Syracuse Town Councilman Nathan Scherer, left, chats with Council President Cindy Kaiser while Councilman Paul Stoelting chats with Mark Aurich, public works superintendent, prior to the council’s August meeting held Tuesday night. Aug. 15. Photo by Lauren Zeugner
By Lauren Zeugner
InkFreeNews
SYRACUSE — The Syracuse Town Council approved introducing two new ordinances raising water and wastewater rates during its regular meeting Tuesday night, Aug. 15. A public hearing will be held at the September town council meeting with the ordinances coming up for passage at the October meeting.
The proposed increase for water is $9.17 per 1,000 gallons. For wastewater there will be a fixed billing charge of $5.57 per month with $15.71 per 1,000 gallons per month, and a minimum monthly charge for sewage services in the amount of $21.28.
Mark Aurich, public works superintendent, explained the town’s infrastructure dates back to 1902 with the newest infrastructure dating to 1986. Along with infrastructure maintenance, there has been an increase in state and federal regulations required for water and sewer the town must meet — all of which requires capital investment.
Aurich said the need to replace the infrastructure is essential, along with preparing for future growth of the town. He noted the proposed increases are still lower than what surrounding communities pay for water and sewer.
Jeremy Hardy of Commonwealth Engineering, the town’s engineering firm, reported the contractor for the Oakwood lift station project intends to mobilize after Labor Day, moving materials in and prepping the site to start work later in September.
The council approved an extension to the Main and Railroad streets project. Due to a CSX flagger not being available until next week, the project is now slated to be completed by Friday, Aug. 25, with restoration work and punch list items to be completed after that date. The project’s completion date was originally Tuesday, Aug. 8.
David Wilkinson, town manager, reported a company recently came in to do soil testing on the Dolan Street property where the new library will be built. The cost of the testing was covered by a grant from Michiana Area Council of Governments.
Chad Jonnson, park superintendent, reported the parks department has been asked to host Wawasee Middle School’s seventh grade football games at the Schrock Fields. The first game will be Tuesday, Aug. 29. Lakeland Youth Center’s Pee Wee Football will have its first game at Schrock Field Saturday, Sept. 9.
Construction continues on the new pavilion and restrooms in Henry Ward Park.
Quotes for a new roof for the Syracuse Community Center have been obtained. Jonsson explained he wanted to discuss the project with the contractors and asked the council when he should bring a request for final approval.
The council suggested he make a request for final approval at the September meeting. The Syracuse Park Board hopes to have a new roof installed on the community center by the end of the year.
Aurich reported the last of the decorative lights have been shipped. He hopes to have decorative lights in Technology Park by the end of September.
A water leak was found near the north water tower. It should be fixed by next Tuesday, Aug. 22. Aurich said the plan is to do the repair so it will not require the water to be shut off and a boil order issued.
Fire Chief Mickey Scott asked the security deposit for water and sewer to station 1 be waived. The council approved. He reported once painting was completed at station 1 and phone and internet was transferred, the fire department’s administrative assistant’s office and the Turkey Creek Trustee’s office will move to station 1.
Firefighters have also been training with the new fire boat.
Town Attorney Jay Rigdon reported he received a letter from the Syracuse Public Library’s attorney requesting a reversion clause be changed from indefinite to five years. The clause would state if the property is not used as a library within five years, ownership of it would revert back to the town.
With the current indefinite reversion clause, should the library have to move its location anytime in the future, ownership of the property would revert back to the town, rather than the library being able to sell it and use the proceeds for a new facility. The council approved changing the reversion clause to five years.