Syracuse Town Council Wraps Up Year-End Business
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
SYRACUSE - Monday's meeting of the Syracuse Town Council was a time to wrap up loose ends before the new year.
Town officials will be sworn in Dec. 27, the final meeting of the year. At this time the board also will decide whether or not to buy the property across the street from the town hall. The building was damaged by heavy snow nearly a year ago.
In a major shift, the council voted to change the way in which council members are selected - caucuses are out, primaries are in. Carol Koble asked town manager Brian Redshaw to publicize when and where candidates should file for the primary.
Another ordinance repealed the whistle ban ordinance, and the third revoked a $500 stipend inadvertently given to the captain of the Fire Department.
The council approved purchasing about $15,000 worth of equipment for the Police Department, including computers and their accessories, ammunition, a digital camera, shirts and accessories for officers as well as office supplies.
It also approved the purchase of two computers for the clerk-treasurer's office. Upgrades are needed to facilitate new programs for payroll and billing procedures.
In looking to the future, the council appointed a building inspector, studied a lengthy report on water rates, approved the 2002 water and wastewater budgets, discussed the need to form a group to formulate an economic development plan and decided to delay a discussion of limited parking on town streets until later.
Mike Searfoss was hired as Syracuse building inspector at a $15-an-hour rate, not to exceed $2000 a year. Gary Green was the other applicant.
Umbaugh & Associates presented a preliminary water rate study. Within the 12-page report was a $3 million estimate on the cost of a project that was never defined. It could add as much as $14 to a monthly water bill.
The wastewater budget the board approved showed a 122 percent reduction while the water department budget was reduced by 3 percent. In addition, it was announced that a company will perform maintenance inspection and testing at current wells, pumps and filters within the town's water system without charge for one year. After that a contract could be signed at $125 per unit.
"We've realized the realities of a recession. Industrial usage is down considerably," public works head Tom Miller told the council, which commended him for slashing costs.
The idea to form a body to address economic development was initiated when town resident Larry Siegel asked the council if there was any formal group working to bring businesses to town.
There was some discussion about development of an industrial park, about Syracuse's image as a resort community and about the negative effects of growth.
Koble said she thought it might be time for someone to set some goals for what type of industry Syracuse wants to attract. No action was taken, and the discussion was deferred until later.
Earlier, Siegel was introduced as the new member of the Syracuse Board of Parks and Recreation, replacing Virginia Lambright. Parks superintendent Michael Hixenbaugh updated the council on electrical problems in the parks, community center construction and Christmas in the Park, which became Christmas in the School due to rain. He offered to be a tour guide for town council members wishing to see the community center.
In other business, Koble asked that lake easements be better marked and that a pipe sticking up on Medusa Street be removed. Council president Barbara Carwile remarked that the outdoor lighting at Syracuse Elementary School illuminated the entire neighborhood. Redshaw said they would be on a timer when construction is complete.
For November the Syracuse Fire Department reported making 20 fire runs with a total loss of $173,750. Three of the runs were in town, eight were in the township. Of the 38 EMS runs, 16 were in town.
The Syracuse Police Department reported answering 21 alarms and making 32 courtesy calls. It filed 11 property damage reports, one personal injury report and responded to 255 complaints. In the traffic division, 161 warning tickets were issued, 85 traffic violations were given, seven people were arrested for driving while intoxicated and 13 criminals were arrested.
The dispatcher's office handled 232 calls for the town police, 93 for the township, 139 for the fire department within the town and 267 in the township. In addition, it handled 16 calls for the street department and 155 courtesy calls from residents. [[In-content Ad]]
SYRACUSE - Monday's meeting of the Syracuse Town Council was a time to wrap up loose ends before the new year.
Town officials will be sworn in Dec. 27, the final meeting of the year. At this time the board also will decide whether or not to buy the property across the street from the town hall. The building was damaged by heavy snow nearly a year ago.
In a major shift, the council voted to change the way in which council members are selected - caucuses are out, primaries are in. Carol Koble asked town manager Brian Redshaw to publicize when and where candidates should file for the primary.
Another ordinance repealed the whistle ban ordinance, and the third revoked a $500 stipend inadvertently given to the captain of the Fire Department.
The council approved purchasing about $15,000 worth of equipment for the Police Department, including computers and their accessories, ammunition, a digital camera, shirts and accessories for officers as well as office supplies.
It also approved the purchase of two computers for the clerk-treasurer's office. Upgrades are needed to facilitate new programs for payroll and billing procedures.
In looking to the future, the council appointed a building inspector, studied a lengthy report on water rates, approved the 2002 water and wastewater budgets, discussed the need to form a group to formulate an economic development plan and decided to delay a discussion of limited parking on town streets until later.
Mike Searfoss was hired as Syracuse building inspector at a $15-an-hour rate, not to exceed $2000 a year. Gary Green was the other applicant.
Umbaugh & Associates presented a preliminary water rate study. Within the 12-page report was a $3 million estimate on the cost of a project that was never defined. It could add as much as $14 to a monthly water bill.
The wastewater budget the board approved showed a 122 percent reduction while the water department budget was reduced by 3 percent. In addition, it was announced that a company will perform maintenance inspection and testing at current wells, pumps and filters within the town's water system without charge for one year. After that a contract could be signed at $125 per unit.
"We've realized the realities of a recession. Industrial usage is down considerably," public works head Tom Miller told the council, which commended him for slashing costs.
The idea to form a body to address economic development was initiated when town resident Larry Siegel asked the council if there was any formal group working to bring businesses to town.
There was some discussion about development of an industrial park, about Syracuse's image as a resort community and about the negative effects of growth.
Koble said she thought it might be time for someone to set some goals for what type of industry Syracuse wants to attract. No action was taken, and the discussion was deferred until later.
Earlier, Siegel was introduced as the new member of the Syracuse Board of Parks and Recreation, replacing Virginia Lambright. Parks superintendent Michael Hixenbaugh updated the council on electrical problems in the parks, community center construction and Christmas in the Park, which became Christmas in the School due to rain. He offered to be a tour guide for town council members wishing to see the community center.
In other business, Koble asked that lake easements be better marked and that a pipe sticking up on Medusa Street be removed. Council president Barbara Carwile remarked that the outdoor lighting at Syracuse Elementary School illuminated the entire neighborhood. Redshaw said they would be on a timer when construction is complete.
For November the Syracuse Fire Department reported making 20 fire runs with a total loss of $173,750. Three of the runs were in town, eight were in the township. Of the 38 EMS runs, 16 were in town.
The Syracuse Police Department reported answering 21 alarms and making 32 courtesy calls. It filed 11 property damage reports, one personal injury report and responded to 255 complaints. In the traffic division, 161 warning tickets were issued, 85 traffic violations were given, seven people were arrested for driving while intoxicated and 13 criminals were arrested.
The dispatcher's office handled 232 calls for the town police, 93 for the township, 139 for the fire department within the town and 267 in the township. In addition, it handled 16 calls for the street department and 155 courtesy calls from residents. [[In-content Ad]]