Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
SYRACUSE - After much debate and revision, the Syracuse Town Council adopted an ordinance intended to prevent animal and parking nuisances.
Ordinance 05-20 amends the town code, prohibiting "wild and farm animals" from town limits; it also prohibits vehicle nuisances such as tractor-trailer traffic on public streets and parking in grassy yard areas.
Wild animals are said to be untamable and uncontrollable by normal means; farm animals are defined as "any animal that customarily is raised on farms and has the potential of causing a nuisance if not properly maintained."
Discussion regarding the ordinance's "enforceability" arose when in the first draft one category of prohibited animals was referred to as "exotic." How to classify animals as "exotic" and when to enforce the rule were issues of debate. For instance, would a pet parrot or parakeet be disallowed because of the ordinance, Paul Stoelting questioned.
Discussion was quieted when town clerk Julie Kline looked up the town's existing code and careful reading discovered provisions already prohibiting snakes, turtles, alligators and other untamable animals, satisfying the board to accept the new ordinance reading without "exotic" listed.
Parking nuisances prohibited in the ordinance are motorized and unmotorized vehicles parked on public ways for more than 48 hours per week; recreational vehicles used as residences unless in a designated RV park; tractor-trailers parking on public roads and vehicles parked in front yards.
Permissible parking spots are described as those made of "a hard surface of either concrete, asphalt, brick or gravel materials."
Town manager Jeff Noffsinger noted that the ordinance is intended to dissuade permanent parking in front lawns, though there could be short-term circumstances, such as one-day get-togethers, requiring such parking.
Two other ordinances, one amending the town's employee handbook and another allowing funds transfers also were approved.
The handbook change allows police officers living outside town limits, but within the residency requirements, to use a take-home vehicle. All take-home vehicles are now limited to "town affairs" only.
Money from the health insurance and office supplies funds will be transferred to other accounts. Paving will receive $6,000 previously designated for insurance and the new equipment account will receive $175 from office supplies to pay for part of the cost of a new computer.
In other business:
• Noffsinger reported that plans for the water project are running ahead of schedule but the final cost estimate still has not been received. Noffsinger also said CSX, the company that owns the railroad, asked for a one-time fee of $4,750 to run a water conduit under the tracks. The fee will cover liability insurance and a license.
• The board approved a rate increase for the town's ambulance service. The cost of all ambulance runs will increase $100 and the service will increase mileage rates from $5/mile to $10/mile.
Mickey Scott said the increases are to compensate for increased gas prices and that Syracuse still has the least expensive ambulance service in the surrounding area. Mileage rates are for "loaded mileage" only; the service does not charge for the vehicle's return trip after a hospital drop-off.
• County Sheriff Aaron Rovenstine presented Syracuse Town Marshall Tony Ciriello with a plaque, honoring him for 10 years of service to the county.
• Ciriello announced the high school's homecoming parade is Oct. 7 at 5:45 p.m. The parade will go down Main Street, from the community building to the high school and is expected to last less than 30 minutes.
Ciriello also announced trick-or-treat is Oct. 31, from 6 to 8 p.m. This year's festivities are held in conjunction with neighboring towns North Webster and Milford
Complaints about parking at Syracuse Elementary School were addressed by Ciriello. Councilman Bill Musser said he had received complaints of parents using handicap spaces to park while they waited for their children and others parking in the firelanes, leaving their cars unattended while they went inside the school.
Ciriello said the police department will deal with the problem by patrolling the parking lot a few days a week, alerting parents to the parking rules. Tickets already have been issued to those parking in handicapped designated spaces.
• Council member Larry Siegel asked the board to consider making the town more "kid-friendly" by reviewing existing policies regarding skateboards. Right now, skateboards are not allowed on town property. As Ciriello pointed out, that makes them illegal even in the new skatepark.
Expanding on Siegels' request, the board also will review ordinances prohibiting bicycles from sidewalks. As Cassie Cowan pointed out, as of now cyclists are forced to ride on roads and highways so small children can't safely ride at all.
Siegel also asked the board to consider revisiting a town ordinance against alcohol in the town parks and putting jurisdiction over the matter into the park department's hands. The town may benefit from allowing alcohol on a limited basis at special events such as wedding receptions held in town buildings by generating increased interest in building rental.
Syracuse Town Council members are Paul Stoelting, Brian Woody, Cassie Cowan, Bill Musser and Larry Siegel.
