(This article was originally published in the Mail-Journal today, Wednesday, Feb. 24.)

SYRACUSE — For those Syracuse residents who didn’t know a town ordinance book existed, coming home to a warning on the door may have been the first sign the town is getting serious about violations.

Although the list of ordinances has been in place for years, it’s been about three years since the town had an employee in charge of enforcing those regulations. For many years, Syracuse had one full-time employee in charge of enforcing ordinances and animal control. Currently, one Kosciusko County employee works the entire county to cover animal complaints including loose animals, aggressive pets and dead deer along the roads. Although the police department in Syracuse has always been in charge of enforcing, it had not been assigned to one officer to keep track.

Beginning Jan. 1, police chief Jim Layne placed the town ordinances in the care of police department veteran Calvin Cline. With the help of Harold Hansborough, a town employee in charge of building codes, the department has been able to be more effective in finding and citing violations. If an ordinance violation can be seen from a public right of way, Kline begins by issuing a warning.

For those Syracuse town residents who like to set aside firewood for small fires in the backyard, keeping the wood pile elevated is part of the town’s ordinances preventing excessive termites and damage around town. (Photo by Chelsea Los)

According to Layne, if a violation is spotted, Kline will leave a notice or attempt to make contact with the property owner to bring his or her attention to the violation and make them aware of the town ordinances. Layne realizes many people don’t know about the ordinances since the full-time enforcement officer left nearly 10 years ago. “That’s why we’re trying to take the friendly approach,” said Layne. “We’ll definitely work with people.”

Layne said Syracuse residents can call the police department and speak with officer Kline about any questions or issues they may have when it comes to carrying out the town ordinances. Each ordinance has a specific time allotment between the first warning, the second letter and the final citation, resulting in a monetary fine.

There have been just 11 citations issued this year that have resulted in fines. Examples of violations include: accumulation of trash and rubbish, parking in front of residences on a non-improved surface and vehicles with no plates or expired plates.

The town ordinances are approved by the Syracuse Town Council. Suggestions for additional ordinances can be brought before the council for consideration, as well. To access the full listing of Syracuse town ordinances, visit www.syracusein.org under the clerk’s office tab.

Both Milford and North Webster towns also follow a code of ordinances, enforced by the police department in North Webster and a combination of police and street and utilities departments in Milford. Milford Police officer Travis Marsh reported the majority of citations in Milford go to combatting non-plated or junk cars.