Syracuse Park Board took care of some end-of-the-year business at its meeting Monday night, Dec. 13. Pictured are Chad Jonsson, park superintendent, Paul Newcomer, and Jeff Nicodemus. Photo by Phoebe Banks.

By Phoebe Banks
Staff Writer

SYRACUSE — Syracuse Park Board wrapped up the year with a brief meeting Monday night, Dec. 13. Trees and updates on Schrock Field and a no-leash dog park facility were the main topics.

Two park board members, whose terms expire at the end of this month, were also honored at the meeting.

Chad Jonsson, park superintendent, gave the tree board report. Several trees with Xs will be removed by the end of the year. The tree board received a grant this year for new trees. A new application is being submitted to Tree City USA for a grant next year.

Jonsson gave financial report for Nov. 8 to Dec. 13 and the financial report for November.

He also gave an update on Schrock Field work. The playground is being delivered soon. Plans are for a new building to be built this winter.

The no-leash dog park facility proposal is in the hands of the town council. The idea was presented to the council Nov. 23. The park board is looking at vacant property at Main and Dolan streets. While the town council liked the idea, it was noted public input is needed before taking the next steps.

Heating units have been ordered for the community center. The furnaces went out in parts of the building, including the Kiwanis Room. Collier’s will install and do the work Tuesday, Dec. 21.

Painting the interior of community center will take place this winter. Smith Painting is doing the work in January or February.

Darin Lursen gave the program report. Euchre is the first Friday of every month with an average of 24 people.

A mommy and me painting party is at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 5. The class is two hours.

Breakfast with Santa earlier this month had around 300 to 350 people.

Signs up for basketball league are “good to go,” said Lursen. The park board agreed to pay basketball referees weekly.

Park board members Dave Van Lue and Shirley Connolly’s terms both expire at the end of this year. Van Lue is the park board president and the school board appointee. His replacement is Brent Berkeypile, the principal at Wawasee Middle School.

Connolly’s replacement is in the process; anyone interested may contact Jonsson.

Bricks have been ordered in their honor and will be installed outside the community center. Van Lue has served on the park board since 2005 and Connolly since 2007.

The park board approved its 2022 non-reverting operating budget and the end-of-year financials.

The dates for 2022 park board meetings were also set. The next meeting is a 7 p.m. Jan. 10.

Syracuse Park Board members Dave Van Lue and Shirley Connolly’s terms both expire at the end of this year. Van Lue is the park board president and the school board appointee. Both were honored at last night’s park board meeting. Photo by Phoebe Banks.