SYRACUSE – Town council held a public hearing on its 2015 budget during its regular meeting Tuesday night. No one commented on the $3,498,227 budget estimate so that meeting was closed, and the budget will be brought up for adoption Oct 21. Two residents did address the council on what they described as a parking problem for large rigs. “When we appropriate for parking – why is there no place for (trucks) to park?” asked town resident Mike MacNeil. He stated that the town built a new technology park, but there is nowhere for trucks delivering goods to park. “Everything will be brought in by truck,” he said. MacNeil said truckers need a place to park and some need a place to rest. “Ninety-five percent of truckers are on E-log, and there is no where for them to go.” E-log is electronic logging of their driving hours required by federal law. Resident Sharon Fowler said she sees trucks parked at gas stations in town, and suggested the town designate a parking area for them. “I think a lot of truckers would like this,” she said. President Brian Woody agreed, saying, “Good points.” He told them council would take this information into consideration. Fowler also asked why the town doesn’t budget $10,000 for a building demolition fund as required by law. Town Clerk Julie Kline assured her that there is that amount of money on hand in an “unsafe building fund.” Kline said that the funds were put there but never used, so there is no need to add more at this time. In other business, council: • Adopted two new ordinances, one which will allow placement of stop signs at Palm Drive at the intersection of Lakeside and Lake drives at Oakwood Park; and the other to transfer $15,000 from the Cumulative Capital Improvement Cigarette Tax fund into Capital Improvements. • Approved appointments of Joe Leatherman to the town Board of Zoning Appeals and Ben Plikerd to the county BZA. • Approved the payment of $1,000 to Elkhart County for street signs at the new technology park. • Approved the hiring of Construction Services of Indiana to replace faulty water line valves for $19,277.69, with work to be completed within 30 days. • Heard in the police report that officers responded to 385 calls last month; made six physical arrests, two for felony drug offenses and four for misdemeanor battery and disorderly conduct; and issued 53 tickets. • Heard that the clerk’s office will be closed Oct. 9 as employees will be attending a district clerk’s meeting. • Were updated by councilman Bill Musser that he is working with media on ways to advertise the town. • Were advised that the community harvest festival would be at Lakeside Park Oct. 11. There will be kids activities, hayrides and entertainment.
