Chad Jonsson, left, and Jeff Nicodemus take care of some end-of-the-year business at the Monday night, Dec. 11 meeting of Syracuse Park Board. InkFreeNews photo by Phoebe Muthart.

By Phoebe Muthart
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE — The Syracuse Park Board took care of some of its end-of-the-year business at its meeting Monday, Dec. 11.

The funding for the Syracuse Community Center’s new roof was approved by Syracuse Town Council. The cost of the roof is just over $115,000. The new metal roof will be installed in late March or early April, said Chad Jonsson, park superintendent.

The board approved the work to be done by Premier Roofing, Nappanee.

Jonsson said he is working on the facilities report. This includes carpet cleaning, vehicle maintenance and other park projects. He said he is finishing the list of ongoing projects and will have the list done “hopefully by the January meeting.”

Jonsson showed the proof of the new rules sign for Lakeside Park.

In his tree board report, Jonsson said he has applied for the Tree City USA designation. The application is due Dec. 31.

Tree plantings and removals have been done. Jonsson said he was happy with the tree company and its work.

The Henry Ward pavilion and restroom project is nearly complete and the power is on, he said.

The new playground equipment will be installed around May 1, 2024. The deadline to get the old playground equipment out is Sunday, Dec. 31. One of the old playground sets has been picked up with one remaining.

Daren Lursen, program director, gave the program report. He reported that 200 bags of candy were handed out at Breakfast with Santa earlier this month. Over 400 plates of food were served, which is a 25% increase from last year, said Lursen.

Yoga has ended for the year but will restart in January on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at SCC.

The next euchre tournament is at 6 p.m. this Friday. There are 32 people signed up, he said.

The basketball league is full. The first games start Sunday, Jan. 7.

Registration for the indoor garage sale begins Wednesday, Jan. 10. The sale is open to the first 31 people who sign up. The sale will be Saturday, March 2.

A princess party will be Saturday, Feb. 24.

Jonsson gave the financial report from Nov. 13 to Dec. 11, and November’s financial report.

The board approved the park department’s 2024 non-reverting operating budget, which is $39,500. The budget is funds that are controlled by the park board and come from fees from various activities.

“It is non-tax dollars,” said Jonsson. “The board sets the budget for the year. We budget what we think we will spend next year.”

He said there is money left over for some park projects for next year.

The budget will now be sent to the clerk-treasurer’s office.

In other news, the board:

• Set the 2024 meeting dates for 5:30 p.m. the second Monday of each month.

• Recommended Janelle Lehman of Syracuse to serve on the board. She replaces Mary Hursh, whose term is expiring at the end of this year.

• Set the park rental fee at $60 a day for Ward Park, which is the same fee for the other parks; the previous fee was $35 a day.

The next meeting is at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 8, at SCC.