Turkey Creek Township Trustee Barb Griffith presented a state mandate to the township advisory board Monday, March 14, which requires the board to form an oversight committee, “adopt internal control standards” and “ensure that personnel receive training concerning the internal control standards and procedures adopted by the political subdivision,” according to www.in.gov.

The township has until June 30 to put these measures into place.

Griffith distributed the packet of information she recently received from the state. The board members requested time to review the information and tabled any further action until the April 11 meeting.

The board also discussed filling the at-large board member vacancy created by the Dec. 31 expiration of Steve Snyder’s term of appointment.

The board submitted Snyder’s name for reappointment to the Syracuse Town Council in early December. The council rejected the nomination but has taken no further action on the matter.

“The town needs to give us some direction,” said board member Kim Cates. “In all fairness, that was the best nomination we could have put forth.”

The at-large board member must be agreed to between the township board and town council.

Township attorney Andrew Grossnickle reported he spoke with the town council and “I got the same response that they are working on it. I would have heard by now (of a council decision) but have not heard anything back as of today.”

He suggested the board submit a list of names for the council’s consideration and pledged to work as a liaison to facilitate the decision making process. “If they don’t have anyone to consider, they would at least be forced to consider our nominees,” he said. “I will see what I can do.”

In other business, Megan McClellan, executive director of the Syracuse-Wawasee Trails, addressed the board and distributed a brochure highlighting a 10-year plan to construct a walking and bike trail around Lake Wawasee.

McClellan has been director for 1-1/2 years and during her tenure, “we got a lot of grants, built trails, offered new events and we now have a quarterly newsletter,” she said.

“One of the biggest things is the Conklin Bay boardwalk and trail,” McClellan said. “We should have the estimate in a couple weeks.”

Fire Chief Mickey Scott announced North Huntington Street (CR 29 in Elkhart County) will be closed beginning Monday, March 21, for construction of an overpass at US 6.

The road is scheduled for reopening Sept. 26.

US 6 will also be closed periodically as work progresses.

Barb Griffith presented the township’s 2015 cash and investment combined statements.

The township started 2015 with approximately $3,333,218 and received an additional $3,550,325 in taxes and fees.

The township disbursed $1,723,673 during the year, leaving a cash balance of $5,159,870.

Fire Chief Mickey Scott announced a statewide fire drill 10:15 a.m. and 7:35 p.m. Tuesday, March 22 (Wednesday, March 23, as an alternate date).

He suggested residents use the occasion to practice their tornado safety plans as if they were experiencing a real emergency.

He recommended making sure one has sufficient emergency lighting and supplies, and cautioned cellphones may not work if the storm disables cellphone towers.

The board will next meet at 7 p.m. Monday, April 11, at Syracuse Town Hall.