The Mail-Journal, Volume 15, Number 17, Milford, Kosciusko County, 17 May 1978 — Page 2

THE MAIL-JOURNAL —Wed., May 17,1978

2

Town manager for Syracuse?

The possibility of hiring a town manager for Syracuse was discussed at some length at Tuesday night’s meeting of the Syracuse Town Board of Trustees. James C. Tranter, board member, wrote a letter to the editor last week (see May 16, Mail-Journal), expressing a need for a town manager. In this letter he states, “There is no reason that a town should not be run on a business basis and every business has a manager. A town manager would be a person who is readily available to all persons of the community for any need, street repair, police work, fire protection, sewer or water needs, garbage and trash collection and much more ... a town manager would be able to control the activities of all town personnel so that every one is going in the same direction with the same goal in mind: TO MAKE SYRACUSE A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE AND RAISE A FAMILY.” In response to this letter, Mrs. Betty Dust, clerk-treasurer, read a statement from the clerktreasurer's office which states, “It is evident that Mr. Tranter would have the community believe that everything and all departments cease to function when board members leave for work in the morning until they return in the evening. NOT SO! The people of this community can attest to the fact that the majority of their complaints and concerns which have to do with the normal services, for which policy has already been set by the • board, are handled by the office of the clerk-treasurer.” The statement continues, “We do not wish to concern ourselves on the part of this office as to the need for a town manager but do want to point out that we feel that Mr. Tranter is too lightly passing over the services provided by this office.” Mayor Instead Os Manager In stating her personal opinion, CALLANDER INSURANCE All Forms Os Personal And Business Insurance 155 W. Market* Phone 773-4103 Nappanee "TRY US ON FOR SIZE 0 MEN WOMEN AAA AA A 5A 4A 3A 8 18 7 17 5 17 7 12 5 13 5 13 3 C D AA B C 518 517 5)7 4S-14 314 413 E 2E 3E DE 2E 3E 5 16 5 16 5 16 4 13 3 13 4 13 515 513 611 Shoes A thru EEEE • Bass • Dexter • Hush Puppies • Adidas • Red Wing • Porto Ped • Wright • Converse • Red Cross • Cobblers • Trotters • Tretorn • Child Life • Wolverine • Grasshoppers • Nurse Mates • Sebago • Top Siders • Ped win • Fleet Air • Pro Keds • Evans • Nunn Bush • Roblee • Herbst • Mossagic • Ticos • Doc s • Mellow Mates • Viner • Bear Traps • Frye • Stacy Adams • Bostonians • Nettle ton • Penal|O • Dunham • Cobbies • Morgan Quinn MasterOwryViwAmeriam Express Doug Pilcher Shoe Store 219/457-3662- Open b Dan, 9 to 6 106 S. Huntington St. (S.R. 13) Syracuse, IN 46567

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Mrs. Dust commented, “I feel that the members of this board were elected to do a job and if you see fit to change duties in this matter, it should be a referendum vote in the next election. If there is a need to change this, I would personally see this be in the form of a mayor. If you turn over control of the working departments, you are giving your control of all departments to one man.” Tranter replied by saying Syracuse has some problems. These include: Grant programs — grants are available, but sometimes it is not known how to go about getting them; insurance premiums — these are high sometimes, a town manager could check on them; and questions and complaints from residents — often come to town board members who are not available or who don’t have the answers. He also said, “We really don’t have a program which ties all the departments together.” John Cripe, board member, agreed with Tranter saying it is often a hassle serving on the board. He said, “I think there’s a need for coordination of departments. I don’t think we as board members are able to effectively coordinate. Pressure should be taken off some members of the board.” In anticipation of this discussion, Robert Reed, town attorney, read a state statute defining what a town manager is. It states, “The town manager shall be the administrative head of the town government and shall devote such time to this work. . . The town manager shall be responsible to the board of trustees for the proper administration of all the affairs of the town which the board of trustees has authority to control.” Mrs. Dust next wanted to know about salary. Tranter said he, contacted various towns having a town manager with salaries ranging from $6,700 to $14,500. He added hiring a town manager is only in the research stage, to get tQwnspeople feedback. The manager would probably not even be hired this year. In case a referendum is decided on br to change the town to a city, Reed said one-third majority of the registered voters would have to sign a petition. The vote would then be on the referendum and be decided by a majority vote. To be a fifth class city, a town needs a population of 1,500 or more people. The city would then have a mayor, board of works which takes care of the actual workings of the town, and a city council which would set policy and approve the budget. Residents Give Views Several residents present gave their views. David McGrew said, “I’m 100 per cent for it. We need somebody.” Paul Isbell commented, “Where you’re going to get a competent businessman for S6JOO a year I don’t know, it will be at least $lB-19,000. You need a complete businessman.” Darrel Grisamer and Clifford Nicodemus, the last two board members, also gave their opinions. Grisamer said, “Something is definitely needed.” Nicodemus stated, “I think we need it.” It was decided more feedback is needed from town residents.

Reed will draw up a draft defining different town systems for possible publication in area newspapers describing what the board is considering. He will then bring this back to the board. Ask 14.1% — (Continued from page 1) “Cost of living increase August 1972-August 1977 — 45.8 per cent; Increase in B.S. starting salary same period — 26.4 per cent; Increase in B.S. top salary — 27.9 per cent; Increase in M.S. starting salary — 27.3 per cent; Increase in M.S. top salary — 30.9 per cent. “On those occasions, therefore, when more money is available for teachers’ salaries, we feel justified in asking for and receiving increases that may, for that particular year, exceed the rate of increase in the cost of living.” Mediano — (Continued from page 1) Miller on that point, but he left the executive session last Wednesday night believing that things could be worked out. He said the town has had a “super” police force and before the town lost a couple of good men, the board should try to talk with them and work something out. Last week’s story in The MailJournal on the executive session slated for last Wednesday night was part of the conversation. Dr. Miller said he was disappointed that things got blown out of proportion because of one newspaper story, but that the talk in the town as early as last Monday was whether or not Mediano s would resign. Discussion of the matter followed with Brooks, Dr. Miller, Mrs. Glen Treesh and E. C. Bailey participating. George Hartter attended the meeting and offered his services to the town, until a permanent marshal could be obtained. He has a background of police work both in Milford and with the Elkhart City Police Force. Currently, the county police are covering the town. Dr. Miller proposed having a man drive the police car, possibly Hartter or James Joyce, who has been assisting the police department. Business scheduled for the special session, the acceptance of bids for street repair, was next. Phend and Brown of Milford subnfitted the only bid. The total project will be $15,100 for four streets. The bid was accepted and the company authorized to begin work. The project will consist of Fourth Street from Main, 150 feet,™ to have the pavement removed, excavated, bad base removed, six-inch new base put in, plus a three-inch binder and one-inch surface. Resurfacing of Fourth and Elm Streets will start at Fourth, 120 feet east of Maple to Elm, then Elm from Fourth to and including the intersection of Catherine Street. The work will include making the existing gravel base 20 feet wide and six inches deep, covered by a twoinch surface. A one and one-half inch resurfacing will go on the Syracuse Road to the old state road 15. The final section will be James Street to Smith to the Syracuse Road. The pavement will be removed and the bad base excavated, and six inches of new base and two inches of surface will be applied. * Dr. Miller said he has not been able to talk with the county highway department about working out some work on Shaffer Street. Brooks said both men employed under the CETA program would like to continue working for the town. The program ends the end of the month and one of the men could be employed under another CETA program and both men retained if the town would hire the second man. Dr. Miller said another man had expressed an interest in working for the town to fill the position of street and water commissioner. Interviews will be scheduled for next Monday afternoon with all three men in an executive meeting of the board. Nine — (Continued from page 1) the other three will remain as four. Robert Reed, town attorney, will draw an ordinance to this effect. Board members said the reason for this change is “our concern is not to get five new people on the board at the same

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time.” A letter was read from the U.S. Postal Service concerning a new post office location in town. The postal service requested board approval on a site located at the intersection of North Harrison Street and SR 13, just south of Syracuse Enterprises Plant 2. James Tranter, board member, spoke out against the site stating, “we’re creating a serious traffic problem. Everyone will have to drive to get mail. It is a detriment. It will not help Syracuse in any way.” The board agreed with Tranter. A letter will be sent to the postal service listing the board’s objections. Several other letters of resignation were accepted. Larry T. Shook resigned from the park board for “personal reasons.” Charles L. Hapner resigned from the park board advisory board. In his letter, Hapner spoke out against the park board’s decision to hire Buck Sanders to mow the parks this summer. He said, “I had what I considered a solution to three problems in the hiring of young people to mow the parks .. But my biggest decision is the manner in which this decision was handled. I expected no more than the opportunity to present the plan and completely explain it to the park board ... it was completely embarrassing to me to read of the decision in the newspaper without having the chance to explain my plan ... I might also suggest that in the future those people who are asked to serve are given a clear description of their duties and the manner in which their recommendations will be handled.” John Nemeth, park board president, said Hasher was given the chance to present his plan at a park board meeting, but was unable to do so due to lack of attendance. He and board members also agreed that leaving the cleaning and mowing of the parks to students would present some problems. Nine reported the Girl Scouts declined to run the concession stand at the town park this summer. No other non-profit organizations have shown any interest. The board decided to advertise for bids on running the stand, to be opened in a special meeting May 30. Included in the bids, will be cleaning of the park and park restrooms. Restrooms had to be closed last summer due to excessive vandalism. Also at the May 30 meeting, bids will be opened for resurfacing work on three streets in town — north-south street immediately adjacent on the east to SR 13 from Augsburger’s Supermarket to Palm Drive; Seventh Street from the B& O Railroad to Chicago Street; and Pickwick,Road from SR 13 to CR 530E. Three types of bids with alternates will be accepted for single seal, chip and seal; double seal, chip and seal; and 3 inch asphaltic concrete pavement. Pat Bartow was reappointed to the park board. There is now one vacancy due to the resignation of Shook. More Business Three ordinances were approved regarding recommendations from the traffic committee. These include: making Medusa Court one-way going north; enforce 15 minute parking limit Pearl Street next to the post office; and making a , four-way stop at the intersection of Carroll Street and Dolan Drive. Nine will send a letter of recommendation to the state requesting no parking on South Huntington Street from Parkway

Drive to the bridge. A total of $306 overtime was approved for Robert Farber, assistant street and water commissioner, for work done during flooding problems at the water treatment plant. A total of 100 hours were worked. Board members expressed dissatisfaction with the way overtime is being paid and discussed changing the way salaries are set up next year. Cripe said, “I don’t like this arrangement for doing this. I don’t like the idea for setting aside some money and then doling it out in some special situation.” A claim for Bradberry Brothers, totaling $17,113.78 was finally approved. This claim was approved pending Harley Conrad’s signature at a meeting April 25. Conrad, street and water commissioner, still hasn’t signed the Claim because he is dissatisified with the way the sewage plant is operating. The board felt the claim was just saying, “If there’s some specific thing Harley isn’t satisfied with, fine. Everything was discussed to our satisfaction at the last meeting.” A total of $660 was authorized for the fire department to purchase two protective coats and six pairs of boots. At the April meeting, it was only thought $350 had been appropriated. After double checking, it was discovered SBOO had been appropriated for this type of equipment in the budget. Another coat, damaged in a fire, will be submitted to the insurance company to be replaced. Mileage for town trucks was changed from 15 cents a mile to 17 cents. Under the street, work is approximately 70 per cent completed for the water meter hook-up in town. Tom Leonard of

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Argonaut Realty has been notified that unless he brings his sewer line around to the front of the Medusa Street pumping station, he will be plugged up after June 1. The board will advertise for bids for sewer hook-up along Pickwick Road from SR 13 to CR 530E. A letter will be sent to the Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission saying, “if and . when” is available, sewer can be hooked up on a plot of land Joe Schrock is developing outside of town just west of Maxwelton Golf Course. Schrock was present and brought this request before the board. Concerning sewer hook-up for Oakwood Park this will have to go before the state board of health. Don Scearce submitted plans for hook-up which Town Engineer Jerry Lessig went over. He said the hook-up looks fine, there might be a few problems with the flow. There will not be any expense to the town if hookup is approved by the state board. It was brought to Lessig’s and the town’s attention there are no fire hydrants along Parkway Drive, Dolan Drive or Medusa Street. The fire department will make a list of all places hydrants are needed to get some installed before all work is completed on the water project. May 19 and 20 were proclaimed Poppy Days. The board will contact the state to see about sweeping SR 13 as requested by David McGrew. The purchase of 12 file cabinets for the town hall for $360 was approved. At the next meeting, May 30, at 8 p.m., the board, Turkey Creek Township Trustee Joseph Shewman and his advisory board, plus fire department officers, will go over specifications for a new pumping truck. The meeting will be open to the public.

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Southern office to open June 1

The Southern Office of the Legal Services Program of Northern Indiana, Inc., has announced that beginning June 1, it will serve poor persons residing in three additional counties. The program, which has provided free legal counsel, advice and representation to financially qualified individuals in Kosciusko, Marshall, Pulaski, Starke and Fulton counties since August of last year, will soon begin accepting clients from Cass, White and Miami Counties. The program has prepared for this increase of coverage by hiring attorney Shawn Rosscup. Rosscup, a • resident of Logansport and a graduate of the Valparaiso University School of Law, began her duties as a staff attorney on May 15. Within the near future, legal services will further expand its southern office staff to include four attorneys, Special workshop A workshop for farm equipment safety and emergency first aid will be held at New Paris Tractor Sales in the Industrial Park on SR 15 on Saturday, May 20, at 7:30 p.m., and is for all farm families, first 'aid and safety personnel that may be interested. A film is to be shown, followed by mechanical demonstrations and discussions. The workshop is sponsored by the Fairfield Assistance Safety Team.

two paralegals and two clerical workers. the Legal Services Program of Northern Indiana, Inc., provides assistance in civil areas of law only and is executively administered in its South Bend offices. The southern office of the program is located in Rochester and is managed by Verl L. Myers. Persons wishing to make an appointment with a staff worker may call the toll free number. H‘ Some people have believed the crops would grow as high as the farmer could jump. THE MAIL-JOURNAL Published by The Mail Journal every Wednesday and entered as Second Class matter at the Post Office at Syracuse. Indiana Publication No 125540. Second class postage paid at 103 E Mam street, Syracuse. Indiana 4*50? and at additional entry offices Subscription: $♦ per ydar in Kosciusko county; Sil outside county. mJ