SYRACUSE - Attorney Steve Snyder made his case to the Syracuse Town Council members on behalf of his clients, Doug and Jeannine Schrock, to vacate the alley next to their property, but after some discussion, the council moved to deny the request.
Snyder argued that under Indiana state statute, there are only four basis for objecting to a vacation and those include if the vacation would hinder growth or development, if it would make access of land owned by the aggrieved person difficult or inconvenient, would hinder access to a church, school or public building or hinder access to a public way.
Snyder said with the reasons given by neighbors at last month’s meeting, “There is no basis for remonstrance.”
He said concerns brought up about Northern Indiana Public Service Company having access to utilities are not affected by this vacation as they’d maintain their utility easements.
“All this is saying is that it’s no longer a public street — this is a stub end of an unopened street which serves no purpose, so I ask your approval on the vacation so the matter can be concluded,” he said.
Councilman Bill Musser said, “It has long been the city’s unwritten policy not to vacate and I don’t see a reason to vacate this.”
Snyder responded if the request is denied from the Schrock’s standpoint, they’ll put their driveway there and already have a quote to pave it.
Public Works Director Mark Aurich said if they do that, they’ll need to put in a storm sewer so runoff from the non-permeable surface from Schrock’s doesn’t impact the neighbors.
Cory Mast said the alley has always been maintained as a yard since the 1940s and he and other neighbors utilized it. He said he spoke to NIPSCO, and they wouldn’t approve of giving any of it up.
Mast said, “As a member of the redevelopment commission, people have always been told no — now if you say yes you’ll open up to others wanting it. I’m asking the town to keep the position it’s always held to not give up town property.”
Snyder took another tactic, saying if the neighbors want use of the alley maybe the council should vacate the whole thing — those neighbors could submit a request as well.
Councilman Nate Scherer said, “My thing is there’s a ton of these in town and I feel we’d be opening a door.”
Ultimately, the council voted 3-0 to deny the request. Two council members were not present, but they still had a quorum.
2024 Salary
The council approved an ordinance fixing the salary and compensation for 2024, which included an across-the-board increase. Some examples of salary include: president of town council, $9,332.62 per year and other council members $7,778.49 per year paid twice a year in June and December; clerk-treasurer, $2,939.79 per pay period plus longevity; town manager, $3,461.54 per pay period plus longevity. Hourly employees’ minimum pay is $7.25 per hour and depending on the department the maximum runs between $24.97-$32.97.
2024 Appointments
Musser nominated Scherer as council president for 2024 and he accepted. The council approved Jay Rigdon as town attorney and Jim Layne as police chief for 2024. Redevelopment Commission appointments are Scherer, Jim Layne, Mast, Jeff Goralczyk and David Rosenberry.
Fire Territory Board members are Scherer, Cindy Kaiser, Corky Wong and Andrew Grossnickle (attorney). Tree board members serve for a three-year term and include Chad Jonsson and David Wilkinson and park board members serve for a three-year term as well and council appointees are Paul Newcomer and Jenell Leham.
South Shore Project
Terry Sweeney, project director with Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation (KEDCO), came to the council on behalf of South Shore Development, requesting the town pay up to one-third of the cost of an impact study not to exceed $40,000 so the town’s portion of the cost would be $13,333.33. He said he believed South Shore was ready to participate in an agreement for water and sewer extension.
South Shore plans a two-phase development with the first phase 120 apartments and the second phase another 120 apartments for an estimated $50 million investment.
Sweeney said the county commissioners approved paying their portion of the impact study, which would show return on investment.
State Rep. David Abbott was there and is working on changes to annexation legislation.
Musser said he didn’t want to vote without the full council and said he didn’t think anyone was against the project but thought they should table the issue until January.
Abbot said he was going to continue moving ahead with his work on the legislation, which would allow towns to annex non-contiguous properties on a case-by-case basis. In this case they could take utilities down the west side of Ind. 13 to South Shore but all the properties in the area would not need to be annexed.
Scherer thanked Abbott for being there and said he appreciated there are “elected officials willing to maneuver the law for programs in favor of communities.”
Abbott responded, “We’re all about economic development right now statewide. I think this is a good project.”
In other business, the council:
• Transferred the deed of Dolan Drive property to Turkey Creek Library.
• Approved a resolution to allow the clerk-treasurer to transfer funds.
• Approved a letter of engagement with London-Witte annexation fiscal plan for North Trace RV Park.
• Approved a Commonwealth task order for Kern Road sanitary sewer extension.
• Approved A-Z Engineering to do design work, bidding, etc. for the Pearl Street municipal parking lot at cost of $51,705.
• Approved the fire township’s purchase of 10 ballistic vests at a cost not to exceed $22,700 from LITE Tactical Solutions LLC.
• Voted not to change the town pier.