in conjunction with the Wawasee Area Conservation Foundation, applied for a Lake and River Enhancement Program grant. This would be for $30,000, and would be used to help repair the levy break.
n The Parks Department announced the annual Easter Egg Hunt will be March 15 at 11 a.m. at East Side Park. Arbor Day is scheduled for April 25 at Syracuse Elementary.
n The Parks Department is also seeking donations to the Lilly Foundation Matching Grants Fund. As of January, $8,300 has been received.
n Approved the payment of claims for the month of February 2008 in the amount of $660,133.96.[[In-content Ad]]
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