The Syracuse Town Council received a positive update from Ken Jones of Jones Petrie Rafinski, the town’s engineering firm, regarding the industrial park project at SR 13 and U.S. 6 during the council’s regular monthly meeting.

Jones told the council the “project is going fantastic.” With the contractors having fulfilled every aspect of their contract. Cripe Excavating has shut down for the winter while H & G Underground Utilities is still on site, “busting through the contract.”

Discussion turned to a question the council had last month regarding road side swales filling with water during extremely heavy rain. Jones explained the concept for the drainage is for the swales to have check bands or stair steps which will provide capacity and prevent water from going down the hill.

However, Jones noted the road grading isn’t anywhere near completed at the project. He did recommend providing an outlet where water can evacuate to by digging down a little deeper into the swale, setting in a culvert and tipping it to the north. Cost of doing this will be $5,175 for parts, labor, extra grading and ripwrap.

The change order would still have to be approved by the Economic Development Administration which is handling the grant. Jones said getting the approval shouldn’t affect the deadline. The board approved the change order for $5,175.

In the town department reports, town manager Henry DeJulia reported the Economic Development Initiative grant will pay the $6,000 to AT&T for moving wiring at the industrial park. He is also working with NIPSCO on the industrial project. That work will be paid through the EDI grant as well.

The town received $4,000 from the Harkless Foundation for beautification.

Syracuse Town Marshal Tony Ciriello gave the council some year-end stats. In the department’s annual report, there were just over 4,000 calls for service, which averaged out to 10 per day. A 5-year comparison report will be prepared for the February meeting.

Area third graders will be attending the Shrine Circus in Fort Wayne on Friday. Ciriello said 1,500 students, teachers and chaperones will be attending from the Lakeland area.

Jeremy Sponseller, public works superintendent, reported the street department was “doing normal winter type things except snow removal.” He requested permission to spend $6,900 on a small liftable camera unit to be used to inspect sewer pipes. The council approved the purchase.

Julie Kline, clerk-treasurer, announced all department budgets were approved and the town came in $1,718 under maximum levy.

Kline also provided the council with outstanding encumbrances from 2012. Total cost in encumbrances is $2,135,979.63, most of which is for the industrial park project. Council approved the encumbrances.

In discussion from the floor, Syracuse resident Sharon Fowler stated she believed Hal Hansborough, town building inspector, should be back on code enforcement.
“Code enforcement needs to be enforced,” she said. “Tonight across the street, someone was burning. Called, no one can come. I think Mr. Hansborough needs to be brought back in here. We can spend $450,000 for a fire house top and $150,000 for a black fire truck.”

She also insisted he was a department head and should be attending council meetings and giving reports. Council members told her Hansborough was not and never was a department head, but a direct employee of the town manager.

(For a more in-depth reporting of the Syracuse Town Council meeting, see today’s issue of The Mail-Journal.)