During the Turkey Creek Township Advisory Board meeting Monday night, three probationary firefighters were promoted to career firefighters. Shown from left are Brian Nassar, Tyler Schmucker and Matt Maher. Photo By Lauren Zeugner.

By Lauren Zeugner
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE — The mood during the Turkey Creek Township Advisory Board meeting Monday night, Sept. 8, turned bittersweet at the end. After swearing in Matt Maher, Brian Nasser and Tyler Schmucker to career firefighters, Fire Chief Mickey Scott announced he was retiring at the end of the year. His last shift will be Dec. 8.

Scott has been in the fire service for 36 years, 25 of them as chief.

“Thirty-six years of service to the community is great service. We appreciate it,” said Matt Dunithan, advisory board president.

The board moved to accept Scott’s retirement letter, which was approved unanimously.

“It’s time,” Scott said. “Thank you for accepting the letter.”

Shown is Brooke Nassar pinning Brian Nassar’s badge on after his swearing in. Behind him are his children, Jude and Quinn. Photo by Lauren Zeugner.

The meeting started on a happier note with Steve Snyder, township attorney, swearing in Maher, Nasser and Schmucker. After officially being sworn in, their wives, Bridget Maher, Brooke Nasser and Kyla Schmucker, had the honor of pinning their badges onto their uniforms.

Joe Cazier, township trustee, took the board through the first reading of the 2026 budget. The budget estimate is: rainy day, $140,698; general fund, $793,004; township assistance, $62,000; special fire protection territory-general, $2,819,780; and special fire protection territory equipment replacement, $2,712,260, for a total of $6,536,742.

The maximum estimated funds to be raised is $3,038,142 and the current tax levy provides $2,875,040.

Cazier noted some of the numbers presented were big due to the capital improvement plan being developed. He is recommending the entire $140,698 in the rainy day fund be used for cemetery rehabilitation and restoration. He provided a photo from one of the cemeteries dating back to the early 1900s. The stones have fallen over, broken or if flat, been overgrown with vegetation.

Attorney Steve Snyder, left, swears in Tyler Schmucker. Photo by Lauren Zeugner.

Cazier noted he would like more money in reserves, but doesn’t want 30% going to roads. An additional $16,000 will be earmarked for survey work and fencing for the cemeteries, fencing at the fire training center at Station II, purchasing an EP gear cleaner, ladder truck wrap and new workout equipment.

The township advisory board will have a special meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24, in Syracuse Town Hall to further discuss the capital improvement plan.

John Heckaman reported he is still working on public easements. He spoke to Terry Rookstool, who is willing to help. Snyder provided an email to Dunithan regarding a property owner’s pier overlapping a public access point. The pier will be moved next year.

Bridget Mahar, right, pins a badge on her husband, Matt’s uniform after he is sworn in as a career fiire fighter. The couple’s children, Maeve and CJ were also in attendance. Photo by Lauren Zeugner.

In discussion from the board, Dunithan noted the fire territory was formed in 2009 and since then there is confusion regarding the fire territory, Syracuse Fire Department and Syracuse Fire Department LLC. Dunithan would like to pull all three entities under one umbrella. He asked Snyder if it can be done. Cazier noted most trustees in the state handle volunteer fire department stuff. Snyder said he will provide the board with what the statue offers.