Syracuse Town Council Approves Sale Of Bonds For Sewer Improvements
February 21, 2018 at 5:54 p.m.
By Mark [email protected]
Town Manager Henry DeJulia asked the council to waive a second reading and approve an ordinance to finance $750,000 in 10-year bonds for maintenance and repairs to the town’s water treatment plant. The bonds go toward the estimated $1.3 million needed to pay for the projects, with the rest coming from economic development income tax funds. The council approved both requests.
Utilities Director Robin Merchant told the council he needs to bring in a consultant to find the cause of a pump consistently losing pressure at a booster station. The consultant would cost $1,080 for the day, and Merchant said he would have that person check out the remaining pumps to get the town “its biggest bang for the buck.” The council approved the consultant.
Merchant asked the council to consider an ordinance for water pre-treatment to get oil and grease out of the wastewater. He said the current ordinance “is lacking, to put it mildly,” and needs to be updated. The council will look into the request.
Merchant said so far two residents have reported back-ups related to this week’s rain, and that he wouldn’t be surprised if there were more as the week wears on and rain continues to fall.
Fire Chief Mickey Scott asked the council to approve $139,761.27 for a scheduled phase-in of safety equipment. He said that every 10 years that equipment needs to be replaced, per industry standard, and $140,000 was budgeted for the expense. The council approved the request.
Scott said the department responded to 139 calls for service in January, up 38 calls from December. He said there were four house fires and one vehicle fire last month.
The fire chief made a point to thank neighboring agencies for their help during not only a particularly busy month but all the help they’ve received over the years. Scott said, “We’re always ready to proudly assist those same agencies when they need it.”
Police Chief James Layne suggested the town adopt an ordinance to force eastbound traffic on West Railroad Avenue to turn right onto Huntington Street. Layne said he’s heard from CSX Railroad officials concerned about semi-trailer truck traffic needing to turn right from Huntington onto Railroad, and having to wait on drivers wanting to turn left toward uptown Syracuse. The waiting truck drivers have their trailers on the tracks, creating a safety hazard.
The council asked town attorney Vern Landis to draw up the ordinance in time for its March 20 meeting.
Layne told the council the police department responded to 367 calls in January, and had five criminal arrests, two batteries, two leaving the scene of an accident and one drug-related arrest. There were 13 property damage accidents and seven traffic citations issued, along with 15 warnings.
Earlier in the meeting, Layne introduced Gage Fannin as the police department’s new patrol officer. Fannin was then sworn in by clerk-treasurer Paula Kehr-Wicker.
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Town Manager Henry DeJulia asked the council to waive a second reading and approve an ordinance to finance $750,000 in 10-year bonds for maintenance and repairs to the town’s water treatment plant. The bonds go toward the estimated $1.3 million needed to pay for the projects, with the rest coming from economic development income tax funds. The council approved both requests.
Utilities Director Robin Merchant told the council he needs to bring in a consultant to find the cause of a pump consistently losing pressure at a booster station. The consultant would cost $1,080 for the day, and Merchant said he would have that person check out the remaining pumps to get the town “its biggest bang for the buck.” The council approved the consultant.
Merchant asked the council to consider an ordinance for water pre-treatment to get oil and grease out of the wastewater. He said the current ordinance “is lacking, to put it mildly,” and needs to be updated. The council will look into the request.
Merchant said so far two residents have reported back-ups related to this week’s rain, and that he wouldn’t be surprised if there were more as the week wears on and rain continues to fall.
Fire Chief Mickey Scott asked the council to approve $139,761.27 for a scheduled phase-in of safety equipment. He said that every 10 years that equipment needs to be replaced, per industry standard, and $140,000 was budgeted for the expense. The council approved the request.
Scott said the department responded to 139 calls for service in January, up 38 calls from December. He said there were four house fires and one vehicle fire last month.
The fire chief made a point to thank neighboring agencies for their help during not only a particularly busy month but all the help they’ve received over the years. Scott said, “We’re always ready to proudly assist those same agencies when they need it.”
Police Chief James Layne suggested the town adopt an ordinance to force eastbound traffic on West Railroad Avenue to turn right onto Huntington Street. Layne said he’s heard from CSX Railroad officials concerned about semi-trailer truck traffic needing to turn right from Huntington onto Railroad, and having to wait on drivers wanting to turn left toward uptown Syracuse. The waiting truck drivers have their trailers on the tracks, creating a safety hazard.
The council asked town attorney Vern Landis to draw up the ordinance in time for its March 20 meeting.
Layne told the council the police department responded to 367 calls in January, and had five criminal arrests, two batteries, two leaving the scene of an accident and one drug-related arrest. There were 13 property damage accidents and seven traffic citations issued, along with 15 warnings.
Earlier in the meeting, Layne introduced Gage Fannin as the police department’s new patrol officer. Fannin was then sworn in by clerk-treasurer Paula Kehr-Wicker.
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