Councilmen Larry Siegel, left, and Larry Martindale, chat with Syracuse Police Chief Jim Layne prior to the February town council meeting held Feb. 15.

By Lauren Zeugner
Staff Writer

SYRACUSE — Syracuse Town Council approved revising resolution 8-75 which would change the intersection of Oak Street and Polywood Way from a four-way stop to a two-way stop during its monthly meeting Tuesday night, Feb. 15.

Police Chief Jim Layne was instructed to having the new ordinance ready to sign at the March council meeting.

The council approved resolution 2022-01 regarding the Oakwood housing project. The resolution states the town will commence and complete a water improvement project known as the Lakeside Drive Water Loop, which is needed to eliminate a dead-end water main, and which will increase water quality for all residents as a whole, particularly for houses in the vicinity of Lakeside Drive.

The resolution further states the town will construct a new lift station to serve along with a new forced main to serve the area within and around Oakwood Park and the Lakeside Drive area. Funds for such projects shall not come from the fund containing monies reserved for development within the relevant tax increment finance district, but shall be paid for with existing utility funds, economic development income tax funds or other grants or sources of funding available.

In accordance with past economic development procedures developed by the town, the town does anticipate monies in existence that have accumulated as part of the TIF area encompassing Oakwood Resort and/or Oakwood Park, shall be reserved for necessary improvements within the park in accordance with Indiana law.

The resolution further states the town anticipates supporting any reasonable tax abatement requests made by developers of the Oakwood Resort area, when they are otherwise eligible for tax abatement in accordance with applicable provisions of Indiana law.

The council tabled several task orders presented by Commonwealth Engineering since the council didn’t have enough information to act and there were questions regarding the orders.

In the department reports, David Wilkinson, town manager, reported he received two quotes regarding updating the town’s comprehensive plan. After some discussion with the council, Wilkinson said he and the town’s department heads could move forward and refresh the town’s comprehensive plan on their own.

In the police report Jim Layne reported he received a complaint on Pollard Street regarding traffic leaving Polywood and making its way to Main Street. Layne recommended a stop sign at Oak Street to slow people down.

The police department had to deal with semi trucks getting stuck on the Oak Street crossing due to last week’s snowstorm. Layne said police were on scene one day for three hours and another day for two hours for stuck semi-trucks. The trucks got stuck after going off the road and not on the railroad crossing, so there was no danger of a truck/train accident.

Council President Bill Musser asked if Layne was having any luck with an ordinance officer. Wilkinson reported he managed to secure the services of a the Milford building inspector, who is an independent contractor, one day a week for code enforcement for buildings.

Chad Jonsson, park superintendent, reported the spring indoor garage sale set for March 5 is completely sold out. The Princess Parties set for March 19 still have openings. Ariel will be at the spring Princess Parties.

The interior of the Syracuse Community Center is being painted and will look nice when it’s complete.

Jonsson gave an update on the ballpark saying electric and plumbing has been roughed in. Insulation is starting to be installed. The playground equipment and siding for the buildings have been delivered.

Musser instructed Jonsson to bring plans for using the Dolan Street property for a dog park for discussion at the March council meeting. Jonsson was also instructed to find alternative locations in case the Dolan Street area won’t work.

Mark Aurich, public works superintendent, complimented all three crews on the hours and work they put in during the recent snowstorm. Aurich said it was some of the messiest snow he’s ever pushed with a plow.

He told the council he heard very few complaints and lots of compliments. One resident even stopped a plow driver and sent a box of cookies for the crews with him.

Fire Chief Mickey Scott thanked the public for its assistance during the storm. The town provided a plow at station No. 1 and the county provided a plow at station No. 2. Asked about the fire that occurred early Saturday morning, Feb. 12, Scott recommended people consider putting smoke detectors in their attics.

Virginia Cazier, clerk-treasurer, requested approval to pay $10,3238.38 to NIPSCO from the Community Crossing grant. The council approved the request.

In the Syracuse Redevelopment Commission meeting held prior to the town council meeting, the commission approved spending $5,000 to Commonwealth to do road platting in the technology park. Wilkinson also put forth a request from the Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce putting a “Welcome to Syracuse” sign by the technology park.

Larry Siegel, commission president, noted the chamber has made the request in the past and it has been rejected for a number of reasons.