Syracuse Town Manager Henry DeJulia, left, presented Police Chief Tony Ciriello with a plaque of appreciation during Tuesday night’s town council meeting. Ciriello is retiring after serving the town for 10 years.

SYRACUSE — It was a bittersweet moment during the Syracuse Town Council’s regular monthly meeting Tuesday night, Sept. 15. Syracuse Police Chief Tony Ciriello gave his last report to the council as he retires next month.

He thanked the town board and the community for the last 10 years. “It’s been my pleasure to serve here,” he said. “You’ve done a tremendous job,” said Council President Paul Stoelting. Councilman Larry Siegel echoed those sentiments saying Ciriello had made a big difference in the department.

Ciriello will not be leaving the community. He hopes to be elected county coroner and plans to take a job as a business manager for a friend’s company.

The council also approved promoting Sgt. Jim Layne to police chief with his contract to be determined.

Town Manager Henry DeJulia presented Ciriello with a plaque highlighting the town’s appreciation for his service to the community.

During his report, Ciriello did inform the council the reserve officer who was electrically shocked during Labor Day weekend is still in the hospital. Ciriello said he is OK, but still critical. Things look positive as to the officer’s recovery. The department is in contact with the officer’s wife and looks forward to him recovering and returning to the department as a reserve officer.

The council also had first reading of the 2016 budget. The total amount is approximately $3,325,851 with a levy of $1,769,000. Siegel asked if the levy is under the maximum amount. It is by about $140,000.

In department reports, DeJulia said he is working on quotes for installing decorative lights from County Line Road southward toward town. He is also seeking a quote for work on the lift station for Oakwood, The town approved DeJulia being allowed to spend up to $45,000 on the work.

DeJulia is also in discussions regarding how to use Syracuse Elementary School in the future, after the new school is built. Plans for a new salt barn have been pushed back to 2016.

Chad Jonsson, park superintendent, reported the parks department is offering canoeing Tuesday nights, Harvest Fest will be Oct. 10 and Lakeland Youth Center will hold its annual fall carnival Oct. 30. The Haunted Thrill will be 7:30 to 10 p.m. Oct. 23-24, 30-31. And the pavilion in Lakeside Park is complete.

Robin Merchant, public works superintendent, gave a lengthy report. In the water department he is working on changing out water meters. The water department is more than halfway done changing out the meters. On the street department side, 750 feet of new sidewalk has been poured and 21 crosswalks have been painted and 11 crosswalks have been repainted.

On the wastewater side, the council approved a change order for $25,000 for the wastewater treatment plant renovation. A plan also developed as to what to do with sludge when the old sludge press and the new one is installed since there will be 60 to 90 days between when the old one is pulled and the new one installed.

In discussion from the floor, Becky Fox, president of Syracuse Lake Association, came before the council representing a group of residents interested in creating a quiet zone regarding the railroad crossings. The committee would like the council’s support to further research the options available in creating a quiet zone.

George Krabbe, another member of the committee, outlined some of the work that needs to be done to see if a quiet zone could be established.

During Tuesday night’s Syracuse Town Council meeting Chief Tony Ciriello, right, recommended Sgt. Jim Layne be promoted to chief when Ciriello retires next month. The council approved the recommendation.