Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
SYRACUSE - The Syracuse Town Council held a lengthy meeting Tuesday, which included the approval of several resolutions and ordinances on a variety of community issues.
First to address the council was Pamela Kennedy, executive director of Housing Opportunities of Warsaw.Ê She submitted to the council a resolution regarding the obtaining of a community block grant for Syracuse to be involved with what is known as the Owner Occupied Rehabilitation Program.ÊThis grant would allow Syracuse to apply for up $150,000 that would enable the town to meet the affordable housing and community development needs of low- and moderate-income persons.
According to Kennedy, Indiana has one of the highest foreclosure rates in the nation, and the purpose of such grants is to keep people in their homes.Ê The money awarded to individuals is based on income.
The council approved Kennedy's recommended resolution. There will be a public meeting Tuesday at 4 p.m. at the town hall in regard to this.
The council approved Resolution No. 06-04 accepting the infrastructure at Kern's Crossing. This resolution recognizes the acceptance by the town of Syracuse for the maintenance responsibility for the water and sanitary sewer infrastructure for the subdivision known as Kern's Crossing.Ê
The council approved two separate ordinances dealing with the placement of stop signs.ÊOrdinance No. 06-16 establishes stop signs at the intersection of Syracuse-Webster Road and Chicago Street, and ordinance No. 06-17 establishes stop signs at the intersection of Pickwick Drive and Kinder Drive. It was noted that signs near the school will be installed over Christmas break.
There was discussion regarding Ordinance No. 06-18, known as the Building Code Ordinance. It was noted that Kosciusko County does not have a building inspection department.ÊThis ordinance would give local building inspectors the power to enforce state building codes, as per state requirements.ÊAlthough some members of the council felt the wording of the document was somewhat ambiguous, the ordinance passed with two abstentions.
Two ordinances regarding compensation for town employees were passed.ÊA salary ordinance set salaries for city employees.ÊThis ordinance provides a way for police personnel to increase their salaries, but not for firefighters.ÊAnother ordinance was the accompanying benefit package for city employees.
The council moved to enter into a letter of agreement between the town of and PolywoodÊto extend the Brooklyn Street water project by 200 feet.
The council approved the need for a 5-foot easement from each property owner along Chicago Street. This is due to the fact the street itself is not centered and obtaining further easement is the only way to deal with sidewalk issues.
A change order for the Palm Drive Water project was approved.ÊThe need for the change in work is due to a discrepancy between itemized bit proposals and actual size conditions.ÊExtra materials were required because of the discrepancies. The cost of the additional materials and work required is $6,634.ÊThis puts the total project cost at $72,890.Ê
The council approved the budgets for both wastewater and water for 2006-2007.ÊThe budget for wastewater is $792,357.ÊFor water, the total budget for this period is $1,089,900.Ê
Town Manager Jeff Noffsinger reported there had been a donation by Sedlow of eight sections of pier for the municipal pier.ÊThe value of this donation is $8,200.Ê
Noffzinger said there will be a 25 percent increase in insurance for the town.ÊHowever, he did state that this had been anticipated and was budgeted for already.Ê
The Syracuse Police Department reported 298 calls for service in town, with three outside of town, for October. There were eight accident reports involving property damage, and two personal injury reports.ÊTwelve criminal activity arrests were made, with two juvenile arrests.ÊTraffic tickets issued included 11 for various infractions, with 38 warnings issued. It was also reported that the drug interdiction vehicle is now in service.
For October, the Syracuse Fire Department reported at total of 16 fire runs, and 59 EMS runs.ÊFire Chief Mickey Scott addressed the council regarding the funding for the chassis for a new fire truck.ÊThe chassis must be paid for in full before a truck can be built to specifications.ÊScott said they had been looking at an International 7400 Series chassis, which would be delivered to KME.ÊThe cost is $75,617. The council approved this expense, which will be reimbursed 50 percent by the township.
Scott also approached the council with the need to purchase foam for the pumper truck, at a cost of $1,362, and $1,890 to replace old radios used by both the fire department and the EMS.Ê He stated the cost of the radios would be paid out of both fire and EMS budgets.ÊThe council approved both expenditures.
In other actions, the council:
• Approved $7,080 for 300 feet of 4-foot side walk on Front Street.
• Approved the purchase of a 4x4 diesel, one-ton dump truck for the public works department at a cost of $33,679.
• Authorized Noffsinger to contact the CSX Railroad regarding the crossing on Ind. 13 coming into town.Ê There have been complaints concerning the roughness and unevenness of the crossing.
• Approved the payment of claims totaling $638,835.60 for November.
Syracuse Town Council members are Brian Woody, Paul Stoelting, Larry Siegel, William Musser, and Cassie Cowan.Ê
