Groundbreaking Date Still Not Set For New Mentone Building
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
MENTONE - Despite the rumors, no dates are set for the demolition of the old Mentone town hall or the groundbreaking of the Mentone Community Emergency Services Building.
"We don't have any firm dates," said Jim Moyer, Harrison Township trustee. "We're stuck on the bidding paperwork."
The bidding for the work has been advertised.
Moyer said, from his perspective, the project began in 1996. The Mentone Fire Department approached the Fire Control Board and presented the conditions and size of the town hall and fire station at that time. The FCB searched for new property, buying a block on West Harrison Street.
Moyer said they then began to pursue state and federal grants. One of the first requirements they faced for grants was land ownership - not a problem. But the next requirement was a problem - most grants require matching funds. At that time, no matching funds were available.
At the same time, the ambulance service began purchasing a new ambulance and decided to keep the old one. They had two ambulances, but not enough space for both of them.
The township, town council, FCB and other government agencies got together and began to look at financing, Moyer said. They discovered they were short on funds so they had to work with each other to come up with the money.
Together, it was decided the new town hall, fire station, ambulance service and police department would be built downtown where the current town hall is.
"It's a good idea to keep the building in town so the town is involved," said Marsha Scott, representing the ambulance service.
"I think the community wanted to see it uptown," said Tim Croy, town councilman.
Other than the age of the building, why else is a new town hall needed?
"They've done soil samples here and told us we're pretty much sitting on mush. It's been here 40 years," said Croy. The walls are sinking.
"The building is in need of some major, major repairs," said Moyer.
Mike Yazel, of the fire department, said they are working on purchasing property to the south of the town hall from the railroad.
Moyer said that's ironic because in 1965, the Mentone Fire Control Board was created for the purpose of building a new fire station. The old one was in disrepair and the fire control board had to purchase property from the railroad then, too. Forty years later, they are in about the same situation.
As for the property on Harrison Street, Moyer said a company is in the process of purchasing it. The proceeds from that sale, said Croy, will help with the expense of building the new emergency services building.
Moyer said the groups involved with the MCES building spent several months on the building plan. The new building will include the ambulance service, fire department, clerk's office and police department.
Moyer said the new building will include EMS personnel sleeping quarters in anticipation of them going full time eventually.
"That's the way the state's leaning," said Croy of the EMS.
Financially, Moyer said, "We don't have ... the full amount we think we need. We are still accepting donations. We likely will need to pursue some loans." The involved government agencies, he said, have set back a considerable amount of money for the project.
"It will get done," said Scott.
"Support from the community is what is going to make it a go," said Croy.
Once people see the work started, and see that it actually is happening, Scott said, it is hoped more donations will be made.
Also affecting the financial situation, Moyer said, is that the fire control board had planned for several years for the purchase of a new truck this year. The new truck, Yazel said, adds to the space problem.
The ambulance service has two vehicles. The fire department has five, adding one more this year. The police department has two, but they are parked outside.
While the work on the MCES building is occurring, Croy said the police department and clerk's office will move into the old library on Broadway Street. The fire trucks will be at different firemen's homes. Midwest Poultry has offered a building for the ambulances.
Yazel said they hope to keep the construction of the MCES building to a three-month time frame. Everyone wants to be in the new building by the time bad weather hits, said Moyer.
Moyer said when the demolition bid is awarded, any salvageable material will be auctioned off.
Donations can be delivered to the ambulance service, MFD or to the clerk's office.
Moyer said the government agencies all worked hard to maintain tax rates and not increase them. They have worked within their budgets to make the MCES building a reality.
Plans for the MCES building will be displayed this weekend during the Mentone Egg Festival. [[In-content Ad]]
MENTONE - Despite the rumors, no dates are set for the demolition of the old Mentone town hall or the groundbreaking of the Mentone Community Emergency Services Building.
"We don't have any firm dates," said Jim Moyer, Harrison Township trustee. "We're stuck on the bidding paperwork."
The bidding for the work has been advertised.
Moyer said, from his perspective, the project began in 1996. The Mentone Fire Department approached the Fire Control Board and presented the conditions and size of the town hall and fire station at that time. The FCB searched for new property, buying a block on West Harrison Street.
Moyer said they then began to pursue state and federal grants. One of the first requirements they faced for grants was land ownership - not a problem. But the next requirement was a problem - most grants require matching funds. At that time, no matching funds were available.
At the same time, the ambulance service began purchasing a new ambulance and decided to keep the old one. They had two ambulances, but not enough space for both of them.
The township, town council, FCB and other government agencies got together and began to look at financing, Moyer said. They discovered they were short on funds so they had to work with each other to come up with the money.
Together, it was decided the new town hall, fire station, ambulance service and police department would be built downtown where the current town hall is.
"It's a good idea to keep the building in town so the town is involved," said Marsha Scott, representing the ambulance service.
"I think the community wanted to see it uptown," said Tim Croy, town councilman.
Other than the age of the building, why else is a new town hall needed?
"They've done soil samples here and told us we're pretty much sitting on mush. It's been here 40 years," said Croy. The walls are sinking.
"The building is in need of some major, major repairs," said Moyer.
Mike Yazel, of the fire department, said they are working on purchasing property to the south of the town hall from the railroad.
Moyer said that's ironic because in 1965, the Mentone Fire Control Board was created for the purpose of building a new fire station. The old one was in disrepair and the fire control board had to purchase property from the railroad then, too. Forty years later, they are in about the same situation.
As for the property on Harrison Street, Moyer said a company is in the process of purchasing it. The proceeds from that sale, said Croy, will help with the expense of building the new emergency services building.
Moyer said the groups involved with the MCES building spent several months on the building plan. The new building will include the ambulance service, fire department, clerk's office and police department.
Moyer said the new building will include EMS personnel sleeping quarters in anticipation of them going full time eventually.
"That's the way the state's leaning," said Croy of the EMS.
Financially, Moyer said, "We don't have ... the full amount we think we need. We are still accepting donations. We likely will need to pursue some loans." The involved government agencies, he said, have set back a considerable amount of money for the project.
"It will get done," said Scott.
"Support from the community is what is going to make it a go," said Croy.
Once people see the work started, and see that it actually is happening, Scott said, it is hoped more donations will be made.
Also affecting the financial situation, Moyer said, is that the fire control board had planned for several years for the purchase of a new truck this year. The new truck, Yazel said, adds to the space problem.
The ambulance service has two vehicles. The fire department has five, adding one more this year. The police department has two, but they are parked outside.
While the work on the MCES building is occurring, Croy said the police department and clerk's office will move into the old library on Broadway Street. The fire trucks will be at different firemen's homes. Midwest Poultry has offered a building for the ambulances.
Yazel said they hope to keep the construction of the MCES building to a three-month time frame. Everyone wants to be in the new building by the time bad weather hits, said Moyer.
Moyer said when the demolition bid is awarded, any salvageable material will be auctioned off.
Donations can be delivered to the ambulance service, MFD or to the clerk's office.
Moyer said the government agencies all worked hard to maintain tax rates and not increase them. They have worked within their budgets to make the MCES building a reality.
Plans for the MCES building will be displayed this weekend during the Mentone Egg Festival. [[In-content Ad]]