Syracuse residents can place piers at the ends of town streets but only after obtaining permits from the town park department. The current pier ordinance was tweaked at the town council meeting Tuesday night with the insertion of an enforcement policy previously missing. The ordinance requires residents to apply for the $100 permit, meet pier size specifications and show proof of insurance. If the park department finds someone in violation of the ordinance, that information will be transferred to the police who can now enforce the law. A public hearing on the Americans with Disabilities Act was conducted with no public comment. The council approved the town’s plan regarding federal compliance with handicap accessibility. Although the town has been acting in compliance with the regulations for years, particularly in the construction of sidewalks and parking, there was no written policy until now. The council approved extensions of tax abatements for JP Inc. and Syracuse Properties LLC, owner of the former Dana building. More applications are expected by the May 16 deadline, but because these two were presented and found to be in compliance, the council granted the requests. Not much work has re-started at the new industrial project, but presentation of the final plat for approval has been moved up. Project engineer Ken Jones reported some interest, and said that he would soon be presenting the final plat to the county agency. Completion is expected mid to late June. H&G Underground has begun restoration of the dug-up area along Ind. 13, and the AT&T fiber optic casing has been completed. Northern Indiana Public Service Co. cannot finalize the gas and electric installations until Cripe Excavating finishes the roads, but that won’t happen until things dry out more. The council accepted a $30,000 grant from K21 for a pedestrian bridge across the Lake Wawasee channel at Harkless Drive near Pickwick Road, part of the trails system. Public event dates were announced: Youth Safety Day at the Community Center will be Saturday. The farmers’ market at Crosson Park will begin May 11 and continue until October. May 17-18 are marked for Cruisin’ ‘Cuse, and antique and collectors’ car show, and dedication of the new sports complex will take place May 4 at 2 p.m.
