After several months of discussion, Syracuse Town Council approved the design for signs for the SR 13/U.S. 6 industrial/technology park during its regular monthly meeting.

During his monthly report, town manager Henry DeJulia had Troy Graham of General Crafts Corp. in Goshen review the sign design with the council. The sign will be a steel tube skeleton with various lengths of stainless steel, each 16 inches high. Business names will be attached with vinyl lettering which, while less expensive, has high impact.

The stainless steel will also have a random grind pattern so there won’t be any glare. Each length will be removable. The sign will be sail shaped, approximately 24 feet tall stilling on a split face block foundation.

Council approved two signs, not to exceed $56,000. Both signs will be powered with solar panels. The signs have to be approved by the Elkhart County Commissioners and it is hoped the Economic Development Administration grant will cover the cost.

The council heard a request from Paula Kehr-Wicker and her husband, Robert Wicker, to have their home on Fox Run annexed into the town. The council approved a motion to move forward with the annexation. A public hearing needs to be held on the matter.

The council approved a new contract for Syracuse police officers. Syracuse Police Department will now ask for a three-year commitment from anyone employed by the department. If an officer is discharged or leaves the department prior to the three years, he or she will be expected to reimburse the department for the cost of sending him or her to the academy.

Syracuse Police Chief Tony Ciriello requested the town adopt an ordinance to limit parking on one side of the street within the Village area of Oakwood Park. The council asked Ciriello to discuss the matter with Larry Lane, president of Oakwood Property Owners Association, and J.R. Parent, owner of Oakwood, before approving the ordinance.

Chad Jonsson, parks superintendent, reported the snow flakes are almost down. Easter egg hunts will be held April 11 and 12. The middle school night hunt will be held after the middle school dance April 11. The town Easter egg hunt will be held at 10:30 a.m. for children 10 and under.

In the public works report, the council approved spending $39,164 for radio read water meters. These meters will be installed at Oakwood while some in town will be transferred to radio read.

Clerk-treasurer Julie Kline noted the freeze warning in the town is still in effect and water bills were estimated for the third month in a row. Work continues with Invoice Cloud to provide online billing for water and sewer customers.

(For a more in-depth account of the meeting, see today’s issue of The Mail-Journal.)