Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
SYRACUSE - An ordinance establishing rates and charges for use of the town's waterworks system was passed Tuesday.
The Syracuse Town Council conducted a public hearing and then adopted the ordinance, which calls for a 25 percent increase.
Metered rates per month will be as follows:
First 2,500 gal. $3.60/1,000 gal.
Next 17,500 gal. $3.24/1,000 gal.
Next 40,000 gal. $2.78/1,000 gal.
Next 90,000 gal. $2.38/1,000 gal.
Over 150,000 gal. $1.94/1,000 gal.
The board also approved an addition to the sewage treatment agreement with Oakwood Park to allow a dump station.
Oakwood is unsure whether the dump station will be installed, but wanted to have that option available.
Street superintendent Clint Housworth told the town that Ind. 13 from U.S. 6 to south of North Webster is on the state schedule for reconstruction next year.
State officials told Housworth the reconstruction will include milling of 3 to 4 inches and rebuilding the road bed from the base.
Reconstruction also will include curbing and storm drains.
Housworth noted that this type of reconstruction is regularly scheduled and has nothing to do with the widening project the town has been discussing for several years.
In other action, the town:
• Hired Dennis Myers, of Elkhart, as building inspector at a rate of $15 per hour.
• Received a report from town manager Brian Redshaw that the town has secured a $2,980 Lake and River Enhancement Grant to be used for best management practices with regard to storm water. The grant will be matched with equal funds from the cumulative storm water fund.
• Heard that Ameri-Waste, the town's trash hauler, was frustrated with this year's spring cleanup.
The company provided new guidelines for next year's event. Town council members disagreed with two of the guidelines, regarding the bagging and boxing of all items and limiting the event to one day - Monday.
The town instructed Redshaw to contact Ameri-Waste to see if the guidelines could be made less specific.
• Set two dates for budget sessions - Sept. 2 and Sept. 16.
• After discussion, instructed town attorney Michael Reed to amend the town's peddlers ordinance to exempt nonprofit organizations, churches and children.
• Established a new town budget fund, the Syracuse Law Enforcement Forfeiture Fund. This allows the town to receive revenue from cash or property confiscated during drug arrests.
• Approved the purchase of $6,723 worth of radio equipment for the police department. The purchase includes two mobile radios and five portables. Police Chief Tom Perzanowski said the department's current radios are becoming obsolete.
• Established a fire lane in front of Syracuse Elementary School and eliminated one in front of the old fire station on Frasier Street.
• Established a local ordinance regarding improper parking. The ordinance follows state statute, which requires cars parked parallel to the curb to have the right wheel near the curb.
• Heard a recommendation to designate Washington Street near the curve on Long Drive as a no-parking area. The town decided to draft a letter to residents in the area and get their input before acting. Town councilman Paul Stoelting said that totally eliminating parking in a residential area could potentially create a hardship.
• Was introduced to Bob Tinkey, of Syracuse, who was hired in July as a full-time firefighter and paramedic.
• Approved $2,184 for six pagers for the fire department.
• Approved $2,975 for two sets of firefighting gear. Fire Chief Mickey Scott said the department has 40 sets of gear and tries to replace three per year.
• Heard a report from parks superintendent Mike Hixenbaugh that there have been 23,769 visits so far this year to the Community Center.
• Heard that Hixenbaugh received an $8,600 grant for fitness equipment for the Community Center, including an ellipse machine, a treadmill and a stationary bike.
• Heard that donations have made striping of the gym floor possible and that basketball and volleyball leagues will soon be starting.
• Allowed Housworth to advertise for bids for the following paving projects:
Harkless Drive from the bridge to Ind. 13.
Palm Drive from Lakeside Drive to Harkless Drive.
East Pickwick Street from the east side of the access road to the alley, including a curb on the north side of the Dairy Queen.
Boston Street from Main Street to Oak Street.
Front Street from John Street to Benton Street.
• Approved the bid of Superior Atkins Tree Service, of Columbia City, for removal of seven trees. Superior was low bidder of five with a bid of $3,800.
• Approved an addition to the town's burning ordinance specifically prohibiting the burning of leaves. The action was necessary for Housworth to apply for a 50/50 matching grant for composting equipment.
• Heard that the Hickory Street bridge will be reconstructed next year. Housworth said the county will pay for design and construction of the bridge.
