Syracuse Handles Pier Pressure
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Kathy [email protected]
It ended with the OK to advertise the $3,498,227 proposed 2015 budget.
At the July meeting, council asked department heads to adjust their proposed equipment numbers to free up enough money to give employees a 3 percent raise. With only slight changes from the numbers Kline presented then, the final budget came in around $236 higher, and $166,246 above this year’s budget.
The proposed budget, which shows an increase from the 2014 numbers, include: clerk, $618,187, up $32,047; police, $1,028,904, up $47,854; street, $947,851, up $55,941; park, $392,326, up $15,425; and other budgets, such as cumulative park, law enforcement continuing education, riverboat revenue, cigarette taxes, rainy day funds and economic development, at $244,500, up $57,000. The town manger’s budget decreased by $41,021 to a proposed $266,459.
The estimated tax levy for 2015 is $1,739,783, which is $107,967 under the maximum levy of $1,847,750.
Kline said, “This is what I will present to the council and advertise.”
Council also discussed possible methods of dealing with a pier problem brought to them by Police Chief Tony Ciriello.
Years ago, a legal issue concerning riparian rights, or the right to place piers in Syracuse Lake at the end of public rights-of-way, was resolved in court with the confirmation of the town’s rights at these locations. As a result, the town passed an ordinance which allows residents to install their piers, after first obtaining a permit, at the ends of these streets and alleyways. Ciriello said most residents have abided by the rules.
His problem is with one resident at the end of Harrison Street to whom he has been sending warning letters for two years. The resident has a pier with an adjacent quonset hut, and only recently obtained a permit after Ciriello’s many warning.
Now there is a new problem, said Ciriello. A boat that belongs to someone other than the pier owner was tied to that pier until Ciriello issued yet another warning to the pier owner, who said he does not know the owner of the boat. The boat was moved out into the water – tied to an augured post not touching the pier – after the latest warning.
The police chief said that once again the pier owner has been notified of the violation, but denies any connection to the boat or its owner.
Ciriello asked council if he could deny a permit to the pier owner next year, but councilman Larry Siegel advised that they move with caution.
“I think our problem is with the owner of that ‘stray’ boat,” Siegel said.
Councilman Kathy Beer suggested the police move the boat, but Ciriello said the force doesn’t have a boat of its own and nowhere to store the “stray” boat.
“Why don’t we take a look at the ordinance,” Siegel suggested, adding that anything they do in this case would have to be enforced in all permit cases. Town attorney Vern Landis will investigate options.
Ciriello also brought up a need for security at the police department. He said his secretary doesn’t feel safe, and about $16,000 to $17,000 would buy them a more secure office with new windows, door, locks, four cameras and a panic button in the clerk’s office. Council approved $15,000 for the project, and he will make up the difference from his budget.
He was not given approval, though, to purchase a new entrance system. He suggested that council consider purchasing a software and key card system that could monitor and record all entries into the town hall and control after-hours use of the building.
The council also put off a request from Town Manager Henry DeJulia to contract with a TV production company, Discover America, to broadcast town promotional video on regional shows and once nationally. The cost is $25,000 and the town would be given licensing after 34 showings of a 5-minute segment over a 90-day period. Former football player and television sportscaster Terry Bradshaw would appear in the promotion.
Council members Bill Musser and Beer questioned when and where these shows would be aired, and suggested they gather more information and look into cheaper options.
In other business, council:
• Awarded paving contracts to Niblock Excavating, Elkhart, for paving the Oakwood neighborhood for $158,201.20, and town streets for $105,000, with completion by Oct. 31
• Awarded a $10,700 contract to Wawasee Tree Trimming for trimming work to be completed by Thanksgiving.
• Approved the purchase, over three years, of radio meters for the water department.
• Was informed by Brett Konarski of Petrie Jones Rafinski, project engineer at the new technology park, that signs will be installed by Aug. 27, and Elkhart County will take possession of the roads right after plans are wrapped up with the Economic Development Administration.
• Was reminded that two people are still needed for the county and town boards of zoning appeal.
• Heard that the Harkless bridge is now finished. It will be sealed next year after the wood has dried.[[In-content Ad]]
It ended with the OK to advertise the $3,498,227 proposed 2015 budget.
At the July meeting, council asked department heads to adjust their proposed equipment numbers to free up enough money to give employees a 3 percent raise. With only slight changes from the numbers Kline presented then, the final budget came in around $236 higher, and $166,246 above this year’s budget.
The proposed budget, which shows an increase from the 2014 numbers, include: clerk, $618,187, up $32,047; police, $1,028,904, up $47,854; street, $947,851, up $55,941; park, $392,326, up $15,425; and other budgets, such as cumulative park, law enforcement continuing education, riverboat revenue, cigarette taxes, rainy day funds and economic development, at $244,500, up $57,000. The town manger’s budget decreased by $41,021 to a proposed $266,459.
The estimated tax levy for 2015 is $1,739,783, which is $107,967 under the maximum levy of $1,847,750.
Kline said, “This is what I will present to the council and advertise.”
Council also discussed possible methods of dealing with a pier problem brought to them by Police Chief Tony Ciriello.
Years ago, a legal issue concerning riparian rights, or the right to place piers in Syracuse Lake at the end of public rights-of-way, was resolved in court with the confirmation of the town’s rights at these locations. As a result, the town passed an ordinance which allows residents to install their piers, after first obtaining a permit, at the ends of these streets and alleyways. Ciriello said most residents have abided by the rules.
His problem is with one resident at the end of Harrison Street to whom he has been sending warning letters for two years. The resident has a pier with an adjacent quonset hut, and only recently obtained a permit after Ciriello’s many warning.
Now there is a new problem, said Ciriello. A boat that belongs to someone other than the pier owner was tied to that pier until Ciriello issued yet another warning to the pier owner, who said he does not know the owner of the boat. The boat was moved out into the water – tied to an augured post not touching the pier – after the latest warning.
The police chief said that once again the pier owner has been notified of the violation, but denies any connection to the boat or its owner.
Ciriello asked council if he could deny a permit to the pier owner next year, but councilman Larry Siegel advised that they move with caution.
“I think our problem is with the owner of that ‘stray’ boat,” Siegel said.
Councilman Kathy Beer suggested the police move the boat, but Ciriello said the force doesn’t have a boat of its own and nowhere to store the “stray” boat.
“Why don’t we take a look at the ordinance,” Siegel suggested, adding that anything they do in this case would have to be enforced in all permit cases. Town attorney Vern Landis will investigate options.
Ciriello also brought up a need for security at the police department. He said his secretary doesn’t feel safe, and about $16,000 to $17,000 would buy them a more secure office with new windows, door, locks, four cameras and a panic button in the clerk’s office. Council approved $15,000 for the project, and he will make up the difference from his budget.
He was not given approval, though, to purchase a new entrance system. He suggested that council consider purchasing a software and key card system that could monitor and record all entries into the town hall and control after-hours use of the building.
The council also put off a request from Town Manager Henry DeJulia to contract with a TV production company, Discover America, to broadcast town promotional video on regional shows and once nationally. The cost is $25,000 and the town would be given licensing after 34 showings of a 5-minute segment over a 90-day period. Former football player and television sportscaster Terry Bradshaw would appear in the promotion.
Council members Bill Musser and Beer questioned when and where these shows would be aired, and suggested they gather more information and look into cheaper options.
In other business, council:
• Awarded paving contracts to Niblock Excavating, Elkhart, for paving the Oakwood neighborhood for $158,201.20, and town streets for $105,000, with completion by Oct. 31
• Awarded a $10,700 contract to Wawasee Tree Trimming for trimming work to be completed by Thanksgiving.
• Approved the purchase, over three years, of radio meters for the water department.
• Was informed by Brett Konarski of Petrie Jones Rafinski, project engineer at the new technology park, that signs will be installed by Aug. 27, and Elkhart County will take possession of the roads right after plans are wrapped up with the Economic Development Administration.
• Was reminded that two people are still needed for the county and town boards of zoning appeal.
• Heard that the Harkless bridge is now finished. It will be sealed next year after the wood has dried.[[In-content Ad]]
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