MENTONE - Reiterating his stand from last month, Mentone Town Council president Forrest Kantner opposed the purchase of a new police vehicle.

The other council members, Ed Rock and Lynn Phillips, voted in favor of the purchase, giving Marshal Jim Eads permission to spend up to $31,000 for a Dodge Durango.

Eads was given permission in September to get prices for a new police vehicle and presented quotes in October for sport utility vehicles, but no action was taken at that meeting. Discussion in October included Kantner's statements that residents have questioned why the town even needs two police vehicles.

Officer safety was the main reason, Eads said, along with less wear and tear on the vehicles if the town's two officers aren't using one vehicle all the time. Two vehicles also provide more visibility, Rock said, adding that he agreed that a nearby backup unit is important for officer safety.

"Most people don't see the need for such backup that often," Kantner said.

Rock disagreed, noting that he went out recently to back Eads up on a call near his home. Rock is a reserve officer with the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department but responded in his personal vehicle. "People don't see that either," Rock said.

Rock's motion to move ahead with the purchase included taking $15,000 from the new equipment account, with an additional appropriation to be taken for the balance.

In other police business, the council voted to enter into negotiations with Don and Rosemary Laughlin for the purchase of the building housing the police department. The town currently leases the building from the Laughlins, who notified the council prior to the September meeting that the building will be put up for sale. The town was given the first option on the building.

The council agreed to spend $200 to help the Lions Club and the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department buy identification kits for students at Mentone Elementary, and $500 for a brick to be laid at the Grissom Aeroplex, where the North Central Indiana Law Enforcement Training Center is renovating a building for classrooms. Mentone's officers receive state-funded training from the center.

In other matters, the council:

• Opted to take the next step in applying for a housing rehabilitation grant through the Warsaw Housing Authority/Housing Opportunities of Warsaw. WHA executive director Angie Shirk explained the program to the council in October, indicating that the town would be responsible for a 10 percent match of any funding provided.

• Announced that water hydrants will be flushed Nov. 9 and 10. Residents may want to refrain from washing laundry during this time because the flushing could produce rusty water and low water pressure.

• Discussed a parking problem in the 400 block of North Broadway Street and a traffic problem at the intersection of Princeton and Jackson streets. Both matters will be looked at by the town marshal.

The next town council meeting is at 7 p.m. Dec. 6 in the town hall. [[In-content Ad]]