Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
SYRACUSE - Syracuse Town Council closed out the year with discussion concerning several topics involving not only the growth of the community, but railroad safety as well.
Karen Badorek, president of the Syracuse Action Committee, addressed the council with a request to pursue the creation of a quiet zone.ÊThis would run from East Wawasee Drive, east of the corporate town limit to the western corporate town limit.ÊThe railroad crossings involved include: East Wawasee Drive, Bishop Road, Warner Road, East Shore Drive, Front Street, Huntington Street (Ind. 13)/Switching Rail, West Main Street/Syracuse-Webster Road and Oak Street. The request asks that the quiet zone restrictions be imposed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
These crossing would have what is known as a wayside horn, which is automated and activated by a train when it reaches a quarter mile from the crossing. The horns themselves are not intrusive beyond the actual crossing.
This is contingent upon a preliminary engineering report being done for each crossing.ÊBadorek was seeking the approval of the council to send letters to Hal Gibson, principal engineer public projects; Tammy Wagner, regional crossing manager, Federal Railroad Administration; and Tom Beck, railroad section manager, Indiana Department of Transportation.
According to Badorek, no funds have been requested at this time from the town, and it was suggested that funds could be raised by the committee.ÊThe council granted approval to seek the preliminary engineering reports as requested.
The council approved Resolution No. 2005-06, authorizing to purchase certain real estate in Benton Township, Elkhart County. The purchase price agreed upon is not to exceed $420,000.ÊFurther legislative action by the council was required and taken to authorize town attorney Mike Reed and Council President Brian Woody to sign a warranty deed and title insurance commitment, and to also authorize Clerk Treasurer Julie Kline to transfer this amount, along with a $20 transfer fee.ÊThe land in question is being purchased from the Northern Indiana Public Service Co.
The council approved contract change order No. 3 for the water distribution project.ÊThe specific changes involve the elimination of inaccessible 2-inch valves on air release structures and the elimination of the Armorloc Scour Protection System at the water tower overflow.ÊThis will provide a cost reduction of $4,538, which puts the full contract price now at $4,910,762, instead of $4,915,300.
The purchase of two one-horse power pumps for the Medusa Street lift station was approved at a cost of $3,760 plus freight.
Police Chief Tony Ciriello addressed the council regarding the interlocal agreement between Kosciusko County and Syracuse for the drug interdiction vehicle.Ê The county purchased three vehicles through the Law Enforcement Forfeitures Fund to be used for drug interdiction.ÊAccording to the agreement, the vehicle provided to the town will be titled to the town; the town will be responsible for all licenses, insurance, maintenance, repair and replacement.Ê The town will have the power to dispose of the vehicle when they see fit, and the county will have no further obligation regarding this vehicle.ÊThe council approved the agreement as presented.
In other police matters, Ciriello reported that for November, 323 calls for service were answered in town, with five being answered outside of city limits.
A supplement to the 2007 fire contract for Syracuse/Turkey Creek Township has been entered into.ÊThis agreement is for EMS services.ÊIn part, the agreement states on or about Jan. 3, the town clerk treasurer shall issue a check in the amount of $90,000 from the town EMS fund to the township trustee. These funds will be used for the expenses to provide emergency medical services for the residents of the town and the township.
In other fire department matters, Chief Mickey Scott announced the contract to build the KME rescue/pumper unit was signed Nov. 27. The new unit should be in the department's possession sometime between the end of June and the end of July.
The fire department responded to 80 EMS calls and 26 fire calls during November.
Council member Paul Stoelting was elected as council president for 2007.ÊHe will appoint a vice president when he takes office after the first of the year.ÊCiriello and Reed were reappointed to their positions.ÊTown Manager Jeff Noffsinger will be leaving his position by the middle of January.
In other business:
• The council approved the payment of claims for the month of November in the amount of $469,999.72.
• Since New Year's Day, Jan. 1, falls on a Monday, trash pickup is rescheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 2.
• The council discussed the possibility of changing the bidding process for quotes from contractors who provide services for the town.ÊIn question is the addition of specific completion dates.
Syracuse Town Council members are Woody, Stoelting, Larry Siegel, William Musser and Cassandra Cowan.
