SYRACUSE - Syracuse Town Council used the September meeting to conduct the public hearing for the town's 2009 proposed budget, and also heard an abatement request and an update on Community Development Block Grant applications.
Last month the council presented the first reading of the 2009 budget, and no changes or objections were made. Total budget for 2009 is $2,692,477, with $1,448,356 estimated funds to be raised. It also was noted that this budget is $626,498 less than 2008.
Having passed first reading, the budget had been submitted to the county council for approval. With no further objections made during second reading, council approved the 2009 budget. It will be submitted to the county auditor.
The council conducted a public hearing on a declaratory resolution designating an economic revitalization area. Attorney Steve Snyder, representing Syracuse Building LLC, requested an abatement in regard to the old Dana facility.
Syracuse Building has a lease agreement on the property, and have three prospective tennants who want to locate businesses there.
"Just for your information," Snyder said, "in 2001, the Dana building had an assessed value of $4,771,000. The last assessed value was $1,700,000. This reflects its stature. That's probably an understatement.
"Syracuse Building LLC is currently leasing the premises from Dana Corporation. That lease remains in affect until Dana's remedial plan for correcting environmental defects is approved by the Department of Environmental Management. There are environmental problems and hazardous waste on the site. There is a plan in process right now. ... Dana has the obligation to clean the property. This lease arrangement will ultimately result in the purchase of the site."
The three businesses that have expressed interest in moving to the property are Better Way Products, Jasper Plastics Inc., and AIA Countertops.
Better Way is headquartered in New Paris, and will use the Dana facility as an expansion site.
Jasper Plastics is wanting to expand as well, and AIA Countertops has outgrown its current space in Warsaw.
Among the three businesses, 165 new jobs could eventually be brought to Syracuse, with an estimated total annual payroll of $4.5 million.
Snyder's request for abatement included $1,044,000 on real estate, and $507,200 on personal property, more than 10 years. This is primarily because of the cost of getting the Dana building into a usable condition.
According to Snyder, roof work alone will run $875,000; $70,000 has been spent so far on the electrical system; $49,000 to remodel office space; $25,000 in concrete floor repair; plumbing and sewage repairs of $10,000, and estimated $15,000 to bring the site into compliance with fire codes.
The council approved the declaratory resolution, which now puts the issue of tax abatement for Syracuse Building LLC before a public hearing, at next month's meeting.
Pam Kennedy, of Housing Opportunities of Warsaw, presented the council with an update regarding Community Development Block Grant applications.
According to Kennedy, 34 families have made application. Of that number, 10 didn't follow through; one is in a flood zone; three are outside town limits; two have been done on the Kosciusko HP program due to eligibility requirements; four have completed home rehab; two are ready to be worked on; and six have been placed in the Syracuse III program.
To fulfill each grant, five homes are to be completed. Within each grant process, one family's area median family income must fall within 60 to 80 percent of the local poverty level; one at 50 to 60 percent AMI; one at 40 to 50 percent AMI; and one at or below 30 percent AMI.
The council approved two separate grant applications; one for a family at the 40 percent AMI level and one at the 60 percent level.
Kennedy said that for the grant process to be completed, Syracuse needs to find applicant families who are at the 30 percent level, or below.
To qualify, a single person household must make no more than $12,600; two-person household, $14,400; three-person, $16,150; four-person, $17,950; five-person, $19,400; six-person, $20,850; seven-person, $22,300; or eight-person, $23,700.
A temporary transfer of town funds was approved by the council. In essence, $50,000 was transferred from the Economic Development Income Tax Fund to the Park Fund, and $100,000 from EDIT Fund was also transferred to the Street Fund.
Syracuse Town Marshal Tony Ciriello announced that due to the Creative Fish Art Festival being held this weekend, the intersections of Main and Harrison, Main and Ind. 13, and Huntington Street to the west side of Lake will be closed. More than 60 vendors are expected to participate.
Ciriello also said that the department will host the district chief's meeting at the community center.
Council accepted bids for the following street work: Palm Drive 1 and Palm Drive 2, and Acorn from Boston Street to the school. The contract for this work was awarded to Phend and Brown, with total cost not to exceed $75,000.
According to Jeremy Sponseller, Syracuse Public Works Department, further work also could be done on the alley behind Bale Butcher Shop if funds permit. Work on Medusa Court and Maple Grove will begin in the spring, after the new budget cycle starts.
In other business:
n Syracuse Parks department anounced the following activities: Third Annual Yard Sale, Oct. 18; the Haunted House will be open Oct. 24-25, and Oct. 27-30. The annual Halloween Carnival is scheduled for Nov. 1.
n The Syracuse Town Clerk's Office will be closed Oct. 9.
n The council approved a change in the wording of the salary and benefits ordinance. Town employees can now contribute "up to" 3 percent and still receive the matching contribution. This wording eliminates the set amount needed to obtain the match.
n The council approved payment of claims for September 2008 in the sum of $700,032.44.
Syracuse Town Council members are Brian Woody, Bill Musser, Cassie Cowan, Larry Siegel and Paul Stoelting
