SYRACUSE — In light of rainy weather, Public Works Superintendent Robin Merchant raised concerns about sewer flows during the Syracuse Town Council meeting Tuesday, Nov. 21.

“Three weeks ago with the last big rain event, the plant saw a three-fold in flow (increase),” he said. “We are on the verge of peaking the plant capacity.”

Readings were done on the town’s and Turkey Creek’s lift stations. The town’s saw a 30-50 percent increase in stations not affected by Turkey Creek’s flows. Boston Street’s lift station, however, saw the largest increase — about 70 percent; it is also where Turkey Creek’s flows enter. Turkey Creek’s lift stations saw an increase of 70-92 percent. At this time, Merchant did not know the impact of this past weekend’s rain event but expected similar results.

Merchant feared routine overflows could be on the way if nothing is done, saying it opens a “new can of worms.”

“If we exceed our flow capacity at the plant, I will have (report that to) the state,” he said, noting if they have to bypass the plant, the result would be raw sewage being pumped into the creek.

When asked for realistic solutions, Merchant said, “Normally, you have to line your lines, you have to do smoke testing, dye testing, make sure no one has sub-pumps or gutters tied into the sewer lines, all stuff that you would do — that we need to do to cut down our increase.”

These steps would help eliminate where water is coming into the line during rain events; however, he said Turkey Creek has little incentive. Turkey Creek is surcharged for extra flow, but the town is paying for the extra electricity each lift station needs, plus the extra costs for treating water at the plant.

The Turkey Creek contract is renewed every 40 years, and Council President Tom Hoover said if they did cut Turkey Creek off early, the town would have to provide three years notice. He added Turkey Creek is looking at building its own plant.

Another option is the town could contact the state and let it be known the plant is close to capacity, and the state could then give Turkey Creek notice. Turkey Creek is currently eight or nine months past due on paying the town of Syracuse for wastewater services, owing the town approximately $120,000.

In other council news:

• The council passed ordinance 2017-05, adopting the new employee handbook; ordinance 2017-11, an appropriation reduction for local road and street and rainy day funds; ordinance 2017-12, an additional appropriation in cumulative storm sewer; ordinance 2017-14, designating and naming of Almond Street, which lies between Boston Street, Hickory Street and CSX Railroad; and ordinance 2017-15, amending article 6 section 9-71 of town code regarding drilling of potable water wells.

• Ordinance 2017-13, salaries and compensation for 2018, was tabled for next month as was including extra health savings account benefits for employees following insurance decreases.

• One-sided parking is being recommended for Harrison Street to better allow fire apparatuses and ambulances through. Town attorney Vern Landis will be working on an ordinance.

• The 2018 terminal service agreement was approved.

• Syracuse Police Department participated in No Shave November, giving $20 each to grow facial hair. The money will go back into the community, helping kids pay for lunches.

• The town will be looking into options to improve crossing safety for students at the intersection of Main Street, Syracuse-Webster Road and East 1300N.