SYRACUSE, Ind. — Syracuse Town Council members were told Tuesday night that the town’s $7 million new wastewater treatment plant is up and running with no major problems.
Josh Weaver, construction engineer for Elkhart-based Wightman-Petrie, the engineering firm overseeing the project, told the council that the work is “substantially complete.”
Weaver added, however, that there is a list of items that still need to be addressed by the two major contractors, Caldwell Tanks and Thieneman Construction.
He suggested the council withhold $10,000 from Caldwell’s final payment and $40,000 from Thieneman’s as an incentive for them to finish everything soon. The town has paid all but 10 percent, which amounts to $250,000 due to Thieneman and $93,000 to Caldwell.
Council member Brian Woody felt the balances should be held until the project is 100 percent complete. “We just paid $7 million and there’s still $50,000 of work to be done yet,” he said.
After a short discussion, the council voted to pay half of the balance owed now and the remainder when the project is 100 percent complete, which would be a payment of $171,500.
FEMA Aid
More good news came from Town Manager Henry DeJulia, who reported that the Federal Emergency Management Agency will probably repay all of what the town spent to repair a broken levy two months ago that flooded several businesses and roadways.
He also said that three “very large” trees will be removed in the newly annexed Forest Park Addition so that emergency and service equipment can get down the road. The council approved $1,925 to pay for the tree removal.
DeJulia continued the good news with the announcement that Syracuse’s Community Development Block Grant received a $75,000 matching grant for home repairs and improvements for local residents. DeJulia said the $150,000 would be enough to do major repairs and improvements to about 20 homes.
Save the Depot
Another grant was presented to the town on behalf of the Save the Depot Committee.
Todd Zeiger, manager of the Historic Landmarks Foundation was on hand with a $2,500 grant to help with matching grant monies the Committee is trying to raise to move the old CSX train depot building.
He also reported that last month the foundation arranged for a group of students from Ball State University, Muncie, to come to Syracuse and film a promotional video at the train station.
The video production should be complete next month and ready to use for advertising this project.
Other matters
In other business:
• The council approved the police department’s new standard operating procedures manual, with two changes recommended by Town Marshal Tony Cierello.
Council president Larry Siegel asked, “What happens if they aren’t followed?”
Cierello said that discipline would depend on the severity of the violation and would be according to the town’s employee handbook.
• Superintendent of Parks and Recreation Chad Jonsson announced that parks officials would sponsor and host an Arbor Day Celebration at Syracuse Elementary School April 25 from 9 to 10:30 a.m.
• Clint Houseworth, public works superintendent, reported that the bridge replacement on Lakeside Drive, which has closed that road for two months, will not be completed by the due date of April 20 due to the bad weather.
However, contractor Primco of Fort Wayne plans to have the road open by then but it will probably be with limestone rather than asphalt until the weather improves enough to pour the asphalt.
Council members Cassie Cowan and Woody were appointed to the newly established fire territory executive board.
The fire territory will serve all of Turkey Creek Township and calls for two members from the Town Council, two members from the Township Board and one person appointed by the fire department to serve on the board.
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