Syracuse Establishes Police Board To Facilitate Pension Fund
Posted
Denise Federow-
SYRACUSE – Syracuse Town Council members passed an ordinance abolishing the town marshal position and instead created a Syracuse Board of Metropolitan Police Commissioners, who will then make a recommendation to the council for the position of police chief each year.
Police Chief Jim Layne explained this was required in order to be able to join the 1977 Police and Firefighter Pension and Disability Fund administered by the Indiana Public Employees Retirement Fund (PERF).
Along with this action, the council also passed a resolution appointing members to serve on the Board of Metropolitan Police Commissioner, effective June 19. Town Manager Mike Noe will serve one year, Council President Larry Martindale will serve for three years and Council Member Tom Hoover will serve two years.
The council also passed an ordinance establishing the Syracuse PERF 1977 Police Pension Fund and establishing a board of trustees. The trustees consist of the town manager, the police chief and the town clerk. They also passed a related resolution electing to join the 1977 Police Officers and Firefighters Pension and the resolution stated that all full-time police officers presently employed by the town of Syracuse who have met the minimum medical standards and all subsequent employees hired as police officers are covered. The active date of membership begins July 1.
The council also voted to name Jim Layne as police chief.
Settlement Accepted
The town of Syracuse has accepted a settlement with one of the parties they’ve had a pending litigation suit against regarding a construction project at the wastewater treatment plant a few years ago. The settlement with Inframark, LLC is for $75,000 and at Tuesday’s council meeting they approved the agreement.
Town Manager Mike Noe said the agreement with Triad, Inc., also a named part in the litigation, “should be settled this month.”
The litigation regards a renovation project at the wastewater treatment plant that was later claimed found to be improperly designed to fit the town’s needs and equipment that didn’t work properly from the beginning, creating a need for the town to re-do the project.
Dam Creates Tension
During the public comments section of the meeting, David Johnston a member of the water control device committee came looking for status of the survey for Crosson Mill Park and Dam. Johnston was told they are in the process of getting quotes for the survey.
“How long does it take to get a quote for surveys?”
He said it was creating concern because they can’t move forward to get permits until the survey is done. “How much longer do you think it will take?”
Noe said they were getting it as quickly as possible but surveyors were busy. Noe and council members said they didn’t believe getting the permit was contingent upon the survey being completed.
Council Member Larry Siegel said, “Your committee should be able to file for the permit” and said the owner could be listed as either unknown or their committee.
After not being able to get a firm date a seemingly frustrated Johnston said, “It seems to me since you don’t have ownership of the water control device of the land you don’t care about getting it fixed, even though it affects the whole town.”
That comment fired up the council, especially Siegel who said “Don’t imply that we don’t care and don’t see the urgency because we do!” Siegel said they’ve spent countless hours working on this even though they don’t own it. “We saw the urgency way before you were involved. There’s a lot more you could be doing and you’re not.”
Johnston fired back, “You’ve no idea how much the committee is doing.”
Council President Martindale put an end to the heated exchange.
After the meeting Siegel said he personally spent countless hours on his own time traveling to Indianapolis trying to get help for this issue. According to Siegel since the town doesn’t own the dam he was told spending town money on it would be akin to misappropriating funds. He said he also contacted Kosciusko County who agreed to survey parts of the dam.
Because no one is listed as the owner of this dam on the deed the water control committee was formed and they’re establishing a conservancy district.
In Other Business:
• Passed two ordinances amending the town code and adding stop signs—one at the southwest corner of Thwaits Court & West Wildwood Drive and the second at the northwest corner of Technology Way & Innovation Blvd.
• Approved a task order for Commonwealth Engineers for $20,000 for interior painting of the north water tower.
• Approved Schrock Masonry & Installation, LLC Nappanee to repair bricks on town hall at a cost of $5,255.
• Approved the purchase of a mini backhoe from South Eastern Equipment, Fort Wayne at a cost of $81,000.
• Approved the purchase of a Sutphen fire rescue truck through Herb Fire, Dublin, Ohio as low bidder at a cost of $579,078.
• Approved an encroachment agreement brought by Chris Bornman of White Oaks Construction, Cromwell for property at 700 N. Huntington.
• Heard Aaron Dickson is the new wastewater treatment plant employee.
• Heard Police Officer Michael Bumbaugh is leaving the Syracuse Police Department and applications will be taken until July 5 to find his replacement.
• Heard Officer Dan Buell just completed Drug Recognition Expert School.
