Syracuse Town Council Approves New Riverfront Dstrict
SYRACUSE — Syracuse Town Council approved establishing a new riverfront district during its regular monthly meeting Tuesday night, Nov. 15. The new riverfront district is located in the village area near Monteith Tire.
Councilman Tom Hoover asked how the riverfront district would benefit the town. Town Manager Henry DeJulia explained it would allow a local business to pursue a liquor license. Councilman Bill Musser asked what body of water the district was near. DeJulia said Turkey Creek.
Musser then asked who was the final authority in establishing the district. DeJulia said the town, not the state is the final authority.
Council president Larry Siegel explained in the next legislative session there will be discussion on expanding riverfront districts. DeJulia pointed out there are benefits to having similar districts such as lakefront districts.
Chris Cotton, representing the town’s insurance agency, came before the council to see if there were any questions about the town’s insurance coverage. He told the council at this point renewing with PHP would be the town’s best option, however he decided to shop around and is still waiting for rates to come back. He explained partial self-funded insurance plans, similar to the town’s, have become very popular due to the Affordable Care Act. “PHP has been great to us, very good to the community,” Cotton told the council.
The council also approved an appropriation of $2,996 from the police department’s general fund to the department’s new equipment fund. The amount is a refund the department received after a recall on faulty electronic rifle sights.
The council also approved salaries and compensation for 2017.
The council also approved an ordinance relating to the issuance of waterworks refunding revenue bonds. A town budget account was also approved for receiving and issuing waterworks refunding revenue bonds to refinance the 2004 series refunding revenue bonds and a separate fund is needed to deposit the 2004 bond proceeds and to make disbursements to pay for the 2016 bonds.
In department reports, DeJulia told the council work at the town hall is done. Eight to nine decorative lights will be installed. He also requested input for a possible logo for the comprehensive plan.
Police Chief Jim Layne requested permission to renew the terminal services data agreement with the county for $5,000. The council approved the expenditure. Layne also noted there are three speed signs around Syracuse. The signs record data such as how many vehicles pass by each hour. Chad Jonsson, superintendent of parks, reported
The Thrill at Crosson Mill was very successful last month. Breakfast with Santa will be 8 to 11 a.m. Dec. 3 at the community center. The park department is still looking for someone to play Santa.
Holiday Magic is 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, at Lakeland Youth Center. The fun then moves from 4 to 7 p.m. to Crosson Mill Park where there will be choirs, Santa’s arrival and the town Christmas tree lit.
T
he council rejected a request from a tower company to put a fiber optics tower behind AIA. The area where the company wants to put the tower is in a utility right of way. It was noted the tower would be a straight pole like structure 120 feet in elevation.
After discussion, DeJulia and the council decided they were not in favor of the project.