Syracuse Town Council Approves Change In Zoning For New Business
SYRACUSE — After some brief discussion the Syracuse Town Council approved changing the zoning at the former Lakeland Day Care from residential to commercial during its regular monthly meeting Tuesday night, July 17.
Dan Richard from the Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission, brought a unanimous recommendation for the change in zoning for Sawyer’s Country Edge which will sell archery supplies and have an indoor archery range. Ron Stuckman, business owner, provided a number of self-proposed restrictive covenants that the town will have control over even if the property is later sold.
In department reports, Town Manager Henry DeJulia asked the council to approve a contract with Havel to replace two H.V.A.C units. The council approved the request.
The council also got a first look at the new town video. DeJulia said the video will be linked to the town’s web site.
Jeremy Harding from Commonwealth, the town’s engineering firm. Reviewed two options for road projects over the next few years using Crossroads Community Grant funds. After some discussion the council decided to address Medusa Street first, then other assets and then doing a major project on Harkless Drive. Total cost is estimated at $740,000 with the Crossroads Community Funds paying $285,000 if the grant is awarded.
Chad Jonsson, park superintendent, reported the mud run had 282 participants, about 100 more than last year. He said that was about the limit the event could handle. The Fourth of July was one of the busiest he remembers with some people coming to Lakeside Park as early as 8:30 a.m. and staying all day. All six food vendors did well with sales.
The Tour de Lakes was July 14 had over 300 riders participate.
Community wide garage sales will be Aug. 2-4 while Aug. 11 will be the Kiwanis Triathlon. Darin Lursen, the new program director starts Monday.
Councilman Tom Hoover asked about Laudeman Park. Jonsson said he planned on working with the high school’s landscaping class and the community on ideas for the park. “It’s going to be a work in progress for the next few years,” Jonsson said.
Robin Merchant, public works superintendent, reported the sewer billing ordinance is being reworked because as it is currently written, if a seasonal homeowner has their meter pulled for the winter, their sewer bill automatically goes from $14 a month to $44. He told the council it wasn’t fair to charge seasonal homeowners more when they weren’t at their lake home.
Ortman Well Drilling was paid $3,150 to replace a mechanical seal and packing on a high service pump. Another high service pump could not be repaired and was replaced for a cost of $6,560. Merchant also presented a rebate check to the Paula Kehr-Wicker, clerk-treasurer, from NIPSCO for switching to LED bulbs in the decorative lights.
The council approved continuing a contract with AZ Engineering on Crossroads Community Funding.
The council approved the Turkey Creek Fire Territory moving forward to have Milestone Construction do $500,000 of work at both Station I and Station II. The vote was 4 in favor and one abstaining. Work will begin Oct. 1 and should be completed within 150 days.
The council also approved the fire territory’s operations and equipment budget with a vote of 4 in favor and one abstaining.
The council approved Kehr-Wicker spending $17,849 for a new generator for town hall.