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Covering Milford, Syracuse & North Webster, Indiana Wednesday, December 27, 2023
One Nation Under God
Working Toward The Win Page 5
themail-journal.com
Turkey Creek Township Advisory Board accepts donation of land
NEW A G — It NIN BEGIN ning next gin be w ne a is rts week as the new year sta at ren ild Ch 1. Monday, Jan. d an l oo sch Pre gs nin New Begin dy rea Child Care in Milford are Hamish for 2024. Pictured is the at nt de Dixon, a stu oe Ph by oto Ph l. schoo be Muthart.
By LAUREN ZEUGNER Staff Writer In a brief special meeting, the Turkey Creek Township Advisory Board accepted the donation of .95 of an acre of land from Kim Burht VanLue. Continued on page 2
Syracuse Town Council passes 2024 salary and compensation ordinance By LAUREN ZEUGNER Staff Writer
Syracuse Town Council —
Kaiser looks back at 2023 as council president “The year went fast,” said Cindy Kaiser about her first term as president of the Syracuse Town Council. Council members take turns as council president, holding the office for one year. Under Kaiser’s presidency the council saw the opening of Urban Oaks apartments which was a few years in the making. Urban Oaks addressed two issues in town, finding a use for the old Syracuse Elementary School and the need for housing in town. The council also saw progress on the Syracuse-Turkey Creek Township Library moving to Dolan Street. While completion of the project is a few years off, soil testing has been done recently and an buried tank will be removed soon. Another big item in the works is the South Shore Village project. Kaiser said she is also excited about the new RV park coming to the area.
“Between the parks and us, we still need a dog park,” said Kaiser. The council saw a number of public works projects completed this year including new street lights being installed in the Syracuse Technology Park, and the new Schrock Fields opening this year. Kaiser served on the council for two years before taking her turn as council president. “Being president and trying to learn ... the many projects and how much we spend (has been a challenge),” she said. She noted the water and sewer studies, saying “everything costs so much.” “I learned a little bit about annexation,” she said. As a member of the town council, she sits on the Turkey Creek Fire Territory Board. The fire department just finished renovating Dr. Kauffman’s former offices into administrative offices for the fire department. The office is located next door to Station I. She said the department heads, David Wilkinson as town manager; Mark Aurich as public works superintendent; and Chad Jons-
JUST COMPLETED HER FIRST TERM AS PRESIDENT — Cindy Kaiser just completed her first term as president of the Syracuse Town Council. During her year term, the town undertook a number of different projects. Councilman Nathan Scherer will be council president for 2024. Photo by Lauren Zeugner. son as park superintendent; do an amazing job.
She also enjoyed working with Continued on page 2
Town of Syracuse responds to open door complaint, public access counselor yet to rule By LAUREN ZEUGNER Staff Writer The Town of Syracuse responded to an open door complaint filed by The Mail-Journal on Nov. 2. Both parties are waiting for the public access counselor to make a determination on the matter.
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In the town’s response, which was sent to the public access counselor on Nov. 27, Jay Rigdon, town attorney, stated “... it appears that this was a meeting of the Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation (KEDCO) and therefore under their supervision and control. I am somewhat at a
Inside
By LAUREN ZEUGNER Staff Writer
During its regular monthly meeting, held Tuesday, Dec. 19, the Syracuse Town Council passed an ordinance fixing salary and compensation for town officials and employees. The salaries and compensation for officials and employees for 2024 are set as follows: •President of the Town Council — $9,322.62 per annum. •Other council members — $7,778.49 per annum. •Town attorney — $24,000 per annum. •Town manager — $3,461.54 per pay period plus longevity. •Police chief — $2,756.09 per pay period plus longevity. •Park superintendent — $2,691.27 per pay period plus longevity. •Street department superintendent — $32.63 per hour plus longevity. • Water department superintendent — $32.97 per hour plus longevity. •Wastewater department superintendent — $20.45 per hour plus longevity. In the clerk treasurer’s office, hourly employees will receive $7.25 minimum and $24.97 maximum per hour plus longevity. Hourly employees in the town manager’s department will receive $7.25 minimum and $32.97 per hour plus longevity. Continued on page 2
loss as to how the town council can tell a private organization who may attend their meetings.” Further Rigdon stated he did not believe “this event constituted a ‘meeting’ as that term is defined under I.C. 5-14-1.5-2(C). That term does not include: Continued on page 2
Year In Review Photos See Page 7 See Public Notices On Page 11
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