Syracuse Town Council approved a contract with Triad Engineering Inc. for $182,000 for engineering, design and construction inspection of the town’s wastewater treatment plant Tuesday night. The wastewater treatment plant needs extensive renovation and repair.

Brett Konarski of Jones Petrie and Rafinski, the town’s engineering firm, provided an update on the new industrial and technology park. The council approved and signed a change order for the park, located at SR 13 and U.S. 6. Arrangements were also made with Kline Excavating to repair Long Drive. The repair is expected to take one to two days.

Konarski reported bond and wage rates increased the cost of the signs for the industrial and technology park by $6,000. The board approved the cost of the signs for $62,000. They should be installed within 45 days and construction at the park will be completed by Sept. 17, according to the contract.

The council also approved establishing separate accounts for the Syracuse Tax Increment Finance District and the Oakwood TIF. Clerk-treasurer Julie Kline explained that the reason for establishing separate accounts is for reporting purposes to the state, and for transparency.

Syracuse Police Chief Tony Ciriello reported Long Drive will be closed by 4 p.m. Friday, July 4, for Fourth of July activities in Lakeside Park. Depending on the size of the crowd, the police department may close the road earlier in the afternoon.

Ciriello reported the new mo-ped law will go into effect July 1. All mo-peds will have to have license plates. There will be two different classes for mo-peds. Class A will require a licensed rider and insurance coverage, Class B will not.

Chad Jonsson, park superintendent, reported the Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce will have a parade at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 5, going from the north side of town to the south side.

A produce-only farmer’s market will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesdays, starting today, and continuing for the remainder of the season.

The Tour des Lakes bike ride will take place Saturday, July 12, and will offer riders various routes along the trails between Syracuse and Winona Lake.

Jeremy Sponseller, public works superintendent, noted the pedestrian bridge on Harkless Drive will be completed within another week. Approximately 72 of the first 100 water meters for Oakwood have been installed. The software changeover for the new meters will take place next week.

The council approved the purchase of a new asphalt roller after the old one burned up recently.

The council also approved the upcoming budget calendar. Kline needs to have budgets finished when she meets with the Department of Local Government Finance on Aug. 7. The council will have an opportunity to tie up loose ends on the budget on Aug. 19. The first public reading of the budget will be Sept. 16, with second reading and adoption on Oct. 21.

Musser reported there was a change order covering three items for the renovation of Fire Station I, with an increase of $8,427. The changes were to add asphalt to the north side of the building, where water typically pooled after a rain storm; a generator which provided the power supply to the second floor needed to be changed; and occupational sensors for lights had to be fixed. The council voted four to one in favor, with Councilman Larry Siegel abstaining.