Burning, Fireworks Banned in Mentone
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By David [email protected]
During the town council meeting Monday, President Tim Croy said the burn and fireworks ban is still in effect.
“We’ve had only over five-tenths of an inch of rain, so no open burning and no fireworks in the town limits,” he said.
The meteorological conditions are extreme and in such cases town ordinances allow the town to ban any open burning, Croy said, “so we are continuing to do that.”
Town Marshal Jim Eads provided some information on fireworks from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.
Under penalties for violating Indiana’s fireworks laws, “a person who recklessly, knowingly or intentionally uses consumer fireworks and damages someone else’s property commits a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment up to one year and a maximum fine of $10,000.”
Eads said, “A class A misdemeanor means you go to jail.”
For more information on Indiana’s firework laws, visit the IDHS website at www.in.gov/dhs
The council also agreed to move forward with the walking trail at the park.
At the June meeting, Utilities Superintendent Josh Shepherd introduced a map of a proposed walking trail, but said he wanted the public’s input. If the public wasn’t for it, Shepherd said he didn’t want to spend the money on it.
Councilwoman Shelly Krueger said 27 people signed on the petition in support of the trail, with two against. Five others also signed against it, but they didn’t leave a phone number and Krueger said some of them may be kids.
“I thought 27 was a good number,” Krueger said.
She and councilwoman Jill Gross both have information on pursuing a K21 Health Foundation grant, which they will look into for the trail.
Krueger also said it was possible to connect the park trail and cemetery sometime down the road.
“We’ll do it like every other counties are doing it, in steps,” Gross said.
Clerk-Treasurer Barb Ross told the council they needed to revisit the 2013 general fund budget. The town needs to add in $10,683 for their share of the Fire Control Board to upkeep the town building or further development, and take that money out of somewhere else. It’s not a new line item in the budget.
“It is a lot to cut back on,” Croy said.
Gross suggested taking about $3,000 from three different line items.
The council decided to take $3,000 out of trees and sidewalks; $3,000 out of storm sewers; and $4,683 out of new equipment.
Ross said she may have to take more money out of the town’s budget after meeting with the State Board of Accounts July 23.
Eads asked the council for him and deputy Terry Engstrand to attend two training classes.
One is for three days, in Minnesota, is free and lodging is provided. Transportation and meals would be the only costs.
The second is a one-day class in Evansville, costs $200 per officer, plus fuel and a one-night hotel stay.
Eads said he had $1,800 in the police department’s training fund so that would cover all the costs of the two training classes.
The council unanimously approved for both officers to attend both classes.
Shepherd thanked Eads and the fire department for their help during the storm. Croy thanked Shepherd and his department for their work during the storm.
Croy also thanked the fire department for cooking dinner for the town Saturday, even though they were tired from all the work Friday and Saturday because of the storm. They fed 175 people, Croy said. People in the community told him they should be providing a meal and thanking the fire department, not vice versa.
Helping Hands also provided food for the town meal, Eads said, which included 120 hamburgers and more than 100 hot dogs and cooked sausages.
The council also decided to pay Umbaugh & Associates $6,000 for a water rate study. The last time the town did a water rate study was eight years ago, Croy reminded the council, and they have to do another one before they can raise rates.
Krueger asked if Umbaugh was the only firm that could do the study.
“They’re the only ones I’d like to have do that,” Ross said, because they have all of the town’s information. Another firm would have to start from scratch.
She said Umbaugh wouldn’t be able to start for another 30 days.
It also was announced that there will be kids’ karaoke in the park July 21 at 6 p.m. for any kid.
“I think it’s a good thing,” Croy said.
Parents are reminded that alcohol is not permitted in the park.
Eads said he has a commercial popcorn maker at his house. He will provide that and make popcorn for those at the kids karaoke.[[In-content Ad]]
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During the town council meeting Monday, President Tim Croy said the burn and fireworks ban is still in effect.
“We’ve had only over five-tenths of an inch of rain, so no open burning and no fireworks in the town limits,” he said.
The meteorological conditions are extreme and in such cases town ordinances allow the town to ban any open burning, Croy said, “so we are continuing to do that.”
Town Marshal Jim Eads provided some information on fireworks from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.
Under penalties for violating Indiana’s fireworks laws, “a person who recklessly, knowingly or intentionally uses consumer fireworks and damages someone else’s property commits a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment up to one year and a maximum fine of $10,000.”
Eads said, “A class A misdemeanor means you go to jail.”
For more information on Indiana’s firework laws, visit the IDHS website at www.in.gov/dhs
The council also agreed to move forward with the walking trail at the park.
At the June meeting, Utilities Superintendent Josh Shepherd introduced a map of a proposed walking trail, but said he wanted the public’s input. If the public wasn’t for it, Shepherd said he didn’t want to spend the money on it.
Councilwoman Shelly Krueger said 27 people signed on the petition in support of the trail, with two against. Five others also signed against it, but they didn’t leave a phone number and Krueger said some of them may be kids.
“I thought 27 was a good number,” Krueger said.
She and councilwoman Jill Gross both have information on pursuing a K21 Health Foundation grant, which they will look into for the trail.
Krueger also said it was possible to connect the park trail and cemetery sometime down the road.
“We’ll do it like every other counties are doing it, in steps,” Gross said.
Clerk-Treasurer Barb Ross told the council they needed to revisit the 2013 general fund budget. The town needs to add in $10,683 for their share of the Fire Control Board to upkeep the town building or further development, and take that money out of somewhere else. It’s not a new line item in the budget.
“It is a lot to cut back on,” Croy said.
Gross suggested taking about $3,000 from three different line items.
The council decided to take $3,000 out of trees and sidewalks; $3,000 out of storm sewers; and $4,683 out of new equipment.
Ross said she may have to take more money out of the town’s budget after meeting with the State Board of Accounts July 23.
Eads asked the council for him and deputy Terry Engstrand to attend two training classes.
One is for three days, in Minnesota, is free and lodging is provided. Transportation and meals would be the only costs.
The second is a one-day class in Evansville, costs $200 per officer, plus fuel and a one-night hotel stay.
Eads said he had $1,800 in the police department’s training fund so that would cover all the costs of the two training classes.
The council unanimously approved for both officers to attend both classes.
Shepherd thanked Eads and the fire department for their help during the storm. Croy thanked Shepherd and his department for their work during the storm.
Croy also thanked the fire department for cooking dinner for the town Saturday, even though they were tired from all the work Friday and Saturday because of the storm. They fed 175 people, Croy said. People in the community told him they should be providing a meal and thanking the fire department, not vice versa.
Helping Hands also provided food for the town meal, Eads said, which included 120 hamburgers and more than 100 hot dogs and cooked sausages.
The council also decided to pay Umbaugh & Associates $6,000 for a water rate study. The last time the town did a water rate study was eight years ago, Croy reminded the council, and they have to do another one before they can raise rates.
Krueger asked if Umbaugh was the only firm that could do the study.
“They’re the only ones I’d like to have do that,” Ross said, because they have all of the town’s information. Another firm would have to start from scratch.
She said Umbaugh wouldn’t be able to start for another 30 days.
It also was announced that there will be kids’ karaoke in the park July 21 at 6 p.m. for any kid.
“I think it’s a good thing,” Croy said.
Parents are reminded that alcohol is not permitted in the park.
Eads said he has a commercial popcorn maker at his house. He will provide that and make popcorn for those at the kids karaoke.[[In-content Ad]]
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