Syracuse Town Council Holds First Budget Hearing
SYRACUSE — The Syracuse Town Council held a public hearing regarding the 2020 budget at the start of its meeting Tuesday night, Sept. 17. There were no comments from the public. The 2020 budget, if adopted at the October council meeting will be for $4,173,220.
The council approved spending $12,350 to install a seawall at the town pier located on East Main Street. Ousley Seawall provided the winning bid.
Mike Noe, town manager, reported Virginia Cazier of the public works department has been working on grant writing. She recently wrote a railroad signage grant in which $5,500 was awarded to the town. The town also applied for a $5,000 Harkless Foundation grant for beautification.
The council approved spending $7,630 on two solar speed radar signs which will be placed on SR 13. The radar signs that are already there will be moved to other parts of town.
Noe requested the town spend $10,353 on Skadata tranducers on the 16 lift stations around town. This type of alarm system will allow waste water personnel to use an app on their phone to see in real time what is going on at a lift station should an alarm go off.
Bids were let out twice for the painting of the water tower. Noe said only two came in. L.C. United Painting won the bid for $129,000 which includes $80,000 for painting the tower. The rest of the funds will go to making necessary repairs to bring the tower up to code. Work on the repairs will begin this fall with the actual painting to be completed before June 30.
Police Chief Jim Layne reported he heard back from the insurance company regarding a squad car damaged in a pursuit. The department will receive enough cash to pay off the lease plus have a little left over for a new squad car. Interviews are underway to replace an officer who recently left the department.
Layne reported an ordinance establishing a new handicap spot in front of the Syracuse Public Library will be brought before the council at the October meeting for approval.
Chad Jonsson, park superintendent, reported at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, will be the first Super Hero Academy featuring Spider Man. Reservations are still being taken for the event.
The annual Harvest Fest will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12 at Lakeside Park. The annual Indoor Garage Sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m, Saturday, Oct. 19. At press time there was one remaining booth space available.
Fire Chief Mickey Scott reported an ambulance was involved in an accident while transporting a patient on Aug. 26. The ambulance was running lights and sirens when it was T-boned. Scott said it will take approximately 9 months for get the ambulance back in service.
Scott requested permission to purchase a demo ambulance for for $230, 528, a stricker cot for $42,703.20. To save time and get the ambulance in service as fast as possible, Scott recommended having the ambulance wrapped for $10,000. Radio communication equipment will be an additional $10,000.
Currently the Turkey Creek Fire Department is using two old ambulances when they can as well as borrowing another department’s when available to provide coverage at both fire stations. Scott said the demo ambulance could be in service as early as Oct. 15.
Heidi Blake, program director for the Kosciusko County Tobacco Free Coalition, came before the council to ask if it would consider closing exemptions for bars and veteran organizations to allow smoking. Since a state law went into effect in 2007, smoking is banned in most public places with bars and veterans organizations able to apply for an exemption,
Blake stressed in her presentation that smoking affects lakes and waterways She mentioned several studies that highlight the negative effect smoking and cigarette waste has on marine life. The council agreed to look over the information she provided and consider her request.
Council President Larry Martindale asked Noe if he heard any news regarding Travel Lite. Noe said only a a lot of rumors.
The next Syracuse Town Council meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15, in the council chambers located in the Syracuse Town Hall.