Syracuse Projects Moving Forward
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By John DeGroff-
The first project under consideration is the Forest Park Subdivision. Lake City Bank has been accepted as the financial agent for the project's bond. They were the only local bidder showing interest. The terms presented to the council are for $265,000 at a 20-year tax-free fixed rate of 4.82 percent. The council accepted this offer, which will allow the town to begin selling bonds after final closing with the bank.[[In-content Ad]]Town Manager Henry DeJulia discussed his continuing work on the community's other major project, the Economic Development Plan for the proposed industrial park.
"We went before the Kosciusko County Area Planning Commission recently where we asked them to approve our economic development area," he said. "This was approved, and we are now working on getting a legal description of the site."
DeJulia said this "legal description" entails having a survey done of the site, and that this would have some additional costs involved. Although the survey must be done before any scheduled public hearings about the project, the council agreed to have DeJulia find out what the cost will be and then report back.
Town Marshal Tony Ciriello presented the department's year-end report for 2008.
"Our total calls for service in 2008 were 4,715," he said. "This is up 252 calls over 2007. Overall, we've been a lot more pro-active than reactive. We're out finding things ... before they happen, and people are calling us more for things that they didn't before. That adds up.
"In this economic downturn, the more people that loose their job, it increases our job. I think that being pro-active says a lot. We're making things happen, rather than waiting for it to happen."
Ciriello said the Syracuse Police Department will provide three patrol cars to accompany the Kiwanis-sponsored trip with area third-graders to the Shrine Circus in Fort Wayne Friday. On Saturday, Long Drive from Washington Street to North Shore will be closed for the Kiwanis snow mobile races.
Syracuse will host an open meeting with State Senators Ryan Mishler and Marlin Stutzman and State Representative Bill Ruppel at the Community Center Jan. 31 at 10 a.m.
"I highly encourage everyone to go see our two state senators and our state representative," said council member Brian Woody. "They will be speaking on very important local government changing legislation and the impact it will have on small government. This does involve some public safety issues."
In financial matters, the council accepted three grants from the Harpeth Foundation: $1,000 for beautification; $1,000 for snowflake decorations; and $6,000 for flood control. The council also accepted an offer from the county of $17,000 as a one-time payoff of their building lease agreement with the town. As part of the agreement, the police department keeps the new phone system installed by county dispatch.
In other business, the council:
n Approved payment of claims for January for $404,873.01
n Approved the payment of $345,928 for outstanding encumbrances from 2008.
n Heard an adult basketball league is being formed. There are currently five teams that have shown interest. Games are to be held on Sunday afternoons. For more information, contact the Syracuse Parks Department at 574-457-3440.
n The Kiwanis Club will host a chili supper Friday with proceeds going to Habitat for Humanity.
Syracuse town council members are Brian Woody, Bill Musser, Cassie Cowan, Larry Siegel and Paul Stoelting.
The first project under consideration is the Forest Park Subdivision. Lake City Bank has been accepted as the financial agent for the project's bond. They were the only local bidder showing interest. The terms presented to the council are for $265,000 at a 20-year tax-free fixed rate of 4.82 percent. The council accepted this offer, which will allow the town to begin selling bonds after final closing with the bank.[[In-content Ad]]Town Manager Henry DeJulia discussed his continuing work on the community's other major project, the Economic Development Plan for the proposed industrial park.
"We went before the Kosciusko County Area Planning Commission recently where we asked them to approve our economic development area," he said. "This was approved, and we are now working on getting a legal description of the site."
DeJulia said this "legal description" entails having a survey done of the site, and that this would have some additional costs involved. Although the survey must be done before any scheduled public hearings about the project, the council agreed to have DeJulia find out what the cost will be and then report back.
Town Marshal Tony Ciriello presented the department's year-end report for 2008.
"Our total calls for service in 2008 were 4,715," he said. "This is up 252 calls over 2007. Overall, we've been a lot more pro-active than reactive. We're out finding things ... before they happen, and people are calling us more for things that they didn't before. That adds up.
"In this economic downturn, the more people that loose their job, it increases our job. I think that being pro-active says a lot. We're making things happen, rather than waiting for it to happen."
Ciriello said the Syracuse Police Department will provide three patrol cars to accompany the Kiwanis-sponsored trip with area third-graders to the Shrine Circus in Fort Wayne Friday. On Saturday, Long Drive from Washington Street to North Shore will be closed for the Kiwanis snow mobile races.
Syracuse will host an open meeting with State Senators Ryan Mishler and Marlin Stutzman and State Representative Bill Ruppel at the Community Center Jan. 31 at 10 a.m.
"I highly encourage everyone to go see our two state senators and our state representative," said council member Brian Woody. "They will be speaking on very important local government changing legislation and the impact it will have on small government. This does involve some public safety issues."
In financial matters, the council accepted three grants from the Harpeth Foundation: $1,000 for beautification; $1,000 for snowflake decorations; and $6,000 for flood control. The council also accepted an offer from the county of $17,000 as a one-time payoff of their building lease agreement with the town. As part of the agreement, the police department keeps the new phone system installed by county dispatch.
In other business, the council:
n Approved payment of claims for January for $404,873.01
n Approved the payment of $345,928 for outstanding encumbrances from 2008.
n Heard an adult basketball league is being formed. There are currently five teams that have shown interest. Games are to be held on Sunday afternoons. For more information, contact the Syracuse Parks Department at 574-457-3440.
n The Kiwanis Club will host a chili supper Friday with proceeds going to Habitat for Humanity.
Syracuse town council members are Brian Woody, Bill Musser, Cassie Cowan, Larry Siegel and Paul Stoelting.
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