SYRACUSE —Public Works Superintendent Robin Merchant provided an update to his report to the Syracuse Town Council during the council’s regular monthly meeting Tuesday night, March 21.

He reported an air compressor for the wastewater treatment plant has been repaired a week ahead of schedule.

The council approved a bid from Mason Engineering and Construction for $12,967 to remove the old sludge conveyor and install the new one.

Merchant requested the council consider updating the fats oil and grease portion of the sewer ordinance. The ordinance is missing quite a bit of information. Merchant has tested several local businesses and found the fats oil and grease being released into the sewer system are higher than what is allowed. Other businesses have no way for him to do lab tests.

Merchant told the council he would look to other communities and draft an ordinance for them to consider.

The council approved trying out a vacuum truck for 30 days before deciding whether to lease or purchase a new one.

Merchant is also responding to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management regarding a recent inspection. Merchant noted the department was non-compliant on five items, but he’s disputing those issues. The inspector who found the department in non-compliance had inspected the department last year and these issues weren’t a problem then.

The council approved a quote for $5,300 for National Wash Authority to inspect and paint the north water tower.
The council also approved a bid of $19,600 to Pace Maker to enclose a lean-to type structure to provide more storage space for town departments.

Fire Chief Mickey Scott reported firefighters spent more than 270 hours in training last month. There was a test of the outdoor alarms where one failed due to a faulty circuit board. Repairs should be made this week.

Two members of the department will start the paramedic program next month and will complete it in 2018, and two full-time positions were recently filled.