Two Alleys Vacated For Syracuse CVS
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
SYRACUSE - Another step toward development of a new CVS store was taken by the town council Tuesday evening.
The council voted 4-0, with Paul Stoelting abstaining, to vacate a couple of alleys.
The new store will be at the corner of Huntington and Chicago streets.
The alleys vacated are south of Pittsburgh Street south to Chicago Street, and east of Huntington Street to Walnut Street.
Attorney Steve Snyder, representing CVS, told the council the alleys didn't access any property other than that owned by CVS.
He also noted CVS would absorb the cost of moving utilities, if necessary.
The council heard a presentation from Mike Todd of Accu-Med.
Accu-Med is an ambulance billing service. Currently, the town does its own ambulance billing and is collecting at a rate between 80 and 92 percent.
Councilwoman Cassie Cowan asked Todd if his company could improve the rate of collection.
He told the council he couldn't guarantee any increase in collections, but could guarantee that all billings would be accurate with regard to codings for Medicare and Medicaid.
He said there is a risk of "innocent errors" that can cause problems with Medicaid compliance. That risk is eliminated with his company because trained "coders" review every incident based on Medicaid standards.
The council took Todd's presentation under advisement and took no action.
Water tap fees may be increased to $1,000 in the future.
Town Manager Jeff Noffsinger and Public Works Superintendent Clint Houseworth told the council that the current fee of $750 isn't sufficient to cover the town's costs.
Noffsinger also suggested the town approach residents of Fox Run - where water service will become available in the future - to encourage them to tap onto the town's water system.
The council considered delaying the increase until Fox Run residents had a chance to tap on at the existing rate.
Town attorney Michael Reed was instructed to prepare an ordinance regarding an increase in water tap fees.
A tract of land owned by the Syracuse/Wawasee Park Foundation was deeded over to the town.
The land is behind the community center where the skate park will be constructed.
The foundation was concerned about liability and thought it best to deed the land to the town.
Noffsinger announced Jerry Riffle, urban forester, had again gained a "Tree City" designation for Syracuse through the National Arbor Day Foundation.
A celebration is planned April 28 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Syracuse Elementary School.
In addition, April 28 was officially proclaimed Arbor Day in Syracuse.
The council approved $2,695.57 for 17 trees that will be planted this year. Twenty-five dead trees will be removed at a cost of $7,200.
Noffsinger reported the Kosciusko Area Plan Commission will act on the town's comprehensive plan at a May 3 meeting.
The planners will make a recommendation to the Kosciusko County Commissioners, who will meet May 16.
Noffsinger said he will report on the status of theÊcomprehensive plan at the town's May 16 meeting.
Syracuse Police Chief Tony Ciriello report his department has plated or removed 33 abandoned vehicles.
He said the department will continue working on the problem.
Ciriello requested permission from the council to attend a conference on missing and exploited children May 6-8 in Alexandria, Va.
He said there is no charge for the conference or lodging, but the town would be responsible for parking and meals.
The request was approved.
Ciriello also reported he was invited to sit on a national committee with regard to infant and child deaths.
Fire Chief Mickey Scott reported five vendors picked up bid specifications for a new pumper truck.
Parks Superintendent Chad Jonsson reported the ramps and concrete are ordered for the skate park. He said the park may be completed by the first week of June.
New playground equipment will be installed at Lakeside Park May 15, he said.
Houseworth asked the council for $3,975 to restock 50 water meters at a cost of $79.50 each.
Houseworth said he spoke with representatives of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management and engineers working on the town's water project.
He said the project was delayed again, but hoped to have a construction permit for the town by May. [[In-content Ad]]
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SYRACUSE - Another step toward development of a new CVS store was taken by the town council Tuesday evening.
The council voted 4-0, with Paul Stoelting abstaining, to vacate a couple of alleys.
The new store will be at the corner of Huntington and Chicago streets.
The alleys vacated are south of Pittsburgh Street south to Chicago Street, and east of Huntington Street to Walnut Street.
Attorney Steve Snyder, representing CVS, told the council the alleys didn't access any property other than that owned by CVS.
He also noted CVS would absorb the cost of moving utilities, if necessary.
The council heard a presentation from Mike Todd of Accu-Med.
Accu-Med is an ambulance billing service. Currently, the town does its own ambulance billing and is collecting at a rate between 80 and 92 percent.
Councilwoman Cassie Cowan asked Todd if his company could improve the rate of collection.
He told the council he couldn't guarantee any increase in collections, but could guarantee that all billings would be accurate with regard to codings for Medicare and Medicaid.
He said there is a risk of "innocent errors" that can cause problems with Medicaid compliance. That risk is eliminated with his company because trained "coders" review every incident based on Medicaid standards.
The council took Todd's presentation under advisement and took no action.
Water tap fees may be increased to $1,000 in the future.
Town Manager Jeff Noffsinger and Public Works Superintendent Clint Houseworth told the council that the current fee of $750 isn't sufficient to cover the town's costs.
Noffsinger also suggested the town approach residents of Fox Run - where water service will become available in the future - to encourage them to tap onto the town's water system.
The council considered delaying the increase until Fox Run residents had a chance to tap on at the existing rate.
Town attorney Michael Reed was instructed to prepare an ordinance regarding an increase in water tap fees.
A tract of land owned by the Syracuse/Wawasee Park Foundation was deeded over to the town.
The land is behind the community center where the skate park will be constructed.
The foundation was concerned about liability and thought it best to deed the land to the town.
Noffsinger announced Jerry Riffle, urban forester, had again gained a "Tree City" designation for Syracuse through the National Arbor Day Foundation.
A celebration is planned April 28 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Syracuse Elementary School.
In addition, April 28 was officially proclaimed Arbor Day in Syracuse.
The council approved $2,695.57 for 17 trees that will be planted this year. Twenty-five dead trees will be removed at a cost of $7,200.
Noffsinger reported the Kosciusko Area Plan Commission will act on the town's comprehensive plan at a May 3 meeting.
The planners will make a recommendation to the Kosciusko County Commissioners, who will meet May 16.
Noffsinger said he will report on the status of theÊcomprehensive plan at the town's May 16 meeting.
Syracuse Police Chief Tony Ciriello report his department has plated or removed 33 abandoned vehicles.
He said the department will continue working on the problem.
Ciriello requested permission from the council to attend a conference on missing and exploited children May 6-8 in Alexandria, Va.
He said there is no charge for the conference or lodging, but the town would be responsible for parking and meals.
The request was approved.
Ciriello also reported he was invited to sit on a national committee with regard to infant and child deaths.
Fire Chief Mickey Scott reported five vendors picked up bid specifications for a new pumper truck.
Parks Superintendent Chad Jonsson reported the ramps and concrete are ordered for the skate park. He said the park may be completed by the first week of June.
New playground equipment will be installed at Lakeside Park May 15, he said.
Houseworth asked the council for $3,975 to restock 50 water meters at a cost of $79.50 each.
Houseworth said he spoke with representatives of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management and engineers working on the town's water project.
He said the project was delayed again, but hoped to have a construction permit for the town by May. [[In-content Ad]]