SYRACUSE  — What could have turned into a heated and lengthy debate about approving the Turkey Creek Fire Territory’s equipment budget was quickly squelched during the Syracuse Town Council’s regular monthly meeting Tuesday night, Oct. 18.

Fire Chief Mickey Scott provided an updated equipment budget, complete with estimates for a number of projects. Scott told the council in several instances, the fire territory was within 6 percent of what the actual costs for a project would be.

Council president Larry Siegel requested time for reviewing the material with the council approving the equipment budget at its November meeting. Scott informed the council the entire budget had to be approved by the state by Nov. 1. He also reminded the council if the equipment budget was approved and the money not spent, it wasn’t going anywhere.

Siegel balked at putting the budget up for a vote stating the fire territory could seek appropriations as projects came up. Scott disagreed stating it would take more time and more paperwork. He requested a vote from the board.

Councilman Bill Musser, who is a representative of the fire territory board, asked a few questions about how many estimates were received on projects slated for Stations I and II. Scott said one estimate from a local contractor was provided, and others could be obtained.

Councilman Tom Hoover, also a council representative on the fire territory board, pointed out the budget can be passed but no funds spent until the council approves it.

Councilman Paul Stoelting announced he was abstaining from voting because he wasn’t up to speed on the situation. Siegel said he was voting no and asked Hoover if he was pleased with the budget. Hoover admitted there were six or seven items on the budget he wasn’t happy with, “but I’m not going to look at a budget for six months or argue about it until 10 p.m.”

The fire territory budget passed three in favor, one against and one abstaining.

The council approved its own 2017 budget on final reading.