Town Of Syracuse In Dispute With Turkey Creek Over Sewer Bill
January 18, 2017 at 4:51 p.m.
By JUDE STRIEBY-RASKA-
Per the Inter-municipal Agreement for Sanitary Sewer Service contract of 1987, the cost of treatment of TCRSD sewage is the sum of debt service charges for the town of Syracuse sewer utility, strength of waste, volume of waste as metered, and a proportionate share of the operation and maintenance expenses of the Syracuse wastewater treatment plan.
DeJulia noted that any changes in regards to billing have been due to either increases in volume from TCRSD (excessive flow that caused sewer backups and forced the town to put in check valves, at no cost to Turkey Creek) or the recent need for improvements to the Syracuse wastewater treatment plant.
DeJulia commented that Turkey Creek was notified of upcoming expenditures prior to the start of the improvement project and has tried to explain the increases several times. Requested information regarding fund appropriation was supplied to its consultant, Umbaugh and Associates.
In other town news, on behalf of town department heads, DeJulia asked to increase spending limits for individual departments to $6,000. This practice would be put in place to take advantage of various group discounts on purchases rather than individual items at a higher price, which costs the town more money overall.
After discussion, Clerk-Treasurer Paula Kehr-Wicker suggested creating a resolution so that the new spending limit would be in writing. The board agreed. Kehr-Wicker and Town Attorney Vern Landis will create the resolution for approval for February’s meeting.
DeJulia mentioned that the town still needs an appointment to the Syracuse Board of Zoning and Appeals. The appointment runs from 2016 to 2020. The candidate would ideally live in town, but that is not required.
Police Chief James Layne disclosed that the Syracuse Police Department is accepting applications for a reserve office. Paper applications may be found at the police department, and if someone is not able to make it in during those hours, they may call ahead at 574-457-5333 and a blank application can be left with the officer on duty.
Layne reported an ADA complaint that the doors to the clerk’s office is troublesome for older residents to open, due to some repair issues. He noted that he will be getting quotes to replace the doors.
Park Superintendent Chad Jonsson reported that due to weather damage to the larger skating rink by the ball park, a smaller rink was created in the Lakeside Park pavilion, even though skating opportunities have been fewer than normal due to warm weather. Jonsson also disclosed that the winter carnival on Jan. 27-28 may not be able to have the snow drags on the lake, depending on the weather.
Director of Public Works Rob Merchant reported an electrical short was found under the sidewalk for five nonworking street lights on Main Street. He will look into some quotes to take care of the short.
Fire Chief Mickey Scott asked for approval of $10,500 for three IV pumps. The motion was approved.
Council member Bill Musser brought up the fact that there is currently no fire hydrant in the immediate downtown area. Musser suggested that a fire hydrant be installed in or near to the uptown block near where Main Street meets Huntington Street. Scott agreed, noting that the town should keep water in that location specifically since in the town’s history the Pickwick block has burned three times. Merchant said the waterworks department was responsible for installing a hydrant there and would look into doing that.
Kehr-Wicker asked for a motion to approve the forwarded encumbrances from the 2016 budget in the amount of $247,771.87. The council passed the motion. She also asked for a motion to pay $15,206.65 to Robert Crosby Inc., which the council also approved.
A conflict with a member of the public arose when the person asked if there was or should be an ordinance against family members working together in town positions.
“I don’t feel it’s a problem to the town,” Council President Tom Hoover stated, adding that an ordinance didn’t need to be created. “If it’s a problem, the town will handle it, that’s about what it comes down to.”
The member of the public then loudly addressed personal insults to Hoover, who reiterated that he felt family members working together was not a problem.
Another member of the public mentioned that they appreciated the Christmas lights being left up through the winter, since it adds a cheery feeling to the drive through town.
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Per the Inter-municipal Agreement for Sanitary Sewer Service contract of 1987, the cost of treatment of TCRSD sewage is the sum of debt service charges for the town of Syracuse sewer utility, strength of waste, volume of waste as metered, and a proportionate share of the operation and maintenance expenses of the Syracuse wastewater treatment plan.
DeJulia noted that any changes in regards to billing have been due to either increases in volume from TCRSD (excessive flow that caused sewer backups and forced the town to put in check valves, at no cost to Turkey Creek) or the recent need for improvements to the Syracuse wastewater treatment plant.
DeJulia commented that Turkey Creek was notified of upcoming expenditures prior to the start of the improvement project and has tried to explain the increases several times. Requested information regarding fund appropriation was supplied to its consultant, Umbaugh and Associates.
In other town news, on behalf of town department heads, DeJulia asked to increase spending limits for individual departments to $6,000. This practice would be put in place to take advantage of various group discounts on purchases rather than individual items at a higher price, which costs the town more money overall.
After discussion, Clerk-Treasurer Paula Kehr-Wicker suggested creating a resolution so that the new spending limit would be in writing. The board agreed. Kehr-Wicker and Town Attorney Vern Landis will create the resolution for approval for February’s meeting.
DeJulia mentioned that the town still needs an appointment to the Syracuse Board of Zoning and Appeals. The appointment runs from 2016 to 2020. The candidate would ideally live in town, but that is not required.
Police Chief James Layne disclosed that the Syracuse Police Department is accepting applications for a reserve office. Paper applications may be found at the police department, and if someone is not able to make it in during those hours, they may call ahead at 574-457-5333 and a blank application can be left with the officer on duty.
Layne reported an ADA complaint that the doors to the clerk’s office is troublesome for older residents to open, due to some repair issues. He noted that he will be getting quotes to replace the doors.
Park Superintendent Chad Jonsson reported that due to weather damage to the larger skating rink by the ball park, a smaller rink was created in the Lakeside Park pavilion, even though skating opportunities have been fewer than normal due to warm weather. Jonsson also disclosed that the winter carnival on Jan. 27-28 may not be able to have the snow drags on the lake, depending on the weather.
Director of Public Works Rob Merchant reported an electrical short was found under the sidewalk for five nonworking street lights on Main Street. He will look into some quotes to take care of the short.
Fire Chief Mickey Scott asked for approval of $10,500 for three IV pumps. The motion was approved.
Council member Bill Musser brought up the fact that there is currently no fire hydrant in the immediate downtown area. Musser suggested that a fire hydrant be installed in or near to the uptown block near where Main Street meets Huntington Street. Scott agreed, noting that the town should keep water in that location specifically since in the town’s history the Pickwick block has burned three times. Merchant said the waterworks department was responsible for installing a hydrant there and would look into doing that.
Kehr-Wicker asked for a motion to approve the forwarded encumbrances from the 2016 budget in the amount of $247,771.87. The council passed the motion. She also asked for a motion to pay $15,206.65 to Robert Crosby Inc., which the council also approved.
A conflict with a member of the public arose when the person asked if there was or should be an ordinance against family members working together in town positions.
“I don’t feel it’s a problem to the town,” Council President Tom Hoover stated, adding that an ordinance didn’t need to be created. “If it’s a problem, the town will handle it, that’s about what it comes down to.”
The member of the public then loudly addressed personal insults to Hoover, who reiterated that he felt family members working together was not a problem.
Another member of the public mentioned that they appreciated the Christmas lights being left up through the winter, since it adds a cheery feeling to the drive through town.
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