SYRACUSE — Robin Merchant, public works superintendent, told the Syracuse Town Council there is a 28.6 percent water loss occurring on a regular basis. The state requires water departments to be under 20 percent when it comes water loss.

Merchant made his report during the council’s regular monthly meeting Tuesday evening, April 18.

Merchant told the council he has done everything he can to figure out where the water loss is coming from. He does not think there is a problem with the metering on people’s homes since most of the meters are relatively new.

One complaint Merchant did have is industries in town are not cooperating with the water department when it comes to fire service lines. Merchant told the council industry could have a leak and not even know it. He suggested a change to the sewer ordinance where industries with fire service lines would be metered. He suggested a flat rate and then if there was water use or loss in a fire service line, there would be a charge.

Councilman Larry Siegel asked how many gallons 28.6 percent is. Merchant said the town is having between 2.5 and 3 million gallons of water disappearing.

The council approved Merchant to spend $156,000 to hire B.L. Anderson to install a new bio loop system. The current system which was installed as part of the wastewater plant rehabilitation has not worked correctly since being installed. Because the equipment is currently not working correctly, the plant is in violation with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. Mason Engineering has agreed to provide a quote to remove the current equipment.

Merchant also reported his department tried to use the second clarifier at the wastewater treatment plant and was unable to because the paint is peeling off. That work will be completed by next week along with a handrail being installed.

The town council approved the following companies are in compliance with their CF-1 tax abatement: JP Inc.; Patrick Industries; PW Realty, both tax abatements are in compliance; Syracuse Properties LLC and Polywood LLC, both abatements are in compliance. The council must approve compliance of tax abatements on an annual basis.

Police Chief Jim Layne reported the new squad car will be ready shortly. An in-car camera, which was purchased through a grant, is being installed on the car.

The council approved $42,000 to Paving Solutions for crack sealing. The work should be done prior to Memorial Day. Siegel told Merchant he received a number of complaints from people regarding tar getting on their tires and then being spread to driveways and sidewalks. He asked if something could be done so there isn’t such a mess. Merchant said sand could be used to keep the tar where it belongs.

Fire Chief Mickey Scott reported the circuit board for the storm siren has been replaced. A siren check is done at 11 a.m. the first Friday of each month. The aerial truck is back in service after a hydraulic leak was repaired.
A new probationary paramedic/firefighter started March 20 and a probationary EMT/fire fighter will start next week.