The Mail-Journal, Volume 29, Number 32, Milford, Kosciusko County, 19 September 1990 — Page 1

The - »ilLi •Journal

Milford 658-4111 & Syracuse 457-3666

VOLUME 29

Syracuse to pursue 3-phase plan for storm-sewer improvements

I By MARK HUFFMAN Staff Writer Audience participation was the name of the game in Syracuse Monday night, as over 20 residents crowded the Syracuse Town Hall to air various concerns during the monthly town council meeting. The council elicited some support from the crowd after agreeing to pursue a three-phase plan for storm-sewer improvements to alleviate flooding in the Benton Street area. Kim Bickel, project manager from Bonar & Associates, Fort Wayne, outlined a plan that would provide a connection to existing storm sewage and provide a new outfall in a sector of Carroll Street, extending west two blocks to Turkey Creek and extending down Dolan Drive one block south of Carroll Street. The second phase involves the replacement of the existing storm sewer from Huntington Street to Dolan Drive, one block south of Carroll Street. Phase three, the largest part of the project, involves the extension of storm sewage down Carroll Street from Lake Street to Dolan Drive, where it would connect to a relief sewer. Council member Carl Myrick made a motion to proceed with phases one and two of the project as fast as possible, noting, “We need to do something to speed this up.’’ The council agreed to proceed with the plans to research possible funding and letting of bids. Phase one would cost the town approximately $104,100, according to the study, while phase two is approximately $50,280 and phase three is $141,912. In other business, the council instructed department heads to work together to attempt to employ five part-time employees for a month-long period. The measure is being taken to save the town money on insurance. Council president James Hughes noted that the town may save up to SIO,OOO, after costs, if it hires five employees to work 17>/ 2 hours a week for one month. The measure will change the status of the town with its insurance company and qualify it for cheaper Unsightly Railing Lodging a complaint, town resident Betty Dust asked that the town consider repainting a railing on a footbridge near her

■ *' * r i : ■ 3 t:~ KfwJ'Si MUiA «6B? ►«<*•*' **’ w / , ‘/Tifa. _ $ J «■ B I- » H WBfcA ! < ""WK *'* AmMlw. DONATES FENCE — Chet Elder, Syracuse, through a subsidiary company of Elder Real Estate, Custom Components, donated material, time and labor to erect a chain link fence at the Syracuse Dam. The fence was erected after concern was expressed on children walking across the spill-way and playing in the water above the dam, which was accessible from a cemented deck area at Crosson Park. Elder, who also observed the dangers, volunteered to donate the fence and labor. He stated the fence is welded together at critical areas, making it one piece and sturdy. Shown in the photo are Barb Carwile, town council liaison on matters concerning the dam; Elder; and Dan “Boon” Smith, who installed the fence. (Photo by Deb Patterson)

home, noting, “I thought we were trying to beautify the town, not make it ugly.’’ Dust was upset that the railing had been painted “fire hydrant yellow” and said she would pay to have it repainted. Hughes instructed Street Superintendent Ron Conley to work out a solution with Dust. Dale Kern, South Main Street, queried the council about a solution to illegal parking on Main and South Sigbee Street, where congestion is causing problems for residents in that area. Police Chief Robert Ziller agreed to patrol the area more and look into other possible solutions. In a related matter, the council adopted an ordinance prohibiting parking on South Main Street, from Mill Street to Boston Street, due to increased industrial and commercial traffic in the area. Meanwhile, parking in the lower lot across from the library was changed from two-hour parking to all-day parking to allow business owners a place to park. However, parking will still be illegal from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. The measure passed despite a dissenting vote from Myrick, who quipped, “There goes your parking. Parking will be full all day long.” The council also acted on a petition from Syracuse resident Mark Chaney that had been submitted last month. The petition requested a stop sign at the corner of Maple Grove and a northsouth alley. After discussion, the council approved the installation of signs for both north and southbound traffic from the alley. Another resident expressed concern about parking near the intersection of South Huntington and Boston streets, noting that parked vehicles often obstruct the view of those pulling from Boston Street. The resident asked that a sign prohibiting parking “from here to the curb” be moved further from the street. Conley and Ziller were asked to look into the matter. Chipper Purchase Approved Acting on a matter tabled from an earlier meeting, the council unanimously approved to allow the purchase of a Badger wood chipper for $13,648. The street department will use the chipper, designed to decrease the amount of time and fuel currently used for brush collection. Conley was also granted permission to look into alternative financing for a new street department building. Noting that the Indiana Bond Bank does finance new construction, Conley asked

Consolidation of THE MILFORD MAIL (Est. 1888) and THE SYRACUSE-WAWASEE JOURNAL (Est. 1907)

that he be granted approval to submit an application inquiring about such financing. Reporting for the police department, Ziller introduced Ron Pollock, a new reserve who recently completed his required 100 hours of police work. The Syracuse resident will give Ziller his required number of reserves. The police department addressed 195 complaints in August, investigating 13 accidents and responding to a total of 326 calls. The department logged 4,652 miles during the month. The dispatchers’ office handled 2,355 calls in August and extended 459 courtesies. Reporting for the clerk’s office,

At Syracuse — Dog’s death brings grief, outrage

I By MARK HUFFMAN Staff Writer Labeling an apology by Syracuse Police Chief Robert Ziller as “half-hearted,” Syracuse resident Pennie Detwiler is still seeking justice for the August 29 shooting of her 13-year-old miniature Pomeranian named “Missy.” That justice could come in the form of a lawsuit against the town, Detwiler admitted in an interview Tuesday. “It may come to that. We’ve talked to a few lawyers,” she said. Saying that the Syracuse Town Council failed on its part to take any action for the shooting, Detwiler claimed that Ziller was wrong in ordering Officer James Felkner to shoot the dog after it was found running loose August 29. Ziller stated in a prepared report to the Syracuse Town Council Monday that he thought the dog had mange —a contagious skin disease caused by parasitic mites and characterized by itching and loss of hair — and feared that the disease could be spread to other animals and Syracuse residents. He stated, “The dog did not appear to have a jaw and the hair on the back half of the body was missing, indicating that it might have the mange.” Detwiler countered, noting that the dog had been shaved due to a

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19,1990

Clerk-treasurer Elgie Tatman noted that new addresses should be mailed to town residents by the end of this week, prompting Conley to inquire who would have to pay for the purchase of new street signs. Tatman was instructed to look into the matter. County officials are requesting that residents place their new addresses on their mailboxes and affix their house numbers to their houses. The Syracuse Post Office will forward mail from old addresses for one year. Noting that sewer, water, EMS, and clerk billing was overloading the current computer in the clerk’s office, Tatman requested and was granted approval of a

flea bite allergy. She also noted that the dog was old (13 years, 11 months) and had lost its teeth as a result, causing the lower jaw to curl in. “It had been like that for one to l>/ 2 years and was able to eat and was healthy,’’ she said. A written report by Elkhart veterinarian T.W. McNeill, done after he examined the remains of the dog on August 30, confirmed that the dog did not have mange. It stated: “The dog had a history of flea bite allergy and had the typical hair loss of that condition. Skin scrapings of the area revealed no mange mites.’’ However, Ziller contended that when he found the dog, at the rear of a garage at 513 S. Harrison St., it was staggering and “looked as though it may have been in a fight.” Ziller said that he called for the dog catcher but the dispatcher stated that he wasn’t at home so he (Ziller) began to follow the dog to the corner of South Harrison and Henry streets. “The dog started to walk east on Henry Street along the curb so at this time I went to the fire station to get the dog catcher’s truck,” the chief reported. On the way to the station Ziller noted that he spotted Felkner and Detective Robert Houser in a squad car, so he asked Felkner to help him “catch an injured dog.” After relocating the dog in the 400 block of South Harrison Street, Ziller said he placed a rope around it and put it into a cage in the rear of the van. After proceeding to the dog pound, the chief stated, “I looked the dog over and determined that he was in pain. I asked Officer Felkner to shoot the dog at this time.” He adds, “I assumed that the dog must have gotten his jaw into something or gotten into a fight with some other animal and had his jaw yanked off. You could see his tongue hanging and he appeared to be in pain. I thought at this time that it would be the humane thing to do.” Ziller said that Detwiler had indicated to him that the dog’s lower jaw had been surgically removed, noting, “Anyone who says this is a humane thing to do to a 14-year-old dog, to me, is wrong.”

Dr. Meyers is still seeing

new computer. The computer will be purchased by funds from those respective departments at a cost of $2,695. In a final matter, Hughes expressed concern about skateboarding on town streets and property, saying, “Before something happens to a kid I’d like to see skateboarding banned on the streets.” After discussion, the council agreed to pursue an ordinance outlawing skateboarding on town property, including streets. Town attorney Robert Reed was instructed to draft an ordinance for the next regular meeting, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16.

Detwiler demurred, “I said no such thing. The jaw was not surgically removed.” However, the Pomeranian did have two hip surgeries (1986 and 1987) and had knee surgery in 1978, accounting for the “staggered” walk. Contending that Ziller could have made more of an effort to find the dog’s owners, Detwiler’s boyfriend, Don Burkholder, who first noticed the dog missing shortly after letting him out of his house at 601 S. Harrison St., stated, “The law says that he must hold the dog for three days, after which time it may be taken to the humane society if the owner is not found.” However, Ziller stated that the condition of the dog appeared to present an immediate danger. “I’m a dog lover and I wouldn’t shoot a dog that I didn’t think needed shot,” he said, adding, “I have to act on my decision. I can't.have every dog checked (with a veterinarian) that comes in. I swear to God I thought it had been in a serious accident.” Council President James Hughes ended discussion on the matter at the Monday night meeting after both parties began disputing one another’s claims, a situation that angered Detwiler. “I had never been to a council meeting and didn’t know what to expect, but I was hoping that he (Ziller) would be reprimanded,” she said. While Ziller said he had made repeated apologies to Detwiler and Burkholder and contended, “I honestly thought I did what was best for the dog,” the Syracuse couple contends that discrepancies in the police report cause them to wonder if the apologies are sincere. “He didn’t tell the truth in (the) report. He just wrote it to cover himself to keep from being sued,” Burkholder claimed, adding, “I talked to the guy who told him where the dog was — they (Ziller and Felkner) didn’t chase her or follow her anywhere. The dog wasn’t gone for more than one hour before he (had her) shot.” Detwiler has appealed to the American Kennel Club, where the dog was registered, and the Humane Society of the U.S., hoping to have the matter investigated. In the meantime, the owner continues to lament the loss of the dog she received as a gift while still a teen-ager. “She would’ve been 14 on October 1. As far as I’m concerned, he destroyed years of my life.” Milford Lions plan annual Halloween party The Milford Lions Club met Monday evening in the Milford Community Building. Leading the business meeting discussion was the annual October Halloween party. Committee members appointed to outline this year’s activities were Kent Doty, Tom Sorensen and Bud lyGuests attending the meeting were Jerry Bethel and Laurel Nissley, both of Milford.

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TCRSD moves forward — Committee established to set up rules, regulations

I By MARY JANE LORTON Staff Writer Upon the recommendation of attorney Dick Green, the Turkey Creek Regional Sewer District took an initial step toward setting up rules and regulations for the operation of the district. With no established deadline, a committee was appointed to research and introduce guidelines for the district. Dr. V. Logan Love chaired Monday evening’s meeting in the absence of the board’s president, Robert Jones. Love informed the trustees that Jones will miss the next three meetings as he is currently teaching a class that meets on Monday evenings. With the concurrence of Jones, Love enumerated those who will make up the rules and regulations committee: Gerry Dehner, TCRSD trustee; L.D. Hayner, TCRSD trustee; Rita Ball, project coordinator; and Vai Duggins, superintendent. Dehner will chair the group. Though no time limit was given to the committee, Dehner commented, “We want to be as expedient as possible.” Engineer’s Report Updating the district on the progress of construction, district engineer Ray Kocher reported that work is advancing “quite smoothly” on the sewer and at the new treatment facility. Equipment installation is underway, and for the most part complete, the engineer added. Manufacturers will be testing the plant’s equipment on September 27 and 28. Noting the temporary road closings in various areas in the district, Kocher remarked, “it’s unfortunate. . .we have to inconvenience people, but there's no way of putting in sewers without cutting up the streets.” Restoration is underway in many areas of the district. “That

(pavement restoration) will help alleviate dust problems,” Kocher explained. Concluding his report, Kocher noted U.S. EP A did approve the district’s grant amendment application as of August 22. In addition, the district is still waiting for its sludge disposal permit. It is anticipated that the district will not receive approval prior to December 1. Public Comment With the presence of contractors and on site engineering representatives at the session, the district was better able to address questions posed during the public portion of the meeting. Referring to an individual's connection to the system from one’s home, Bill Angert asked, “As long as it’s inspected, can we do it ourselves?” Kocher responded affirmatively, adding, he would not advise running individual lines until the property’s septic tank is in place. “You'd be shooting in the dark without the tank in there,” he remarked. The size of the line and other pertinent information with respect to installation is available at the TCRSD office. Speaking for residents living on Marine Key Drive, Terry Heinig informed that he and neighbors were experiencing difficulties parking in their own driveways. Cars have reportedly been sinking into the mud. As a result, residents have had to call wrecker services to pull out the entrenched automobiles. A contractor answered that he was made aware of the problem, but added, he has not been notified that this has been occurring as of late. Heinig also inquired when roads in Marineland Gardens would be repaired. He was told that a clean-up crew has been moving through the area putting stone down. The roads will be chip and sealed in the spring. Expressing displeasure with the news that Marine Key Drive

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will not be paved, Heinig remarked, “you might as well just gravel it.” “Marine Key Drive was a good solid road before,” he added, “now it’s all broken up.” Trustee Joe Todd disputed Heinig’s assertion that the road was not just “chip and sealed” before. “Let’s face it, we get yelled at all the time for spending too much money. Then when someone else’s ox is getting gored we get yelled at again. We can’t put a road in that wasn’t there before. . .we don’t have carte blanche to do it,” Todd said, adding, “there’s no such thing as ‘something for nothing.’ ” Todd suggested that Heinig meet with contractors working in this area to discuss a feasible solution for both the residents and contractors. Kocher explained that the contractors are to restore the roads to their original conditions (before construction). Contractors’ bids are based on replacement units and they are restricted to that, added Green. Responding to a residents’ question about why the Ogden Island road is being paved, Green explained contractors decided they can, for the same dollars, effect a better job by paving the road since it was cut up so badly. Contractors received authorization for paving from the county and are not receiving any additional funds for this work. In other business, Dehner asked that contractors provide a list of residents requiring pumps. Stressing that this effort would not be sanctioned by the board, Dehner suggested setting up a central buying location so that those requiring pumps could get a discount when purchasing them. The next regular session of the district will be Monday, Oct. 15. Meetings of the district begin at 7:30 p.m. and are conducted in the Syracuse Town Hall.