SYRACUSE – The Syracuse Town Council Tuesday night debated whether a problem with the new industrial park fit the definition of an unforeseen circumstance before agreeing to another change order. Ken Jones of engineering firm Jones Petrie Rafinski appeared before council with a request of sorts for additional funds. Cripe Excavating Inc. recently uncovered passing blisters where Ind. 13 meets the new park road and discovered unsuitable material. A geotechnical engineer was called in and confirmed the finding, and all determined that new material would have to be brought in and compacted to form a good, solid subgrade or foundation for the road. The question, however, was whether or not Cripe Excavating, which won the contract by around $100,000, should have known about this problem going into the project. Soil borings were taken in various sites, but this new problem happens to be in state highway territory, so assumptions might have been made about the quality of the road, council heard. Jones told council they needed to decide whether or not Cripe was entitled to any money for this additional work. He cited terms from the contract which referenced “unforeseen circumstances” and told the council that the goal of the contract’s language was “to make the contractor know there were certain conditions that were his responsibility.” Jones added, “Due diligence was required.” On the other hand, Jones praised Cripe Excavating for the quality of work and timely performance. He said the excavator would charge for only trucking in material and the material itself. Jones said the charge went from a normal $18 to $13 a ton, but the actual cost was not clearly stated. “We try to cover ourselves and the town,” said Jones. Councilman Larry Siegel was sympathetic toward the contractor but added, “This cost is on the backs of the townspeople.” Town manager Henry DeJulia did some calculations. “How much is the material alone? More than $9,700? He’s probably paying $10 a ton,” he concluded. “Let’s pay what the material cost.” Councilman Jeff Morgan’s comment, “I hate to stick the guy,” moved the council to agree to pay for the materials, not to exceed $10 a ton. DeJulia concluded, “I think that’s reasonable, that’s fair.” In other business council approved two new ordinances. One will prohibit parking at the southeast corner of Benton and Lake streets in an area alongside the street that was once grassy. The home owner at that location does not need it, and now that it is paved, it’s being used by others. The speed limit on streets near and around the new Harold Schrock Athletic Complex will be reduced to 20 mph, from the state-set 30 mph. This will increase safety for not only those at the sports complex, but for school children walking the streets, said Police Chief Tony Ciriello. The new speed limit signs will be posted after seven days of public notice. The Memorial Day parade will take place at 1:30 p.m. Monday from the railroad tracks north to Main Street. Line-up will begin at noon, and SR 13 will be closed during this time. Residents along SR 13 north of town are asked to water the road shoulders where new grass has been seeded. A little water during the hot, dry days will help green the area.
