Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
SYRACUSE - A $3.36 million budget for 2006 was approved on first reading by the Syracuse Town Council Tuesday evening, but not without debate.
Councilmen Larry Siegal and Brian Woody expressed concern over a budget containing money for things like beautification and a "vaxcavator" for the street department, yet not enough money for paving.
There is $40,000 earmarked for beautification. The vaxcavator, a vacuum truck used to clean sewer lines, is expected to cost approximately $60,000.
Siegal said the council is charged with doing what is best for the residents of the town.
He questioned whether the vaxcavator was more of a luxury - something the town could do without.
Public Works Superintendent Clint Houseworth said while the town probably could get by without the machine, it would make sewer line cleaning more efficient.
He also said the town hires an outside firm to clean sewer lines from time to time.
The vaxcavator would make those cleanings less frequent, saving the town money.
"Everybody in this room is trying to do what's best for the residents," Houseworth said. "We may disagree what that is."
Woody also questioned the vaxcavator purchase and the $40,000 earmarked for beautification.
Councilman Bill Musser noted the items - part of the already advertised budget - were already approved at the July 19 meeting.
Woody noted that he wasn't at that meeting and had questions "as a member of the public."
At that point, Woody left his seat at the council table and took a seat in the public section of the meeting room.
"You've got more than $100,000 in there for your saying we can't afford $15,000 for an EMS guy," Woody said.
Town Manager Jeff Noffsinger said the beautification money would be used for trees, signage, gateway signage and other projects to enhance the appearance of the town. He said a beautification committee would be formed to determine the best use for the money, if at all.
He also noted that this was a first reading of the budget and that items can be cut at a later time.
After Woody returned to his seat at the council table, Town Clerk Julie Kline and Councilman Paul Stoelting explained the decision to table the EMS request.
They said it was part of a grant process that could cost the town up to $150,000 over a five-year period and they weren't comfortable with that level of commitment without further study.
Kline noted the budget they were working on was the one she advertised and the same one the council approved at the July 19 meeting.
Noffsinger noted again that cuts in the budget could be made after it is approved. The advertised budget can't be increased, but it can be cut, he said.
Stoelting made a motion to approve the budget on first reading and Musser seconded. Stoelting, Musser and Council President Cassie Cowan voted in favor. Woody and Siegal were opposed.
The council also:
• Heard from Parks Board President Tom Knopp that landscaping recently planted at the town park and community center is dying.
He suggested not paying the claim for Diggin' In The Dirt.
Noffsinger said the plants have a one-year warranty and advised the council to pay the claim. The council voted to pay the claim with the stipulation that Noffsinger follow up with Diggin' in the Dirt.
• Heard a report from Van Young regarding quiet zones from train whistles. He said his group is working with the county, CSX and the Department of Transportation to establish quiet zones through town.
The zone includes eight crossings. The crossings must be upgraded for adequate safety before the DOT will approve a quiet zone and the grant money is available to help offset costs of upgrades.
Upgrades can include curbing, longer gates and automatic whistles.
Young said it is too early to address costs, but noted installation of an automatic whistle at a crossing costs approximately $65,000.
• Approved the rezoning of an area at Huntington and Chicago streets from residential to commercial to accommodate construction of a new CVS store.
The approval followed a recommendation by the Area Plan Commission.
Attorney Steve Snyder, representing CVS, noted the zoning to the south, west and north is zoned either commercial or industrial. He said the east and northeast boundary of the development will be heavily buffered. He said all adjacent property owners were notified of the Area Plan public hearing on the rezoning and there were no remonstrators.
CVS has options on all the real estate necessary for the development, he said.
Sharon Fowler, a resident of the area, voiced her opposition to the development. "I'm not for this," she said. "It's going to be more traffic and more headaches."
Tim Yeager, of Syracuse, voiced his concern about CVS' lack of community involvement.
He said as a local businessman, he's asked to support the local community.
He said CVS, as a national corporation, "adamantly opposes supporting the local community."
The rezoning passed with Woody, Siegal, Cowan and Musser voting in favor. Stoelting abstained.
• Approved the purchase of three lift station generators from Cummins Midstates Power for $55,000.
• Approved the purchase of an influent pump for the wastewater plant at a cost of $7,660.
• Approved paving of Potawatomi Heights by Phend & Brown, of Milford, at a cost of $77,071.
• Approved purchase of a 2005 Ford Crown Victoria police car from R & B Sales, Pierceton, at a cost not to exceed $21,078.
The next regular meeting of the town council is Sept. 13. The final reading of the 2006 budget will be 8 a.m. Aug. 31.
