Chris Fancil and Jessica Camerena show off a poster that will also be a billboard in Kosciusko County honoring first responders. All first responders will also be receiving a discount card. Businesses participating in the campaign by offering discounts or gifts can be found at livewellkosciusko.org/kcounty-first. The campaign is a Kosciusko Leadership Academy project. Photo by Lauren Zeugner.

By Lauren Zeugner
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE — Chris Fancil and Jessica Camarena made a brief presentation about the K-County First program to the Syracuse Town Council during its regular meeting Tuesday night, Dec. 20.

The K-County First Program is a Kosciusko Leadership Academy project to support and honor Kosciusko County’s first responders. Area first responders will receive a card that can be used at participating organizations in the community for discounts and gifts.

The appreciation campaign includes artwork created by local students that will be displayed on billboards throughout the county. Posters featuring the students’ artwork will also be displayed at area police and fire stations.

The QR code on each poster will take visitors to livewellkosciusko.org/kcounty-first, where residents can post videos thanking first responders. First responders will also find a list of participating merchants who are offering discounts and gifts through the discount card.

Jay Rigdon, town attorney, had his contract renewed separately from other appointees. He noted he sent out an updated legal services agreement, since the town hadn’t signed one since 2013. After some discussion regarding some amendments, the contract was approved.

The council approved the following board appointments:

Police Chief, Jim Layne; Syracuse Board of Zoning Appeals, Randy Cox, Cory Mast, Scott Abbs and Brandon Wolferman; Kosciusko Area Planning Commission, Matt Goodnight; Syracuse Redevelopment Commission, Larry Siegel, Jim Layne, Cory Mast, Jeff Goralczyk and David Rosenberry.

Turkey Creek Fire Territory Board, Larry Martindale, Cindy Kaiser, Corky Wong and Andrew Grossnickle; Syracuse Tree Board, Mark Aurich, Elizabeth Goralczyk and Rex Smalley; Syracuse Park Board, Jeff Nicodemus.

The council thanked all those appointed to the various boards for volunteering their time and welcomed the new board members.

Jeremy Hardy of Commonwealth Engineering, the town’s engineering firm, reported he received two bids for the Oakwood Lift Station, the Lakeside Water Loop and wastewater plant work. He reminded the board, in an effort to save money, several smaller projects have been bid out together as one package.

Two companies submitted bids. Members of the council recommended Mark Aurich, public works superintendent; and David Wilkinson, town manager; and a member of the wastewater treatment plant review the bids and make their recommendations at the January council meeting.

In department reports, Wilkinson told the council the Syracuse Public Library is very interested in the property at Dolan and Main streets. The library director and architect would like to make a presentation to the council at the January meeting.

There was a discussion regarding bonds for a proposed sewer project for Kern Road. After reviewing a proposed resolution regarding how the bonds would be paid, the council decided the wording needed to be more specific and tabled the matter to January.

Wilkinson disclosed his wife is now working for Kosciusko Economic Development Corp.

Chad Jonsson, park superintendent, reported there are just a few minor things to be done at the ballpark, but the kids should be able to play there in the spring.

Aurich reported his staff is geared up for the storm expected this weekend. He will be in town Thursday and Friday nights. The fire department will have a plow truck at its beck and call at the fire station.

Aurich recommended residents who have had problems in the past with pipes freezing have at least one faucet dripping, with drips at least a second or two apart. Also, cabinet doors should be opened to allow warm air to get to the pipes.

Aurich noted a drip 1-2 seconds apart should not have an adverse affect on water bills. However, those residents who may be concerned should contact Virginia Cazier, clerk-treasurer, before they allow their faucet to drip, so if something does show up on their bill later, it can be addressed.

Aurich cautioned any adjustments will be made for only those customers who contacted Cazier ahead of time. He noted allowing a faucet to drip 1-2 seconds is about 1700 gallons, approximately $15, so allowing it to drip for four days should be negligible. “Better to be safe than have split pipes,” he said.

Cindy Kaiser was elected council president for 2023.

The next Syracuse Town Council meeting will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17, in the council chambers of the Syracuse Town Hall