Syracuse Passes Ordinance To Regulate Golf Carts
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By John DeGroff-
Town Marshal Tony Ciriello had approached the council during a previous meeting about the issue. It was decided at that time that Ciriello would research what was needed to enact an ordinance and would provide appropriate wording.[[In-content Ad]]"The last general assembly said that if we wanted to allow golf carts in town, we'd have to create an ordinance or otherwise it would be illegal," Ciriello said. "We have four or five around town. After making a few revisions, we've drafted a final version."
The ordinance regulating the use of golf carts within the town of Syracuse contains the following provisions:
Only licensed drivers can operate golf carts in Syracuse.
Golf carts must obey the rules of the road and display a flashing amber light to the front and a flashing red light to the rear of the golf cart or have full working headlights, tail lights and display a slow moving vehicle sign. If any golf cart is to be driven on the streets of the town after dark it must be equipped with headlights.
Golf carts must be equipped with a rearview mirror and factory seating for all occupants; all occupants must be seated while the golf cart is in use. Children under the age of 5 can't ride on the rear seat unless accompanied by a person over the age of 15.
Golf carts are not to be operated on any state highway within the town, specifically Ind. 13, except for crossing the highway at any intersection. No golf cart shall be allowed to travel on town sidewalks.
Public safety personnel shall be exempt from this ordinance during the performance of their official duties.
Violation of the ordinance will result in a fine of $25 for the first offense, and a fine of $50 for each subsequent offense within the same calendar year.
The council approved the ordinance as presented.
Pam Kennedy, Housing Opportunities of Warsaw, presented the council with an update on work being done within the town on qualifying homes.
According to Kennedy, the grants will end Sept. 30. Under the two existing grants, seven houses have been completed for each grant. On Aug. 26, three more homes will be worked on under the Day of Caring program. St. Andrews will be providing food for workers.
Kennedy also said another new program, called Household Energy Reduction Opportunities, has been started and works through area churches to provide weatherization for qualifying households. Some homes within Syracuse will probably qualify under this grant as well, Kennedy said.
Ken Jones, Wightman Petrie, updated the council regarding the sewer work that will need to be completed for the industrial park. Although he didn't present any information that required the council's action at this meeting, it was agreed that he would research how many more properties could be served under the existing contract, and whether or not lift stations can be included to existing plans.
An identity theft prevention program for the Syracuse Utilities Department was presented by Clerk-Treasurer Julie Kline.
In part, the plan "... is intended to identify red flags that will alert employees when new or existing accounts are opened using false information, protect against the establishment of false accounts, methods to ensure existing accounts were not opened using false information, and measures to respond to such events."
Kline said this is a federally mandated program, under the Federal Trade Commission.
"Basically, it contains a lot of common sense things that we're already doing in our office," she said.
The council approved the plan.
In other business, the council:
n Approved payment of claims for the month of July for $457,760.86.
n Heard the train depot committee will approach the council next month with information regarding the donation agreement with CSX for the depot. The agreement is still in negotiations, pending an insurance review.
n Heard Syracuse Days, sponsored by the Syracuse Chamber of Commerce, is scheduled for Aug. 6-8, with several new events this year.
n Heard Aug. 15 is the Kiwanis Triathlon.
n Heard a crossing guard is needed to work a half hour in the morning and a half hour in the afternoons at Main and Boston streets.
n Heard new garbage stickers are now available. They can be obtained at the clerk's office, Monday through Thursday, until 5 p.m., and Saturdays 9 to 11 a.m.. The current stickers are only good for one more week.
Syracuse Town Council members are Brian Woody, Bill Musser, Larry Siegel, Cassie Cowan and Paul Stoelting.
Town Marshal Tony Ciriello had approached the council during a previous meeting about the issue. It was decided at that time that Ciriello would research what was needed to enact an ordinance and would provide appropriate wording.[[In-content Ad]]"The last general assembly said that if we wanted to allow golf carts in town, we'd have to create an ordinance or otherwise it would be illegal," Ciriello said. "We have four or five around town. After making a few revisions, we've drafted a final version."
The ordinance regulating the use of golf carts within the town of Syracuse contains the following provisions:
Only licensed drivers can operate golf carts in Syracuse.
Golf carts must obey the rules of the road and display a flashing amber light to the front and a flashing red light to the rear of the golf cart or have full working headlights, tail lights and display a slow moving vehicle sign. If any golf cart is to be driven on the streets of the town after dark it must be equipped with headlights.
Golf carts must be equipped with a rearview mirror and factory seating for all occupants; all occupants must be seated while the golf cart is in use. Children under the age of 5 can't ride on the rear seat unless accompanied by a person over the age of 15.
Golf carts are not to be operated on any state highway within the town, specifically Ind. 13, except for crossing the highway at any intersection. No golf cart shall be allowed to travel on town sidewalks.
Public safety personnel shall be exempt from this ordinance during the performance of their official duties.
Violation of the ordinance will result in a fine of $25 for the first offense, and a fine of $50 for each subsequent offense within the same calendar year.
The council approved the ordinance as presented.
Pam Kennedy, Housing Opportunities of Warsaw, presented the council with an update on work being done within the town on qualifying homes.
According to Kennedy, the grants will end Sept. 30. Under the two existing grants, seven houses have been completed for each grant. On Aug. 26, three more homes will be worked on under the Day of Caring program. St. Andrews will be providing food for workers.
Kennedy also said another new program, called Household Energy Reduction Opportunities, has been started and works through area churches to provide weatherization for qualifying households. Some homes within Syracuse will probably qualify under this grant as well, Kennedy said.
Ken Jones, Wightman Petrie, updated the council regarding the sewer work that will need to be completed for the industrial park. Although he didn't present any information that required the council's action at this meeting, it was agreed that he would research how many more properties could be served under the existing contract, and whether or not lift stations can be included to existing plans.
An identity theft prevention program for the Syracuse Utilities Department was presented by Clerk-Treasurer Julie Kline.
In part, the plan "... is intended to identify red flags that will alert employees when new or existing accounts are opened using false information, protect against the establishment of false accounts, methods to ensure existing accounts were not opened using false information, and measures to respond to such events."
Kline said this is a federally mandated program, under the Federal Trade Commission.
"Basically, it contains a lot of common sense things that we're already doing in our office," she said.
The council approved the plan.
In other business, the council:
n Approved payment of claims for the month of July for $457,760.86.
n Heard the train depot committee will approach the council next month with information regarding the donation agreement with CSX for the depot. The agreement is still in negotiations, pending an insurance review.
n Heard Syracuse Days, sponsored by the Syracuse Chamber of Commerce, is scheduled for Aug. 6-8, with several new events this year.
n Heard Aug. 15 is the Kiwanis Triathlon.
n Heard a crossing guard is needed to work a half hour in the morning and a half hour in the afternoons at Main and Boston streets.
n Heard new garbage stickers are now available. They can be obtained at the clerk's office, Monday through Thursday, until 5 p.m., and Saturdays 9 to 11 a.m.. The current stickers are only good for one more week.
Syracuse Town Council members are Brian Woody, Bill Musser, Larry Siegel, Cassie Cowan and Paul Stoelting.
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