Syracuse Receives Grant, Appoints New Redevelopment Commission Member
Posted
Denise Federow-
SYRACUSE – In a brief first meeting of the year, Syracuse Town Council members learned that the town was awarded a $5,000 Harkless grant.
Town Manager Mike Noe announced the news to the council at Tuesday’s meeting. Clerk-treasurer Paula Kehr-Wicker said the grant money will be used for beautification purposes and they’ve not yet decided which specific project will be done.
Noe also said they needed to appoint a new member to the redevelopment commission due to the recent passing of commission member Dan Van Lue. Noe suggested Police Chief Jim Layne (who was not present at the meeting) and the council approved his appointment.
Park Superintendent Chad Jonsson shared upcoming parks programs, including this weekend’s winter carnival. The park department is co-hosting the event with Lakeland Youth Center, Wawasee Kiwanis and Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce. He shared there will be a soup supper held Friday night, hosted by the Kiwanis, with a cost of $6 per person.
On Saturday, there will be indoor family activities including clowns, games, princess meet and greet, hot cocoa bar and more at Oakwood Event Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be a polar plunge at the Pier and Back Pier at Oakwood at noon, and a sled dog demonstration at 1 p.m. at the Oakwood ball field.
The ice fishing tournament that was to be a part of the event has been rescheduled until Feb. 22.
On March 5, there will be indoor garage sale, and on March 21 there will be a princess tea – there are a few spots open for each event.
In other business:
• Council President Paul Stoelting named Larry Siegel as the vice president this year.
• The council approved forwarding encumbered purchase orders totaling $922,420.27.
• The council heard from Fire Chief Mickey Scott there were 121 more runs than in 2018.
• Council member Larry Martindale gave an updated report on the day care committee’s work, stating that there’s a donor for a second location for Little Lambs Day Care but there are plumbing issues at that location that could take a long time to resolve so they are still pursuing options.
