Stephen Snyder, representing James and Karen Tranter of Treco LLC, approached the Syracuse Town Council during the regular meeting Tuesday night in regards to vacating an alleyway from the right of way of Harrison Street to the right of way of SR 13, near the north edge the Syracuse Post Office. The requested area is 8 feet wide.

Treco LLC plans to add additional storage to the south of an existing building and wishes to vacate the alley so they won’t have to worry about setbacks during the process. Snyder stated they would be going before the county board of zoning appeals Thursday to get approval to build the new storage building.

He also addressed the area’s drainage problems, particularly in the Harrison Court area, and stated they would submit a drainage plan to the county technical plan committee if required. Snyder stated their current plan should actually reduce drainage issues in the area with the building replacing a significant amount of asphalt.

Plans also exist, according to Snyder, to send drainage north to an existing catch basin or to use land south of the building or between the new and existing buildings to catch surface water by building a basin.

Council members experienced reluctance with president Bill Musser stating, they never like to give away easements, which have been difficult at times for the town to procure. Drainage continued to be a concern, in addition to potential future use of the area should more development occur on the north side of town.

A decision was reached to continue the matter at the public hearing in March. It was also decided the town needs to put together a comprehensive plan to handle development and drainage in the future.

Ken Jones of Jones Petrie Rafinsky appraised the council on an additional $11,000 AT&T is asking for to place a steel encasement around a fiber optic cable to protect it in the industrial park. The town had previously paid $6,000 to AT&T. Jones stated the expense is grant eligible.

AT&T would have to complete process before the roads can be developed in the industrial complex, which would delay the project. Along with the additional cost, AT&T required a contract be signed.

The council voted to have Syracuse Town Manager Henry DeJulia sign a check immediately, Musser sign the required contract with AT&T and for a completion date of March 15 to be given to AT&T.

Also on the subject of the industrial park, DeJulia stated the original NIPSCO estimate of $110,000 for construction costs would be much lower at around $70,000. However, for construction to begin, the council needed to sign a contract with NIPSCO and write the check.

Angie Nelson and Chris Pieri, NIPSCO representatives, were present at the meeting to answer the council’s questions, but they were unable to provide a firm completion date for construction of the gas and electric lines, which will be joint trenched. Nelson stated they first needed to get the town in the queue, which required the signed contract.

Council members voted to approve the work orders, for both gas and electric, and a payment to Nipsco.

Next town council meeting is March 19 at Syracuse Town Hall.

For a more in-depth of report of the Syracuse Town Council meeting, see today’s edition of The Mail-Journal.