By Lauren Zeugner
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE —  The Syracuse Town Council took on a packed agenda with two members, Paul Stoelting and Larry Siegel absent, during its regular monthly meeting Tuesday night, Dec. 19. This was the council’s last meeting of 2023.

The council approved and signed a corporate deed transferring the Dolan Street property to the Syracuse -Turkey Creek Township Public Library. Town Attorney Jay Rigdon explained the deed provides protection in the long term to the town and to the library in the short term.

Councilman Bill Musser asked who would be responsible for work being done on the property. Rigdon explained once the property transfer takes place, the library will be responsible for costs. The property is officially transferred when the deed is signed sealed and delivered.

After lengthy discussion, the council voted to deny a request from Doug and Jeannine Schrock to vacate an alley behind two lots they recently purchased. Attorney Steve Snyder informed the council of Indiana code regarding vacating a right of way.

The state code provides four reasons a right of way cannot be vacated: hindering the neighborhood, making access to anyone else’s property difficult or inconvenient, hinders access to public spaces, such as schools or churches, or hinders use of the neighborhood. Snyder told the council none of these reasons are present and requested council approve vacating the alley.

“It’s long been the town’s unwritten policy not to vacate alleys or town property, and I don’t think we should start,” said Musser.

Rigdon noted with only three council members, a vote on the matter would require a vote of the majority of the full council. Council President Cindy Kaiser said, “I was leaning toward we haven’t given up any town property. I’m leaning toward not voting for the vacation.”

Snyder informed the board if the Schrocks don’t receive the vacation, it was their intent to pave the entirety of the alleyway as their driveway and Phend and Brown has already provided quotes for the work.

Musser asked if the alleyway was paved would the town be required to maintain it. Mark Aurich, public works superintendent, said no, but a storm sewer may have to be put in so the Schrocks driveway would not cause drainage issues for their neighbors. The Schrocks would have to pay for the installation of the storm sewer as well.

Corey Mast remonstrated saying the request does affect him as the alleyway has been used as yard since 1970 and most of the neighbors maintain it. Mast told the council he spoke with NIPSCO officials, who stated they will not approve giving up any part of the easement.

After more discussion, Musser called for a vote, moving to deny the request. The motion to deny passed 3 to 0.

Terry Sweeney, project director for KEDCO, made a request for the town to contribute to an impact study of the South Shore Village project. The cost of the survey, approximately $40,000 would be split between South Shore Village, the Kosciusko County Commissioners and the town of Syracuse. The matter was tabled until the full council could vote on the matter.

State Representative David Abbott was in attendance and stated he would be working on legislation that would be supportive of the bill.

After some discussion, the council chose to take no action regarding moving the town pier. A neighbor requested the pier be moved as it interfered with his pier; however redesigning and moving the pier could cost in excess of $3,000.

Jeremy Hardy from Commonwealth Engineering requested the town approve spending $40,000 on engineering for sewer work on Kern Road. Nine residents on Kern Road have failing septic systems so now is the time to offer them sewer service. The $40,000 will pay for everything from engineering and design of the project to setting it for bid.

The council approved the following:

• Resolution 2023-04 authorizing the transfer of funds.

• The employee salary and compensation ordinance.

• A letter of engagement with London Witte Group regarding the annexation fiscal plan for the North Trace RV Park.

The council approved the following town appointments for 2024:

• Jay Rigdon as town attorney.

• Jim Layne as police chief.

• Nathan Scherer, Layne, Cory Mast, Jeff Goralczyk and David Rosenberry to the Syracuse Redevelopment Commission.

• Scherer, Kaiser, Corky Wong and Andrew Grossnickle to the Turkey Creek Fire Territory Board.

•Chad Jonsson, park superintendent, and David Wilkinson, town manager, to the Syracuse Tree Board.

• Paul Newcomer and Jenell Lehman to the Syracuse Park Board.

The council elected Scherer to be council president in 2024.

In the department reports, Wilkinson requested approval of $51,705 to A & Z Engineering for a study on the municipal parking lot on Pearl Street. The plan is to bid the project in February or March. The council approved the request.

Layne announced Officer Sarah Pritchard completed the Indiana Police Academy Friday, Dec. 15 and will be returning to duty soon.

In the public works report, Musser asked Aurich to send the council more information regarding the lead pipe situation. Aurich said the EPA and IDEM requirements are ever evolving.

He told the council there are a lot of unknowns regarding sewer lines under the road. They are being inspected by drilling holes into the road to see if there is lead pipe.

Aurich said the town is about a year ahead on the project. In addition to looking for lead pipe, the water department has found undersized water mains and fire suppression systems that need to be addressed.

On the waste water side, the Oakwood Lift Station project is expected to be completed by Tuesday, Jan. 2. The booster station controls are in and working better than expected.

The council approved a request by the Turkey Creek Fire Territory to spend $22,8680 for ballistic vests for the firefighters.