SYRACUSE — Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee held its last meeting of the year Monday night, Nov. 21. Megan McClellan, executive director, reported several donations specified for the Phil Hartley Fund.

Committee Chair Erick Leffler asked if those donations could be counted toward the Laudeman Foundation match. The Laudeman Foundation will match up to $40,000 donated from the community. McClellan explained Max Laudeman is interested in attracting new individual donors to the trail project.

Committee member Bob Smith asked if the Rotary Foundation’s donation would apply to the Laudeman match. McClellan reiterated she thought Laudeman would agree to having the foundation’s donation apply to the match, but he really wants individuals to donate.

It was noted in the finance report the committee has received several large donations in the past month.
Leffler was selected as the volunteer of the month for serving as board chair as well as doing a lot of maintenance and other volunteer work regarding the trails.

The committee reviewed several projects it has in the works starting with Conklin Bay. McClellan reported the committee is waiting for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources final decision on the plan. An answer is expected by the end of the year. As soon as a decision is made, Earth Source, the committee’s design firm, will complete the remaining design work on the boardwalk. It is hoped the project will be ready for bid in early 2017.

Indiana Department of Transportation has approved plans for the SR 13 crossing. The town of Syracuse has agreed to do all the labor outside the state’s right of way if the committee will pay for materials. However, the town does not have a curb machine. Earth Source has completed an “invitation to quote.” After discussion, the board agreed to let the project go to bid since curbs will be necessary.

McClellan showed several examples of benches, bike racks and picnic tables for the Phil Hartley project. Committee members asked her to check with Polywood on a quote.

McClellan told the board the owner of Brook Pointe wants to go forward next year with a trail extension around the property. Brook Pointe’s property has already been surveyed. The trail committee needs to survey from the high school to Brook Pointe on the west side of the Syracuse-Webster Road, which has a wider right of way. Brook Pointe would like the new trail extension installed before its 2017 Fall Festival.

McClellan and several committee members met with Dave Brandis to discuss trail routes through Vawter Park. Homeowners in the area need to be contacted to see what their interest is.

The committee approved its 2017 budget.

After drafting a gift acceptance policy, McClellan told the board she thought it should go before the Syracuse Park Foundation for approval. She gave the draft to Dr. Tom Edington, committee member, to present to the foundation.

McClellan also informed the committee about an erosion problem on Northshore Drive where water is running off the road and is cutting under the sidewalk. After discussion committee man Sam Leman offered to take a look at the situation.