Syracuse Town Manager Henry DeJulia requested his contract be renewed during the Syracuse Town Council monthly meeting Tuesday evening. Council member Larry Siegel requested two slight language changes in two paragraphs of the contract, which DeJulia agreed to.

Discussion ensued when Siegel asked to limit DeJulia’s compensation time to no more than five days. As an employee exempt from overtime, DeJulia can receive comp time in exchange for overtime.

Council President Brian Woody said he didn’t care if the town manager took an occasional Friday off if he is getting the job done, and “Henry gets the job done.” Town Attorney Vern Landis questioned if five days is enough. Clerk Treasurer Julie Kline suggested the town manager call the council president to request time off.

Council member Paul Stoetling suggested approving the contract for 30 days and address the comp time issue at the January meeting. Councilman Bill Musser moved to allow the town manager to have five comp days with more at the approval of the council president. The motion was approved.

Turkey Creek Fire Territory Chief Mickey Scott came before the council to request permission to purchase a new grass rig with a conversion package. Under the fire territory agreement, the fire territory board, Turkey Creek Township Advisory Board and the Syracuse Town Council must all agree on equipment purchases.

Scott explained the new truck will be more mobile and will allow for rural rescue as well as putting out grass fires. Currently if firefighters have to do a rural rescue out in a farm field or wooded areas, they use a private individual’s pickup or carry the patient out on a back board. The new grass truck is larger than a pickup truck and will have larger tires and a 200 gallon poly tank with three spray nozzles. A conversion package on the truck will also provide a plow for going after patients in rural areas in bad weather.

Cost of the truck is $108,065. The fire territory had $120,000 budgeted for the new grass truck. Woody said he wants the old grass truck sold or traded in.

After discussion, the vote was three council members, Musser, Woody and Kathy Beer, with Siegel and Stoetling abstaining.

Awarding the bid for the wastewater treatment plant was tabled until the January council meeting. Jeremy Sponseller, public works superintendent, explained the committee could better review the bids.

The council approved a resolution allowing the clerk treasurer to make transfer appropriations to balance and transfer the books for 2014. The council also approved a new vacation, holiday, sick leave, insurance ordinance for town employees. The council also approved appropriating $500 from the park department’s insurance fund to the new equipment fund.

In the department reports, DeJulia reported the plots in the industrial park have been appraised and all are priced differently. Guidelines are being established with the redevelopment commission to sell the lots.

In the parks report, Chad Jonsson, park superintendent, reported Holiday Magic held Nov. 22 went well. The town Christmas tree is out due to a short, which he hasn’t found yet. Approximately 600 breakfasts were served at breakfast with Santa Dec. 6. The ice rink at the Harold Schrock Athletic Complex has been used once this season, the Friday before Thanksgiving.

And people have been coming in to use the fitness center now that it has been expanded. Adult basketball will again be offered this winter starting in January.