Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
SYRACUSE - An engineering agreement between Greeley and Hansen Engineers, South Bend, and the Syracuse Town Council for engineer and design work on water and sewer mains was approved by the council Monday.
The engineering work will be for water and sewer to the new Ace Hardware store south of the bowling alley and on the west side of Ind. 13, and a sewer line to Palm Drive.
The scope of services for the proposed water main and sanitary sewer extension to Ace Hardware will include a site survey of the Ind. 13 area; engineers' drawings and specifications of the utilities service project for the new store; preparing and submitting construction permit applications for the water main and the sanitary sewer phases of the project to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management; and assisting the town with the bidding process.
The engineering and design for this part of the project will cost $22,400.
The water main and sanitary sewer construction project on Palm Drive will begin at the intersection of Harkless and Palm drives and extend approximately 1,360 feet east of that intersection to the intersection of Palm and Lakeview drives and will service the residential area on the north side of Palm Drive.
The scope of services provided by Greeley and Hansen will include a site survey of Palm Drive, drawings and specifications, preparing and submitting construction permit applications for the water main and the sanitary sewer phases of the project to IDEM and assisting the town with the bidding process.
The cost for the Palm Drive engineering and design is $24,800.
Preliminary estimated total construction costs will be $247,000 for the Palm Drive project and $236,000 for the Ind. 13 project.
The council also approved town manager Brian Redshaw to negotiate with Syracuse-Wawasee Area Development Co. to purchase their option assignment on 24.8 acres of property adjacent to the industrial park.
The property would be used by the town for a potential well field, the future expansion of the wastewater treatment facility and possibly locating the wastewater facility there. It also may serve as an alternate truck traffic route.
In other business, the council:
• Approved a request from Sprint for a detour on Huntington Street on either May 23 or 24 so the business can move some wires and poles.
• Approved town attorney Michael Reed to investigate and possibly pursue a lawsuit against Water World. According to Redshaw, the town has received numerous complaints about Water World.
• Approved a donation from Mr. and Mrs. Jason Zigler for $2,000 for additional equipment and uniforms for the Syracuse Police Department Reserves.
• Was told by Fire Chief Larry Hunter that the Fire Department and EMS Open House will be June 10 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Many activities are planned.
• Was told by Parks Department Superintendent Mike Hixenbaugh that there will be an ultimate frisbee organizational meeting,clinic and pick-up game at Vega Field Tuesday at 5 p.m.
• Approved a request by utilities department head Kent Thielka for $3,700 to repair a section of sewer line.
• Was told by clerk-treasurer Elgie Tatman that it is budget time. They have a meeting with the state tax board on Aug. 8. The council will need to meet several times in July, Tatman said, to prepare the budget.
• Approved two ordinances. The first was an additional appropriation for the paramedics' service fund for $15,000. The second approved mileage reimbursement for town employees who use their own vehicles for town business at 32.5 cents per mile.
• Was told by a resident that owners of the property at 305 E. Pearl St. have not mowed their yard at all this year. A letter will be sent and if nothing is still done about the yard, the town will handle it and bill the property owner.
• Councilwoman Carol Koble said she wanted to compliment the businesses on Ind. 13 who take pride in their business and property and keep it clean. However, she said, she is beginning to see more people who are not taking pride in how their business property looks.
• Approved for Syracuse Police Department Chief Tom Perzanowski to apply for two COPS grants. The grants, if received, can be used only for officers and salaries and would take effect as soon as officers are hired.
