Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
SYRACUSE - The Syracuse Town Council met to discuss several issues Tuesday.
Dr. Richard Brungardt, of the Kosciusko County Animal Welfare League, was the first to speak before the council.ÊHe updated those present on the recentÊwork of the organization, which includes the spay/neuter program, and the ongoing effort to facilitate adoptions of unwanted animals.
Any animal that is brought to the AWL's shelter will be kept for five days, while attempts are made to locate the animals owners.ÊIf no owner can be found, the animal is put up for adoption.
"The situation is never going to go away," Brungardt said.Ê"We want to deal with this by developing one-, five- and 10-year plans."Ê A budget of $5,100 was requested for the shelter so the AWL can continue their work.
Syracuse Utilities Director Clint Houseworth addressed the council regarding several projects that are ongoing.
Council approved the payment agreement for the Kerns Crossing Subdivision. Essentially, this subdivision is outside of the city limits, and in order to provide water and sewer service, the city agreed to reimburse J.A. Development, the developer of Kerns Crossing, for the work needed to reach the site for city services.ÊThe payment agreement was approved by the council.
Other public works projects of ongoing concern presented by Houseworth were:
• A preconstruction meeting for the Water System Improvement Project is set for Aug. 17. This is a meeting with the proposed contractors, and information for this meeting will be presented at the next council meeting.
• The Palm Drive Water Main Project was bid by Beer and Slabaugh Inc., at a cost of $66,256.ÊThe council approved this bid.
• Work on the storm sewers on Sycamore Street was approved.
The council also agreed to extend contracts with NIPSCO to provide further utility service.Ê These contracts essentially guarantee NIPSCO will be paid from meter usage.
In other business pertaining to public works, Houseworth asked the council for $3,867.44 to construct a steel storage building behind the belt press facility.ÊHe also asked for an additional $1,000 to pour a concrete pad for the building. Since the original wastewater 2006 budget included $5,000 for this project, the council approved the expenditure.Ê The council also approved Superior Tree Service to conduct tree trimming work.ÊThe street department and town forester have earmarked 68 trees for trimming and other maintenance work.ÊApproval was granted, contingent upon the cost not exceeding $14,000.
In legislative matters, the council approved the following ordinances:
Ordinance No. 06-12: An emergency ordinance providing for the transfer of appropriations for several departments of Syracuse for 2006.ÊThe request was made by the clerk treasurer and forwarded to the town council for their action and passage.
This ordinance allows the following departments to transfer funds for specific purposes:ÊFire department, $4,000 from health insurance to gas and oil; EMS,Ê $3,000 from health insurance to gas and oil;ÊPark department, $1,500 from insurance to gas and oil; Cumulative storm sewer, $20,000 from new equipment fund to professional services.
Ordinance No. 06-11: An ordinance establishing stop signs at the intersection of Front and Medusa streets.
Ordinance No. 06-08: An ordinance to establish an ordinance violations bureau and schedule of ordinances subject to admission of violation, and amending certain penalties in Syracuse.
After some discussion, the ordinance was passed with revisions.Ê These revision were fine for first, second, and third offense against various ordinances.ÊThe original draft did not contain this provision.
According to Town Clerk-Treasurer Julie Kline, "An ordinance violation bureau must be established. If the bureau is not established, I cannot continue to accept fines in the clerk's office.Ê The fines would still stand, though."ÊThe council did agree to establish the bureau, but decided to revisit the issue of specific violations and fines in the future.
Of major concern was a discussion between Council President Brian Woody and Syracuse Fire Chief Mickey Scott.
"The biggest issue now," said Woody, "... we've got to have a fire truck."
The tanker truck that the town has is currently out of service.Ê "The tank on the truck is gone," said Scott.Ê"It won't hold water and has failed before."
Scott went on to say that in order to provide adequate coverage for the town, he previously has borrowed equipment form Turkey Creek Township.
During the discussion of the cost of a new truck, it was brought up that in the past the township and the town had split the cost.Ê However, a new truck would cost more than $300,000.ÊAccording to Scott, this is about $50,000 more than the last truck purchased.
ScottÊalso said some fire truck manufacturers can require payment in full for the chassis before a truck is built; others require 50 percent up front.ÊRegardless, it can take up to nine months after ordering a truck to receive delivery.
Because work is beginning on the 2007 budget, the council did authorize Scott to obtain quotes on used trucks.
In other business:
• The need for newer police vehicles was brought before the council by Town Marshal Tony Ciriello.
• The council approved the payment of claims for August 2006 in the amount of $906,007.41.
• The council set Sept. 4 at 6 p.m. for the first reading of the 2007 budget.ÊThe second reading of the budget will be held during the regular council meeting Sept. 19.
Syracuse Town Council members are Brian Woody, Paul Stoelting, Cassie Cowan, Bill Musser and Larry Siegel.
