SYRACUSE – The Syracuse Fire Department got the OK from town council Tuesday night to purchase a 2014 Ford diesel grass truck for $100,865. Fire Chief Mickey Scott described the truck, which will replace the department’s 17-year-old truck. A grass truck is a beefed-up four-wheel drive pickup with a conversion package that includes a water tank and the capability of holding emergency rescue and fire equipment including tools and a backboard. Scott explained how the truck can maneuver fields and hard-to-access locales, such as Tri-County game preserve. It will have a larger base than regular trucks and much larger tires. “We have to get to these people,” said Scott. Councilman Larry Siegel voiced his concern with such a large expenditure. “We have one of the most expensive fire departments in the state,” he said. Scott argued that the tax rate was not high, to which Siegel said, “Yes, because we have high property values.” “I support the fire department, but I have can’t always agree with its decisions,” Siegel also said. Woody said he wanted to make sure that the department got rid of the old truck. Scott said it was worth around $4,000. Council members Bill Musser, Brian Woody and Kathy Beer approved the request while Siegel and Paul Stoelting abstained. The council also voted to extend town manager Henry DeJulia’s contract but with a few tweaks. Siegel suggested they add the word “may” to sentences which grant expenses for such things as professional trips. They also stipulated that “comp time” be limited to five days a year without the approval of the council president. Because the town manager is an overtime-exempt employee, he sometimes takes time off to make up for weeks when he’s worked more than 40 hours. Town Clerk-Treasurer Julie Kline told council that she was recently notified by the state that the budget was preliminarily approved with some adjustments that would lower the tax rate a little, from .9040 to .9018. Next year will also see a change in council officers with Paul Stoelting as president. Appointments made were: Tony Ciriello, police chief; Vern Landis, town attorney; Mary Hursh, park board; redevelopment commission, Siegel, DeJulia, Stoelting and Dan VanLue; fire territory, Woody and Musser; tree board, DeJulia and Chad Jonsson; and board of zoning appeals, Jim Allegret. In other business, the council: • Heard that property and liability insurance was going up 4.4 percent and health insurance, 18.09 percent. • Tabled bid awards for the wastewater treatment project until Utilities Superintendent Jeremy Sponseller has more time to research and compare bids.
