SYRACUSE — Issues with the Eli Lilly Road trail widening project were discussed at the Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee meeting Monday, July 18.

Pulver Asphalt and Paving started construction Monday, July 11, but the work had to be suspended. “There have been some complications,” noted Executive Director Megan McClellan. The county called her and she met with county officials to discuss the project’s issues that had to do mostly with permitting about drainage.

“They are working with us,” she said of the county. “I think we’ve worked it out.”

The project is scheduled to start again next week; it should be completed in four weeks. An anonymous donor agreed to fund the remainder of the Eli Lilly Road trail construction cost.

Several other trail projects were discussed including Conklin Bay. The committee is working on the INDOT permit form. McClellan met with Earth Source and Department of Natural Resources at the site Thursday, June 30. She said, “They were happy to hear that we planned to use cylindrical piers and that the boardwalk would be open to the public and include educational signage about the wetlands.” There is, however, no final decision on that permit yet. A banner for advertising has been created and was shown at the meeting. Another anonymous donor gave $10,000 to the trails, noting that they are excited about the Conklin Bay section, said McClellan.

McClellan met with Earth Source and the town to review the SR 13 crossing project at Pickwick Drive. The engineer’s estimate is $50,000. Once the permit application has been sent to INDOT, and returned back, the committee will know how much the town can contribute and bid out the rest.

The committee also heard about Updentity. It is a company that helps non profits apply for a Google grant, up to $120,000 a year. The grant is for ad space. Updentity charges $1,980 a year to secure the grant, create the ads, and give the committee a monthly report. The North Webster Community Center has used the company before and reported great success, said McClellan. The idea was tabled until the next meeting.

Dr. Tom Edington gave the treasurer’s report and the trails committee received $14,009.77 in donations in June. It also received a $500 donation from Indiana Humanities. June’s expenses totaled $17,964.95.

“Tour des Lakes went really well. There were 308 riders; last year there were 220. We had lots of positive feedback,” McClellan said. Most of the proceeds from the July 9 event benefit the trails. Final accounting will be done at the next
Tour des Lakes meeting Thursday, July 21.

A classic car show is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, July 24, at Oakwood Inn. There will be several judged categories, including People’s Choice. All proceeds go to the trails.

The trails office is moving a block away and will be in the same office as the chamber, which signed a three-year lease. The first month’s rent is free. The new office will be located at Pickwick Block, SR 13 and Main Street.

A picnic table, donated in honor of Glen Slabach, was noted and a new kiosk will be installed along a section of the trail next weekend.

Jerry Wright was named Volunteer of the Month.

The next meeting is at 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 15.