Resident Wants De-Annexed Out Of The Town Of Syracuse
Posted
Denise Federow-
SYRACUSE – Syracuse resident Candice Brown attended Tuesday’s town council meeting virtually and asked to be de-annexed.
Brown said she bought her home in Fox Run in October and learned it was annexed into town but that her home was the only one in the housing division that is annexed.
“I want to reverse that,” she told the council.
Council Member Bill Musser said he did some research on that and said it was “virtually impossible.” He said he learned that it would take a vote of 10% of the community or it would need to be on the ballot, but he deferred to town attorney Vern Landis.
Brown said she wasn’t getting any benefit by being annexed and her property taxes were higher.
Landis said he wasn’t aware that the issue was going to come up so he asked for time to research and bring his findings back to the council next month. The council tabled the issue until January.
Town Manager Mike Noe reported that the town received a Community Crossing grant for $343,875 and that money would be used to improve Brooklyn Street as part of the Polywood expansion project and said it would “help tremendously with the cost.”
He said the second phase would be to improve CR 1300 and Railroad Street and would apply either in January or June.
Noe said he sent the wastewater and water budgets to the council and the wastewater budget was reduced 1.64% and the water budget was reduced 13.87% from this year. When asked the reason for the decrease Noe said they didn’t use it so they didn’t budget for it.
The 2021 wastewater budget is $921,800 and the water is $679,700.
He asked for approval to purchase an OSHA-certified trench box that he said was needed for when the street department has to dig a 4 foot or deeper trench, which is often. Noe said it was a pricey piece of equipment at $20,415.67 but the town would “have it forever” and it was needed for safety.
When asked what they’ve done in the past, Noe said they either borrowed one or did without, but they should have it.
The council approved the purchase and Fire Chief Mickey Scott later commended them for taking that action.
Nominations were opened for town council president for 2021. Council Member Tom Hoover nominated Larry Siegel. Siegel then nominated Hoover as vice president.
Things became a little contentious when current Council President Paul Stoelting suggested since Siegel was going to be council president, maybe someone else should be redevelopment commission president.
Stoelting said it was no reflection on the job Siegel has done in that role. “You’ve been a model of community participation and you’ve done a great job,” but Stoelting felt more people should be involved. If nothing else, he suggested someone else on the commission or the council should be co-president of the redevelopment commission.
Siegel said Stoelting was given “czar authority” this year when the council couldn’t meet (because of COVID) and said the council and the redevelopment commission have five members and all members vote. Siegel said he’s been president of the redevelopment commission since the town has had a redevelopment commission and was “not willing to walk away in the middle of these projects.”
“I disagree with you,” he told Stoelting. “I think we can do it and do it well.”
Council Member Bill Musser said he’d appreciate it if the council was “more informed when things were first initiated and not at the last minute when it’s time to vote.”
Siegel said he and Noe were working on that and would do better.
Residents were urged to get carbon monoxide alarms by Scott. He urged residents to get a CO alarm, stating that it is just as important as a smoke alarm, especially now with home heating being utilized. The fire department doesn’t have any more to give out, but they can be purchased at any store that sells hardware items. The fire department does still have smoke alarms for those who may need one.
In other business, the council:
• Approved the clerk-treasurer writing a check for $20,000 out of the CARES Act funds for the fire department.
• Approved a task order with Commonwealth Engineering for as-needed engineering up to $20,000.
• Approved a list of 2021 appointments.
• Approved the purchase of three police cars – one pickup and two Dodge chargers from Burnworth Zollars in Ligonier for a total cost of $88,042.
• Heard the parks department plans to hold the adult basketball league in January but with no spectators and if Kosciusko County goes red they wouldn’t hold it.
• Heard the new fire engine was received and is in service.
