Syracuse Wawasee Trail Committee met Monday night and discussed a Boltage recording system for two, local Wawasee schools.

Megan McClellan, executive director, said the cost for two systems is $12,140. They will be located at Syracuse Elementary School and Wawasee High School.

“It’s a counting system,” she said. “It records when children get to school, whether they walked or biked.”

The system sends a text alert to parents once their children arrive at schools. Students would have a monitoring system attached to a backpack, for instance. A Safe Routes to School grant for $15,235, from the Indiana State Department of Health, will pay for the systems.

The system can be moved so once the new Syracuse Elementary School is built the system could be moved to the new location. Chairman Tom Edington said a sidewalk will be put in place so students can walk or bike to the new school.

McClellan said the systems are an outreach for the committee because it stresses the importance of walking or biking to school. Bike to School Day is May 6.

McClellan will be ordering the Boltage systems soon but isn’t sure yet when they will arrive.

Several trail projects were discussed. The first “Tails and Trails” dog walk on the Syracuse Lake portion of the trail will be from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, starting at the Syracuse Community Center.

The Port-O-Potty at the trailhead by Cornelius and Pickwick is in place. “We are working on signage now,” said McClellan. Clean up along the 5-mile loop will be Wednesday, April 22.

McClellan updated the committee on the Harkless Drive section. Work is being done and is on schedule to be finished before Memorial Day. McClellan showed pictures of work at the meeting. “It’s going well,” she said.

Approximately 15 homeowners attended a public meeting regarding this section of trail. McClellan has also individually met with nine homeowners, as well as four businesses, to address their concerns and hear their suggestions.

McClellan and Nathan Pulver, of Pulver Asphalt and Paving, who is doing the sidewalk, met with NIPSCO regarding moving a pole. “This is a key section for us,” she said.

Regarding the Conklin Bay section, Earth Source has started with the wetland delineation, topographical survey and plan setup.

As far as Eli Lilly Road, fundraising signs have been designed and will go in soon.

A Gator utility vehicle has been ordered by the parks department and should arrive around May 1 or so; hopefully, a broom attachment will arrive around the same time.

Signage will be going up April 30 along Pickwick Drive and other portions of the trail. Nine signs will be installed, including one purchased by Syracuse Lake Association.

McClellan gave the treasurer’s report. The committee received a $500 donation for the KCV Cycling Club. The year-to-date balance is $283,197.42.

The committee’s website, www.syracusewawaseetrails.com, has been updated and includes a calender of events along the trail. Kids Safety Day is 10 a.m. May 2, at the Syracuse Community Center.

Volunteer of the Month is Eric Leffler. McClellan stressed the importance of committee members logging volunteer hours because it’s “good for fundraising” and obtaining grants.

The committee also discussed future projects, such as trail counts throughout the year to try to get baseline data on who is using the trail, and historical markers.

The next meeting date is at 6 p.m. May 18.