Syracuse Town Council accepted a request by Syracuse Police Chief Tony Ciriello to approve an ordinance prohibiting the sale, distribution and use of synthetic drugs within the town limits.

In recent months, the county drug task force has been cracking down on businesses that deal the products. Recent arrests have included North Webster businessman Sam Stimmel (see related) and Jaswant Singh, the owner of the Phillips 66 gas station in Warsaw, and his two sons. (See related)

The council approved the ordinance making it illegal for any business to now sell or distribute synthetic drugs in Syracuse.

In a separate matter, the council also approved a declaratory resolution for a tax abatement request from Poly-Wood. Attorney Steve Snyder, representing Poly-Wood and PW Realty, explained Poly-Wood is in the process of combining two buildings into one large manufacturing and office building.

Along with the expanded building, the company plans on expanding its lines and number of employees. A public hearing on the matter will be heard at the Dec. 17 council meeting.

In other business:

• Brett Konarski, of Jones Petrie Rafinski, the town’s engineering firm, provided a monthly update on the industrial park. Elkhart County Soil and Water District inspected the site and found it passed inspection. However, it did request H + G Underground Utility come back and clean out sediment in some of the culverts. H + G will also come in the spring and plant grass to help with erosion control.
• It was noted Syracuse did not have any power outage issues due to Sunday’s storm, but Ciriello responded to councilwoman Kathy Beer’s question noting the railroad gates are on a generator. In the event the power does go out, the railroad gates will still operate.
• Park superintendent Chad Jonsson reported Holiday Magic is this weekend and two-thirds of the snowflake lights have been installed.
• Breakfast with Santa will be Dec. 7 at the community center and there have been quite a few rentals at the community center as local businesses and families plan Christmas parties. Plans for the renovation of the pavilion in Lakeside Park have been turned over to the business interested in doing it.

(For a more in-depth account of the meeting, see today’s issue of The Mail-Journal.)