Nathan Scherer, Syracuse Council president, chats with Councilman Paul Stoelting and Town Attorney Jay Rigdon prior to the council’s regular meeting Tuesday night, May 21.

By Lauren Zeugner
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE — After two months of discussion, an ordinance requiring owners to pick up their animal’s waste died for lack of a motion during the Syracuse Town Council’s regular meeting Tuesday night, May 21.

The ordinance was first proposed after several council members received complaints from the community about horse manure on the roads, as well as dog owners who did not pick up after their pets.

Town Manager David Wilkinson provided two copies of the proposed ordinance during the meeting — one excluding horses from the ordinance and a second version including horses.

Council President Nathan Scherer asked Police Chief Jim Layne about his concerns. Layne said enforcement would be difficult as his officers would actually have to see the action taking place.

Another concern was where horses are parked, how cleaning up that area could be enforced.

Councilman Paul Stoelting asked how horses are different from dogs and cats. Town Attorney Jay Rigdon said it was a matter of degree. “One difference is horses cover a larger area than a dog.”

After more discussion, Scherer asked for a motion and received none.

Mark Chambers, Servline Utility Protection Program, came to explain how his company could replace the town’s leak rate adjustment policy.

Servline Utility offers insurance coverage for residents for a monthly fee of approximately $1.

Councilman Bill Musser asked how the policy would be implemented. Chambers said a letter would be sent to residents approximately 30-60 days before service would begin, explaining the service.

Servline Utility also offers exterior line protection for $5.99. This insurance covers the homeowner for any issues between the home and the street.

After learning more about the program Musser suggested the council discuss the matter further after having Virginia Cazier, clerk-treasurer, crunch some numbers.

The council approved issuing a request for proposals for the town trash contract. Any proposals would include options for a 5, 6 or 7 year contract; weekly recycling pickup and collection on Mondays. Trash collection services would be required to prove recycling would go to a recycling center.

The RFP comes after the town’s current trash collector began charging a fuel surcharge which was not part of the contract.

During Layne’s department report, discussion continued about liability insurance regarding officers using take home cars for personal use.

The concern is if an officer uses a police vehicle for personal use, has a passenger in the car with them and something happens, is the passenger covered.

After some discussion the council asked Cazier to work with Layne on getting quotes.

Chad Jonsson, park superintendent, reported the new roof is done on the community center.

Ward Park playground should be complete by mid June. One last piece of equipment needs to be installed. The parking lot will be redone as well.

Councilman Larry Siegel asked about a hitching post at Ward Park. Jonsson said money was available after the parking lot is paved a hitching post could be installed.

In his report Mark Aurich told the council he is working on engineering for water and sewer for homes north of the Schrock ball field, as some of the septic systems there are failing.

He is working on a resident letter and would like to encourage everyone who was annexed to tap onto the sewer. He asked the council to waive the $1,000 tap on fee for those home owners who respond to the letter within a set time frame.

Homeowners would still be responsible for the cost of the sewer line.

The motion was to waive the fee if residents of Kern Road signed on within 30 days of receiving their letter.

Councilwoman Cindy Kaiser asked about the fire hydrants in the tech park. Aurich reported a fire suppression alarm went off at one of the businesses due to a low pressure reading.

The cause of the low pressure reading was an unauthorized tanker opening a hydrant to fill the truck. The hydrants in the tech park will now be locked and keys for those locks will be given to the Turkey Creek Fire Territory.

In the fire department report, Chief Mickey Scott told the council the Memorial Day parade will be at 1:30 p.m. Monday, May 27. The fire department is already signed up for the fireworks on both lakes and will have its pork chop barbecue on Saturday, July 6.

Several people came to be heard by the council during public comments.

Scott Clay, business development representative for RQAW Architects and Engineering introduced himself to the council.

Tom Hoover asked what area encompassed the proposed Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area, the town is considering. He also asked how the area would be monitored.

Wilkinson explained D.O.R.A. is a new law recently passed by the state legislator allowing free movement of alcohol within a designated zone. Huntington Street Bar & Grill has agreed to be the anchor bar for the D.O.R.A.

“Chris from Syracuse Hardware” suggested seeing if a D.O.R.A is successful in Warsaw before adopting it for Syracuse.

Another resident asked if there was a burn ordinance in town. She was told there was, but camp fires were OK. After hearing more about the situation, Schrerer said he would have code enforcement check into the situation.