Syracuse Town Councilman Larry Siegel, left, and Syracuse Police Chief Jim Layne go over some paperwork before the start of the Syracuse Town Council meeting Tuesday night, Feb. 18. Photo by Lauren Zeugner.

By Lauren Zeugner
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE —  The Syracuse Town Council set a record as it worked through the agenda for its regular meeting Tuesday night, Feb. 18. A motion to adjourn was made at approximately 15 minutes after the meeting was called to order.

The council held a public hearing regarding tax abatement for Aluminum Insights. There was no one from the public to comment on the request. Hearing no remonstrance the council approved a confirmatory resolution for Aluminum Insights to have tax abatement.

A public hearing was held regarding alley/street vacation at Urban Oaks. Ridgestone Development, which owns the property, is ready to move into phase II of the property’s development and requested the town vacate alleyways and streets which were platted but never constructed.

Residents who live in the Dolan and Miles Addition on Boston Street asked for information as to what exactly was Ridgestone asking for. They were concerned they would not be able to access their property. Terry Lang with Wightman, the architecture and engineering firm representing Ridgestone, explained the vacation request is for alleys and streets that were platted but never constructed. He explained the area was platted in 1898 and shortly afterwards the school and playground were built. The platted streets and alleys never existed. He reassured the homeowners they would be able to access their driveways.

Town Attorney Jay Rigdon asked if Ridgestone Development was the owner of the entire property. Lang said yes it was.

Christopher Harrison of Commonwealth Engineering, the town’s engineering firm, provided an update on several projects. Commonwealth is working on several grants for an upcoming water main project. Harrison did ask for support letters from the community and council for an Office of Community and Rural Affairs Grant application.

In department reports, there was no town manager or park department reports as David Wilkinson, town manager, and Chad Jonsson, park superintendent, were absent. Councilman Paul Stoelting and Councilwoman Cindy Kaiser were also absent from the meeting.

In the police report, Chief Jim Layne reported the department received a $20,000 grant from the Community Foundation to be used for new computers in the department’s squad cars. He requested an additional $40,435.35 to purchase 10 new computers for the squad cars. The council approved the request.

Mark Aurich, public works director, had no requests and the council had no questions regarding his report. Councilman Bill Musser did praise the street department saying they did a nice job clearing the streets of the recent snow and ice. After the meeting, Aurich did say the town pulled 50 water samples testing for lead. All of the samples were below detectable levels.

Fire Chief Mickey Scott requested approval to purchase seven sets of turnout gear with the cost not to exceed $30,000. The council approved the request. Scott said the turnout gear should be available to the fire fighters within six to eight weeks.

Musser asked if NIPSCO had been out to Station II yet. Scott said Ritter’s Electric needed to run power out to the new training facility before NIPSCO could come out.