RJ Plummer, left, is sworn in as a new Syracuse police officer by Jay Rigdon, town attorney during Tuesday night’s regular monthly meeting of the Syracuse Town Council. Looking on in the back are Councilwoman Cindy Kaiser. left, and Clerk-Treasurer Virginia Cazier. Photo by Lauren Zeugner.

By Lauren Zeugner
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE  — Jay Rigdon, Syracuse town attorney, swore in RJ Plummer as a new Syracuse Police officer during the Syracuse Town Council’s regular meeting Tuesday night, June 18.

Plummer is former Milford police officer with four years experience in law enforcement.

The council received one bid for trash collection from Borden Waste Away Service, its current trash collector.

Rigdon recommended taking the bid under advisement so copies can be made for council members and him to review.

Councilman Larry Siegel asked if the existing contract could be extended to the end of the year should the council decide to reject the bid and reopen the bidding process. Eric Ivory, account representative for Borden, said that decision would have be made by an internal team at Borden.

Greg Miller from Miller Insurance Group came to provide information regarding Syracuse police officers using take home cars for personal use.

The council had concerns about whether passengers in the police cars would be covered by the town’s insurance carrier.

Miller said the current insurance carrier, EMC, actively discourages take home cars being used for personal business or for passengers to be in the vehicles.

Selective Insurance allows passengers in municipal vehicles for an additional cost.

Selective Insurance stated it understood municipal vehicles would be used occasionally for personal business, but discouraged the long trips.

Councilmen Siegel, Bill Musser and Councilwoman Cindy Kaiser, said they approved the additional $10,000 cost to provide the benefit to police officers.

Council President Nathan Scherer questioned whether allowing take home vehicles to be used for personal business is really more beneficial than more pay as a recruitment tool for the department.

Police Chief Jim Layne explained the use of municipal vehicles benefits both the town and the officer.

“Moneywise, money is always good, but this is something we don’t offer that other departments do,” Layne said.

The council decided to continue researching the matter.

The council approved a number of tax abatements for local businesses finding them substantially compliant.

In his report, Town Manger David Wilkinson told the council bids for the Pearl Street project should be coming in soon. The deadline to submit a bid is July 2.

The council continued discussing a proposal from Servline Utility Protection Program which offers insurance from overages due to water leaks for a monthly fee of approximately $1.

After several minutes of discussion the council decided to continue researching the idea as they had several questions about how the program worked.

Kaiser asked Wilkinson to explain his idea for board walks. Wilkinson would like to put elevated board walks over the ditches between the access road and SR 13 in Wawasee Village.

The idea is the boardwalk would provide a safe pedestrian/bicycle path for people. The boardwalk would run from Chicago Street to Bowser Road.

Wilkinson estimates the project would cost between $2-$3 million. Grants are available and he’s working with the Syracuse-Wawasee Trails on how to implement the project.

The council approved spending $17,135.88 for 12 new bullet-resistant vests, carriers and flex badges for the police department.

Officers have also been out on patrol on an electric bike

Chad Jonsson, park superintendent, reported the 10th annual Mudtastic will be held this Saturday, June 22.

Surfacing material for the playground at Henry Ward Park will be put down this week. The playground should be ready for use next week.

Fire Chief Mickey Scott asked the council to approve a contract with Thompson Concrete for $26,400. The company will be laying concrete around the fire department’s annex building. The council approved the request and work is expected to start next week.

Turkey Creek Township Fire Territory is also working on establishing a fire-training facility behind Station II on McClintic Road, Syracuse.

Scott explained the facility will give the fire department an opportunity to train while “staying home.”

Milford, Cromwell and the Tippecanoe Township Fire Territory are also interested in using the facility when it’s ready.

In public comments, Mark Goodnight, a member of the lake patrol, thanked Jonsson for putting new buoys out to mark the swim area at Lakeside Park. He noted some boaters still need to be educated on keeping their personal watercraft or boats out of the swim area.

Wilkinson thanked Jonsson and Mark Aurich, public works superintendent, and their teams for their help with maintaining the new flower pots in Wawasee Village.