SYRACUSE — Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee met Monday evening, April 18, and Megan McClellan, executive director, gave the committee an update on several trail projects.

She gave an update on the Conklin Bay project. McClellan met with the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation Center Committee and gave an update at the meeting. She discussed signage and the type of trail that should be built with WACF. Wawasee Property Owners Association gave the trails $5,000 for an overlook for the proposed project. The committee also discussed getting liability insurance for this proposed section of the trail.

She gave the latest regarding the Eli Lilly trail widening project. The phone boxes have been moved by Century Link.

“We have positive news on drainage,” she said. McClellan said she will be meeting with a homeowner, whose property will be affected, together with another homeowner and trail supporter, who lives on this section. Depending on the location of the drainage outlet, she said, the committee may or may not need to get Department of Natural Resources permission. Once it receives permission from the homeowner, she will get a survey of the outlet location to determine the possible necessity of the DNR permit.

“We received a donation toward the Eli Lilly Trail widening project,” she said.

She also discussed signage and maintenance. Two signs were vandalized and will need to be replaced. Additional signs for groups, who have adopted a section of trail, have also been ordered. Cost for six signs is $234.

All groups who have adopted a section of trail agreed to clean their section during the week prior to Tails and Trails event, 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 23.

Dr. Tom Edington gave the treasurer’s report. He transferred some money from the trail’s account to a local bank, specifically for the Conklin Bay project. The Lilly Foundation matched an individual’s donation of $500 for a total of $4,500.

Tour des Lakes is July 11. “We received a $2,000 donation from K21 Health Foundation,” McClellan said. The new brochures have arrived. The new website has launched, www.tourdeslakes.com. Registrations are starting to come in, McClellan said.

Plans were heard regarding a trail for the railroad crossing on Main Street near the high school. A new Syracuse Elementary School is being built, near the high school, and Edington said he would like to see a trail for children to walk to school once it opens.

McClellan met with the Syracuse fire chief, who said locators along the trail’s proposed boardwalk are highly suggested for safety reasons. Committee member Dr. Erick Leffler suggested a numbering system. Also, defibrillators along the trail were suggested. McClellan said she will see if she can apply for a grant to pay for two or three defibrillators.

The purchase of promotional items was discussed. The committee decided to order some items, such as T-shirts, as well as items that can be given away at events.

The committee also decided to order aluminum plaques at a cost of $272.99. The plaques, in honor of donors, will be placed along a section of the trail.

A poet laureate campfire walk will be 6 to 9 p.m. June 9, at Lakeside Park in Syracuse. Safety Day is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 30, at the Syracuse Community Center. Also, a classic car show will be in July at Oakwood Inn and all proceeds will go directly to the trails committee.

Volunteer of the Month is Jodi Buhrt.

The next meeting at 6 p.m. May 16, at the Syracuse Community Center.