SYRACUSE – Amid excitement over reports of progress at the new industrial park, the word easements caused some wincing from Syracuse Town Council members Tuesday night. Ken Jones, project engineer from Jones Petrie Rafinski, requested funds relating to AT&T’s cable easement, and attorney Steve Snyder asked for an alley vacation, a path that council regards as a potential utility easement for the town. AT&T has a fiber optic cable that runs across the road, and has asked the town to pay for its protection. A month or so ago, $6,000 was paid to that company for them to cover its cable. Now, said Jones, he’s received a payment request for another $11,338 to encase the cable in steel. Council members asked what the original payment was for as this was disappointing news. “Basically what they’re saying is they want to charge you $6,000 to charge you $11,000,” answered Jones. Regarding the steel encasement, Jones added, “I honestly don’t think it’s necessary.” The council was assured that this money is grant eligible, so with no other options and concern they could be liable for damage, they approved the payment. One caveat is that there could be extra costs if rocks are found. Jones also asked for an extension to the completion deadline. The contract initially stated a March finish, but council agreed to extend that to June 1. “The contractor has done a good job working through winter,” Jones said. Councilmen agreed that progress has been good, and they too are now pushing to meet that deadline. Towards that goal, they signed contracts with Northern Indiana Public Service Company to install gas lines for $18,072 and electric lines for $46,879.56. A portion of the money would be refunded after businesses move into the park within a six-year period. A public hearing on an alley vacation began discussion on drainage and public use. An 8-foot-wide alley just north of the post office became a bit more important after Snyder, on behalf of clients James and Karen Tranter, requested its vacation. The Tranters own the property on both sides of the alley with Pack Rat storage on the north side. They want to add storage on the south side, right up to the alley line. Snyder told the council, “It’s mostly grass, only 8 feet wide, and doesn’t serve any purpose.” Part of the alley has already been paved over for a parking lot. The BZA will hear this request Thursday, said Snyder. It could go to the county review committee who will determine whether to require or waive a drainage system. Councilman Larry Siegel was concerned that giving up a potential easement would not be in the best interest of the town. “After going through so much effort and cost to obtain easements for the industrial project, we might want to hold onto the easements we have,” he said. Much discussion about drainage ensued. There already is a drainage problem in that area, but Snyder said that the Tranters would make sure runoff would travel north, aiding the current drainage problem. However, council agreed that they did not have enough information at this point to make any decision. They asked for a drainage plan. But that might not be required by the county officials, countered Snyder. He said he wouldn’t know until Thursday. Siegel was protective of the new industrial park and industrial corridor along State Road 13. “We have to make sure it doesn’t hinder the orderly development of the area,” he said. Snyder answered, “I am using your own storm water and drainage ordinance.” He also told council if they need extra assurance and drainage plans, “Change your ordinance so I can go tell my clients what they need to do.” Snyder admonished the council’s hesitation. “If you want to keep it for 40 years do that. If you want to develop and create tax money, vacate it,” he said. Siegel repeated, “I’d rather keep our easements.” The council continued the public hearing for 30 days. Park Superintendent Chad Jonsson announced several upcoming events: the town indoor yard sale is March 2, a night Easter egg hunt is March 22, and the daytime hunt is March 23. April 13 is work day at the new sports fields, and dedication will be held sometime in May. Town Manager Henry DeJulia notified council that road work on Ind. 13, beginning at County Line Road, will start Aug. 5 and continue until Oct. 18. He doesn’t know how far south it will go.
