Syracuse Council welcomes new faces

SYRACUSE – The Syracuse City Council welcomed new faces and appointees at its meeting Wednesday.

 New Mayor Deb Dettmer and councilman Wesley Halvorsen joined council members Orv Gigstad, Jerry Werner and Laramie Werner to begin filling vacant positions within the city.

Tammy Kelch was voted in  to  join Andy Brace, Ron Apel,  Red Mannschrek, Charley McWilliams, Pat Chaney and Carolyn Gigstad to the planning commission.

 

 

Justin Stark of Olsson Inc. was appointed the new city engineer for professional services. 

New Fire Chief Eric Fass  presented twp  probationary fire department members, Schuylar Argo and Cody Lintner,  to bring the total members of the fire department to 34. 

Fass informed the mayor and council that a $300,000 AFG grant to cover the cost of eight new air packs was being looked into. Some of the current air packs are 15 years old.  The department currently has 22 air packs to cover 34 members.

 

 

Sheriff Colin Caudill reported another quiet month for the community. The Otoe County Sheriff's Office  received a grant from the Nebraska highway safety program to conduct enforcement campaigns over over Christmas and New Year's.

Councilman Gigstad ask Sheriff Caudill if there has been any issues with the trains that have started to roll through Syracuse after 17 years of quiet tracks.

The sheriff reported to having little issues and will continue with the current protocol.   

Mayor Dettmer  inquired about crossing arms at  intersections in town. Sheriff Caudill reported that the Department of Transportation would have to conduct  a traffic survey to see if crossing arms are warranted.