2023 Syracuse Appointments Approved By Council
December 21, 2022 at 10:00 p.m.
2023 Syracuse Appointments Approved By Council
By Denise Fedorow-
Those included Jim Layne as police chief (one-year term), Randy Cox and Cory Mast to the Syracuse Board of Zoning Appeals (four-year term), Matt Goodnight to the Kosciusko Area Planning Commission (four-year term), Jeff Goralczyk and new member David Rosenberry to Redevelopment Commission (one-year term).
They also approved Larry Martindale, Cindy Kaiser, Corky Wong and attorney Andrew Grossnickle to the fire territory board for one-year terms.
Appointed to the tree board for three-year terms were Mark Aurich, Elizabeth Goralczyk and Rex Smalley (replacing Gary Green whose term is ending 2024) and to the park board Jeff Nicodemus for a three-year term.
Council President Bill Musser also had several appointments to approve including, for the Syracuse Board of Zoning Appeals, new members Scott Abbs and Brandon Wolferman for four-year terms; and Larry Siegel, Jim Layne and Cory Mast to the Redevelopment Commission for one-year terms.
Council Member Larry Siegel said the Council wanted to welcome all the new members to boards and commissions and they’re looking forward to working with them.
Chris Fancil and Jessica Camarena were present from Live Well Kosciusko County representing the Community Well Being Committee. They talked about the five pillars of wellbeing that includes physical, social, financial, career/purpose and community. The committee felt it was important to address the areas of safety and security in Kosciusko County and because first responders bear the responsibility of that, the committee designed an appreciation campaign.
Local students created artwork for the campaign and Kosciusko County Leadership Academy came up with a K-County discount program. Local businesses are providing discounts and gifts. A QR code will take you to the website that lists the businesses — including The Lab, Ledgeview Brewing Company, Tippy Creek Winery, Light Rail, Anderson Florist and more. First responders will be given a discount card identifying them as eligible for the discounts.
Fancil said he’s been a first responder for 30 years and there’s a need for more people having an interest in police, fire and EMS.
“Our hope is more people will frequent these businesses and the first responders will get the respect they deserve. This is a small way to say thank you to them,” Fancil said.
Town attorney Jay Rigdon presented an agreement to the Council, stating that the last time it was updated was 2012-13. He said while there’s a budgeted amount for his retainer, there’s also unknown expenses due to litigation and bonds so he wanted the Council to add more into the budget and if it’s not needed, it can be used elsewhere. The budgeted amount is $24,000 a year.
Councilman Larry Siegel had some questions about a couple of sections and the Council approved the agreement with the stipulation that the corrections and clarifications will be made.
Jeremy Hardy, of Commonwealth, reported he received two responses for the guaranteed savings contract work that will include the Oakwood lift station, water loop, corrections at the wastewater treatment plant and rehabilitating the north tower.
Quotes were received from FA Wilhelm and Kokosing. Hardy said the Council can choose to interview them or take the submissions and score them.
He reminded the Council, “You’re working in good faith — they’ll come up with pricing for each of the projects but if it doesn’t work out you can walk away and go to the open bid market.”
Council members said they didn’t feel qualified to score the contracts so they asked Town Manager David Wilkinson, Public Works Superintendent Mark Aurich and others they might wish to include to score the contracts and make a recommendation.
Wilkinson reported that the library is interested in purchasing the Dolan Street property and will make a formal presentation to the council in January.
He presented a last-minute resolution about scheduling BANS pay off in five years but Siegel didn’t feel the resolution was specific enough so it was tabled.
Wilkinson also wanted to be transparent that staring in January his wife will be the director of operations for KEDCO.
Public Works Superintendent Mark Aurich reported they’re gearing up for the winter storm and he plans to stay in town Thursday night and Friday, depending on conditions, and will be available overnight to help keep things cleared for emergency services.
In other business:
• Cindy Kaiser was nominated as Town Council president for 2023.
• The Council approved a resolution authorizing the clerk-treasurer to do end of year transfers.
Those included Jim Layne as police chief (one-year term), Randy Cox and Cory Mast to the Syracuse Board of Zoning Appeals (four-year term), Matt Goodnight to the Kosciusko Area Planning Commission (four-year term), Jeff Goralczyk and new member David Rosenberry to Redevelopment Commission (one-year term).
They also approved Larry Martindale, Cindy Kaiser, Corky Wong and attorney Andrew Grossnickle to the fire territory board for one-year terms.
Appointed to the tree board for three-year terms were Mark Aurich, Elizabeth Goralczyk and Rex Smalley (replacing Gary Green whose term is ending 2024) and to the park board Jeff Nicodemus for a three-year term.
Council President Bill Musser also had several appointments to approve including, for the Syracuse Board of Zoning Appeals, new members Scott Abbs and Brandon Wolferman for four-year terms; and Larry Siegel, Jim Layne and Cory Mast to the Redevelopment Commission for one-year terms.
Council Member Larry Siegel said the Council wanted to welcome all the new members to boards and commissions and they’re looking forward to working with them.
Chris Fancil and Jessica Camarena were present from Live Well Kosciusko County representing the Community Well Being Committee. They talked about the five pillars of wellbeing that includes physical, social, financial, career/purpose and community. The committee felt it was important to address the areas of safety and security in Kosciusko County and because first responders bear the responsibility of that, the committee designed an appreciation campaign.
Local students created artwork for the campaign and Kosciusko County Leadership Academy came up with a K-County discount program. Local businesses are providing discounts and gifts. A QR code will take you to the website that lists the businesses — including The Lab, Ledgeview Brewing Company, Tippy Creek Winery, Light Rail, Anderson Florist and more. First responders will be given a discount card identifying them as eligible for the discounts.
Fancil said he’s been a first responder for 30 years and there’s a need for more people having an interest in police, fire and EMS.
“Our hope is more people will frequent these businesses and the first responders will get the respect they deserve. This is a small way to say thank you to them,” Fancil said.
Town attorney Jay Rigdon presented an agreement to the Council, stating that the last time it was updated was 2012-13. He said while there’s a budgeted amount for his retainer, there’s also unknown expenses due to litigation and bonds so he wanted the Council to add more into the budget and if it’s not needed, it can be used elsewhere. The budgeted amount is $24,000 a year.
Councilman Larry Siegel had some questions about a couple of sections and the Council approved the agreement with the stipulation that the corrections and clarifications will be made.
Jeremy Hardy, of Commonwealth, reported he received two responses for the guaranteed savings contract work that will include the Oakwood lift station, water loop, corrections at the wastewater treatment plant and rehabilitating the north tower.
Quotes were received from FA Wilhelm and Kokosing. Hardy said the Council can choose to interview them or take the submissions and score them.
He reminded the Council, “You’re working in good faith — they’ll come up with pricing for each of the projects but if it doesn’t work out you can walk away and go to the open bid market.”
Council members said they didn’t feel qualified to score the contracts so they asked Town Manager David Wilkinson, Public Works Superintendent Mark Aurich and others they might wish to include to score the contracts and make a recommendation.
Wilkinson reported that the library is interested in purchasing the Dolan Street property and will make a formal presentation to the council in January.
He presented a last-minute resolution about scheduling BANS pay off in five years but Siegel didn’t feel the resolution was specific enough so it was tabled.
Wilkinson also wanted to be transparent that staring in January his wife will be the director of operations for KEDCO.
Public Works Superintendent Mark Aurich reported they’re gearing up for the winter storm and he plans to stay in town Thursday night and Friday, depending on conditions, and will be available overnight to help keep things cleared for emergency services.
In other business:
• Cindy Kaiser was nominated as Town Council president for 2023.
• The Council approved a resolution authorizing the clerk-treasurer to do end of year transfers.
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092