Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
SYRACUESE - Forty years ago, the Town of Syracuse accepted a deed to wooded acres from the Syracuse-Wawasee Rotary Club. Last night they gave it back. The area is known as "Scout Woods."
The tract, located north of CR 1000N on CR 800E, was bought by Rotary for use by the Scouts. Neither group is allowed to own property. Recently the Rotary organized The Syracuse-Wawasee Rotary Charitable Foundation, which is a nonprofit corporation that can own property.
Speaking on behalf of this group, David Cates petitioned the town to return the property so Rotary can add a few modern conveniences, but otherwise leave the woods alone for scouting activities.
The town council agreed to return the parcel of land to Rotary so long as the property is used in perpetuity for scouting or similar charitable purposes. Under the agreement, if the foundation is liquidated or changed, the land can be deeded to another nonprofit organization for the same purpose.
The Syracuse Lions Club asked the board to consider paving Chicago and Harkless streets from Turtle Bay to Huntington Street. The club is helping a 38-year-old blind resident obtain a leader dog. The resident explained how difficult it is to walk from his home to businesses in town because there are no sidewalks.
Town manager Brian Redshaw said in the past town policy has been to replace broken sidewalks, but since the request involves a totally new sidewalk, he believed the matter needs council attention. Kent Thielka, public works superintendent, noted that the job could get costly since many trees have to be removed, curbs would be needed as well as sidewalks and the right of way may need to be purchased.
Council member Paul Stoelting said he thought it was a good idea provided that money can be found and that he needed at least a cost estimate to make a value judgment.
In his report to the council, Redshaw announced that the town now has 3,038 resident, up 11 percent, according to the 2000 census.
Although the council agreed to spend a few bucks at last night's meeting, police chief Tom Perzanowski did not get a green light for one of his projects.
Perzanowski asked the board for guidance. "I need to know if you can afford $50,000 or $60,000 before I apply for a $250,000 KOPS grant because it requires 25 percent matching funds from the town." The grant would be used strictly for technology, including laptop computers and software allowing officers to research data and file reports from their vehicles.
After deliberation and number crunching, it was determined that the town has less than $350,000, all earmarked for the Ind. 13 widening project or emergencies, and it cannot afford the funds to upgrade the police department. The town receives only $26,500 annually in gasoline and cigarette tax money, making it at least a two-year savings project if all that money was allocated for the police technology based on this particular grant.
Council member Michael Davis said he believes it is a good idea, but the expenditure would "really strap us."
Perzanowski said Elkhart County implemented the technology five years ago, and Kosciusko County and Warsaw police already have laptops in their cars.
Council president Barb Carwile told the chief she appreciates the work he has done on the project, but "we have to hold off for now."
The council did agree to buy five new handguns and one left-handed holster for the department, and it approved a $1,500 expenditure for certification of the police dog and its handler. It also agreed to allow the chief to spend nearly $1,800 of the budgeted clothing allowance money, saving 25 percent to 50 percent by buying in quantity.
In addition, the council agreed to allow fire chief Larry Hunter to spend more than $7,900 on fire gear for volunteers and full-time firemen. Hunter said he also needs an equipment washer, but will wait to request funding for it.
The council also agreed to allow the Public Works department to spend more than $12,000 for dump truck tires, water meters and repair of an aerator at the wastewater treatment facility. And it agreed to a $5,000 expenditure for spring tree planting, requested by Michael Hixenbaugh of the Parks Department.
Thielka said that his department received more than $40 in snow emergency money, and that spring cleanup would be May 14-18, with heavy trash pickup to be determined when he finds out when the college students get home.
He said his crew's sidewalk replacement list is getting short and urged property owners to call town hall if they need new sidewalks. The town pays for the labor and the property owner pays for the concrete. The town will measure and give the property owner an estimate.
Hixenbaugh asked the board to reappoint Ginny Lambright for another four-year term, which they did. He reported that the low bids for the community center came in at $1.4 million, just under the $1.5 million estimated cost. So far $1.1 million has been raised. He also explained that renovation of the Scout Cabin would cost at least $150,500, according to a written estimate by T.L. Jackson Construction Co.
For the second time the council postponed a vote on a new parking ordinance because of a protest launched by one property owner in the downtown area. He owns a building with apartments, and the town lots are the only place his tenants can park. If cars have to be moved between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m. daily, it will make it nearly impossible for them to use the public parking area thus making it more difficult for him to rent the apartments, which means he won't be able to maintain his building.
Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Steven Hite displayed heavy canvas banners that the chamber will sell for display on the utility poles in the village. The council gave the go-ahead, saying, "anything to beautify that area."
In February, the Syracuse Police Department issued 55 traffic tickets, 56 warning tickets and seven parking tickets. Three were arrested for drunk driving. In addition, there were 14 accidents. The police also answered 215 alarms and made 55 courtesy calls. The fire department made 16 fire runs and 45 EMS runs. Fire loss was set at $150.
