Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
SYRACUSE - The Syracuse Town Council Tuesday announced plans for the purchase of land located at the intersection of Ind. 13 and U.S. 6.
This is a 60-acre tract known as the "apple orchard" located on the southwest quadrant of the intersection.
According to Syracuse Town Manager Jeff Noffsinger, the cost of the property is $420,450.Ê
"This will be paid for out of economic development income tax revenues, which have been pledged for some time for this project," he said. "I've been working in conjunction with Elkhart County since the property is located in Elkhart County, one mile north of the county line."
Noffsinger said discussions with Elkhart County will include developing a tax finance district.Ê This tax district will include some of the surrounding property as well as Ameri-Camp Inc.Ê There is a memorandum of understanding, under review by officials of Elkhart Count, Ameri-Camp Inc. and Syracuse, that states who will be responsible for various aspects of the project.
There are plans to run water and sewer lines out to the site, which also will aid Ameri-Camp Inc. in their expansion.
"I am submitting a grant application for this work," said Noffsinger. "The state has committed $200,000 in assistance to get the water and sewer out to U.S. 6. Estimated total cost for the water and sewer is $1.2 million."
Part of the financing for the project will come from the issuing of bonds to pay the debt service on the extension.Ê Further discussions with Elkhart County regarding other financing arrangements also are being entered into.
"The town has been working on this for a very long time," Noffsinger said.Ê"We're very hopeful that this will help stimulate industrial expansion in the community, which will create jobs and be an economic stimulus for Syracuse as well as Kosciusko and Elkhart counties."
"I can't tell you how important this is to our future," said Council President Brian Woody.Ê "This is amazing, truly amazing."
There is an additional meeting scheduled for Oct. 24, 8:30 a.m., to work on more appropriations.ÊUpon the execution of official documentation for the project, the environmental work needed to be done on site will begin.
The council approved an ordinance authorizing the temporary transfer of town funds.Ê In essence, $15,000 from cumulative capital improvement property tax is being transferred to the park fund.ÊThis transfer of funds is a loan to the park fund, with repayment to be made on or before Dec. 31.
The council also approved an emergency ordinance providing for transfer of appropriations for the police department.
In essence, with the cost of gasoline budged at $3 a gallon for the police department, there were insufficient appropriations to cover the cost; $2,000 is to be transferred from telephone fund, with an additional $3,000 transferred from insurance fund to make up the budgetary shortfalls.
In department reports:
Syracuse Police Department answered 385 calls for service in town, and three out of town during September.
Syracuse Fire and EMS had a total of 105 runs for September.Ê Fire Chief Mickey Scott thanked the following personnel who have been working overtime while Jeremy Caudill is out on leave:ÊTony Meek, Kevin Grindle, Dereck Paterson, Matt Danithan and Constance McKee.ÊIt was stated by Scott that these individuals will continue to provide this service through sometime in November.Ê
Syracuse Public Works department reported that a new generator for the wastewater list station at Pickwick and Harkless Drive is now in place.
Fall fire hydrant flushing is scheduled for Oct. 18-20. The water department will flush each night from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m..ÊResidents who get brown or otherwise tainted water should let their faucets run for awhile.
The water department also reported the Palm Drive water main construction project is progressing according to plan.
The street department reported Wightman Petrie Inc. is developing plans for the south corridor storm sewer project.Ê Fall tree planting is scheduled for the week beginning Oct. 23.Ê The council approved the purchase of 12 trees at a cost of $2,324.50.
In other business:
• Claims paid by Syracuse for October were $403,645.34.
• Trick or Treat will be Oct. 31 from 6 to 8 p.m.
• The council approved contracts with Turkey Creek Township for fire, dispatch and EMS service.
• It was announced a salary benefits ordinance for town employees will be completed by early 2007.
Syracuse Town Council members are: Brian Woody, Paul Stoelting, Larry Siegel,ÊWilliam Musser and Cassandra Cowan.
