From paying retainage fees, looking at sign options and approving bids for striping, Syracuse Town Council spent a good portion of its January meeting Tuesday night discussing the SR 13/US 6 industrial and technology park.

Discussion began during the financial report with the council agreeing to approve paying the retainage fee to H + G Underground Utilities for construction retainage.

Brett Konarski, representing Jones Petrie Rafinski, the town’s engineering firm, reported a change order from H+G Underground Utility resulting in $25,000 cost savings. Konarski explained adjustments made in the field, not the design, resulted in the savings.

The council approved a bid for $2,915.40 from Air Marking Company to do pavement striping by the industrial park. This is the same company Cripe Excavating was going to sub-contract in its bid and there is no potential legal issues if the town enters into a contract with Air Marking Co. on its own.

It was noted the striping work cannot be done until the Economic Development Administration, which oversees the grant for the project, release the funds for the work and until weather permits.

An alternative sign option was submitted for the council to consider. The solar powered signs cost about $55,000. The quote included installation of both the sign and solar panels.

Councilman Larry Siegel asked if the signs would meet Indiana Department of Transportation regulations regarding being seen from the road. Konarski said he would check.

Town Manager Henry DeJulia told the council it has three scenarios to consider regarding signage at the industrial park. A standardized sign would cost about $20,000 with an additional $14,000 for landscaping and lighting. The disadvantage is a $1,200 a month electric bill.

The two solar powered options, both costing around $50,000, would be using technology in the technology park. Any sign design will also have to be approved by the Elkhart County Commissioners.

In other business the council approved an additional appropriations of $165,0000 from the storm sewer improvement fund and $47,750,000 from the new equipment fund to go to the cumulative storm sewer fund.

The council approved installing a stop sign on the corner of Palm Drive at the intersection of Lakeside Drive and Lake Drive.

DeJulia requested spending $10,500 on engineering for the Brooklyn Street project. The council approved his request.

Police Chief Tony Ciriello presented the council with a summary of calls for 2013 and praised the street department on the work it did during the recent blizzard. On Friday area third-graders will be going to the Shrine Circus in Fort Wayne weather permitting. Ciriello said there are 1,391 students attending from Kosciusko County, the largest group attending.

Chad Jonsson, park superintendent, provided the council with the 2013 tree summary. Syracuse Tree Board spend approximately $200 more on trees than it did in 2012. Syracuse-Wawasee Trail committee is pursuing a grant from INDOT for the SR 13 section. Jonsson requested a letter of support from the council. The council said it would provide the letter.

Jeremy Sponseller, public works superintendent, reported he spoke to two engineers about getting estimates on bringing the wastewater treatment plant up to specifications. He is requesting information on what needs to be done and how much it will cost. Indiana Department of Environmental Management called Sponseller asking the sewer use ordinance be made stricter. Sponseller explained the current ordinance doesn’t have enough teeth when it comes to enforcement.

Construction of the Harkless bridge, which will be done off-site, will begin in February with installation later this spring.

The council approved Sponseller hiring a third person for the water department.

In the clerk-treasurer report, the council approved the 2013 encumbrance list for $526,059.01 and entering into a contract with Invoice Cloud to allow for online viewing and payment of utility bills.