Syracuse Town Council members, Cindy Kaiser, left, Paul Stoelting and Bill Musser chat prior to the start of the Syracuse Town Council’s October meeting held Tuesday, Oct. 21. Photo by Lauren Zeugner

By Lauren Zeugner
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE — With David Wilkinson, town manager; Nathan Scherer, town council president; and Larry Siegel, town council members who were absent, and Cindy Kaiser, vice president, turned to Brent Randall, executive director of the Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce, to discuss proposed gateway signs during Syracuse Town Council’s regular meeting Tuesday night, Oct. 21.

Randall spoke in favor of the signs, while noting they were expensive. He told the council the chamber is in support of the signs as a salute to the community. An individual, who owns his own marketing firm and has a house on the lake, provided the designs for gateway signs to be installed at the north and south end of town.

Councilman Paul Stoelting said he wasn’t committed to the design saying he liked the sign currently at the north end of town. He also felt the gateway sign discussion should be tabled until Wilkinson and the full council was in attendance.

Councilman Bill Musser said $120,000 for the signs was expensive, especially when there would be less money coming in next year. Like Stoelting he also likes the current sign at the north end of town.

“I can’t see spending that kind of money at this time,” he said.

Kaiser, who is also on the beautification committee, acknowledged the signs were expensive, but thought they would also be good for the town especially if they last for decades; however, she too agreed with Stoelting the discussion should be tabled until everyone was available. Musser then made a motion to table the discussion, which was passed.

Kaiser held a second public hearing on the 2026 budget. With no comment from the public, the council moved to accept the 2026 budget as presented.

The council approved an agreement with MIchiana Area Council of Governments for professional grant administrative services.

Diana Clark was appointed to serve on the Syracuse Public Library board. In public comments at the start of the meeting, Jon Gaskill, the new library director, introduced himself and thanked the council for considering Clark for the library board.

The council approved a task order for design work and bidding for resurfacing work next year. Streets that will have portions resurfaced include: Oak Street, Pittsburg Street, Front Street, Henry Street, Harrison Street, North Shore Drive, Palm Drive, Walnut Street, Parkway Street, Carol Street and several alleys. Kern Road will also have survey work done and identify a right of way as it will be widened slightly on the curve.

The task order covers preliminary and final designs, bidding and hourly engineering on the project. Mark Aurich, public works director, told the council he will be doing a lot of the engineering work on the project with Commonwealth Engineering available to assist. The council approved the task order not to exceed $142,625.

In department reports, Musser asked Police Chief Jim Layne if he would be asking to replace a 2018 squad car with high mileage in the near future. There was some discussion as several police vehicles have over 100,000 miles on them. Layne explained one is a backup car, while the other two are pickup trucks. He noted the pickup trucks seem to be holding up better than the squad cars.

The council approved an inter-local agreement between the police department and the county, which provides the police department with access to the NCIC database. The cost is $5,790.75.

In the public works report, Aurich reported in late 2023/early 2024, the street department was working on purchasing a vactor trailer for hydro-excavating. There was a 2023 agreement to purchase the tractor from a Fort Wayne equipment supply company for $189,000. Aurich canceled the contract after not being able to take delivery on the tractor after two years. He requested using the encumbered funds, plus an additional $52,000, to purchase a truck- mounted vactor unit from Brown Equipment, which will not require a commercial drivers license. The council approved a cost not to exceed $279,500 with delivery in three weeks.

Town Attorney Jay Rigdon suggested the possibility of recouping the difference in the cost of the two pieces of equipment by suing the original supplier. Aurich said he would be willing to discuss the matter.

The council approved the 2026 water and wastewater budgets. Aurich told the council he shifted some money around, while keeping the increases to a minimum.

The Turkey Creek Fire Territory requested the council approve spending $5,000 on new turnout gear. Battalion Chief Robert Tinkey is retiring at the end of the month. Tinkey has served the community for 35 years. A retirement party will be held for him from 4-7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7, at Station I.

In the Syracuse Redevelopment Commission held prior to the town council meeting, Aurich reported he purchased a new solar light for trial in the Syracuse Technology Park. While the light worked just fine, the remote did not so he is looking for another option.