SYRACUSE —  Syracuse Town Manger Mike Noe and members of the Syracuse Town Council praised town employees for a job well done during the recent frigid weather. The praise was given during the council’s monthly meeting Tuesday night, Feb. 19.

In his report, Noe told the council Shopko is closing. He will be working with the Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce and the owner of the building on what to do next.

In the utility report, Noe said a temporary new chlorine system has been installed at the water department so the old system could be torn out and a new one installed. The work should be done at the end of the month.

The wastewater plant is running well. Kossing, the company who did the rehabilitation work on the plant, offers a performance guarantee. It will inspect the plant this summer and any problems will be addressed at the company’s expense. There was a water main break during the cold snap, which was repaired quickly.

Police Chief Jim Layne reported Officer Joe Denton will be retiring from the department. He just opened a bait shop in North Webster. Officer Dan Buell, from North Webster Police Department, will be his replacement. An open house for Denton will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 22.

Chad Jonsson, park superintendent, reported March will be a busy month. The indoor garage sale will be held 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 2; there will be a public input session on Laudeman Park at 7 p.m. March 11. This will be the first part of the park board’s regular monthly meeting. Princess parties will be held March 23 featuring Tinker Bell.

Councilman Bill Musser asked about the lighting in the parking lot of the community center. Jonsson said he’s working on the cost and it will probably be a project were donations will be solicited.

Fire Chief Mickey Scott, Turkey Creek Fire Territory, introduced Layne Neal, a new hire to the council. Two members of the department have returned from paramedic school and will be working with a battalion chief for a while. Two more members of the department will be going to paramedic class.

The building project is moving along, fire staff have worked well around the construction crews.

The fire department, along with North Webster and Warsaw’s departments received a $350,000 grant for 10 new Zoll X-Seris monitors. These are cardiac monitors. Syracuse will receive four of the monitors.

The council approved replacing a 2004 pickup truck with the cost not to exceed $38,000. This includes outfitting the truck with lights and sirens. Regarding Baby Box, Scott said the department is being very careful and making sure all legal issues are covered.

During the clerk-treasurer’s report Paula Kehr-Wicker apologized to the taxpayers for being late with withholding tax last April resulting in the town receiving a tax penalty of $2,214.13.