Tuesday night’s Syracuse Town Council meeting lasted a mere 19 minutes, but the focus was centered on winter and a large wastewater project.

After the meeting was called to order and previous minutes approved, town council members were briefed on wastewater improvements by Rick Pharis, Triad Associates. A new wastewater project is estimated to cost over the $350,000 line that forces the town to use prevailing wages. In accordance with this, the town must select at least two committee members to be appointed to the project, and one must live in the town. Pharis nominated Jeremy Sponseller, Severn Trent Services, as the in-county member, and member Bill Musser volunteered as the in-town representative. The council members made a motion to approve.

Henry DeJulia presented department reports. The municipal lot has been completed, and Oakwood area has been paved. Tony Cirello, Syracuse police chief, presented the service report for the month of October. Cirello reported there were a total of 408 service calls, 21 of those created written reports, leading to eight arrests.

Syracuse Parks Department, represented by Chad Jonsson, informed the public of upcoming community events such as Holiday Magic and breakfast with Santa. The snowflakes on light poles have been up for several days, but the council spent several minutes asking questions about a small portion of flakes that were not lighting properly. The remodeled property on Wildwood Drive (a 6 acre property) is being closed on currently, and Jonsson noted the property will immediately be donated to the town of Syracuse.

Sponseller spoke to the council members about the disposal of the large town brush pile. He requested the brush be chipped with grinding equipment after January when the budget turns over, as he has been unable to locate an outside company that would be able to do so within the end of the year budget constraints. He also informed the town council of the recent addition of stop signs to the Oakwood area, and the need for several more one-way signs throughout the community. Sponseller assured the town there would be enough of both salt and sand for the coming winter months, and thinks they will be set for a hard winter similar to last year’s.

Clerk-Treasurer Julie Kline finished the meeting. She informed the town the final pay reimbursement request has been approved. The EDA approved the full 72 percent payment of what the town spent this year, which came out to $195,414.90.