MENTONE - By local government agencies working together, the Mentone Community Emergency Services Building will serve the community for years to come once completed.

During a tour of the construction project Thursday afternoon, emergency services personnel discussed the work that went into the project and what's left to finish it.

"We wanted this building to serve the emergency services in this area for the future," said Mentone Town Marshal Jim Eads. "And we feel (this building) will do that."

The building is on Main Street where the former town hall was. Two entrances face Main Street, one goes into the vehicle bays (on the right) and the other (on the left) leads into the office area. Upon entering the left door, patrons first step into a commons area where they will be able to make their water/sewer bill payments. A nearby stairwell leads to storage rooms for the town and police department.

The town clerk-treasurer's office is next and includes an ample closet. The next office is for the police department. Two restrooms are across the hall.

Not counting the garage bays, the largest room is the meeting room. Mike Yazel, fire department, said they hope to have police, fire and EMS training in that room. With Mentone being about the midpoint of the northern half of the state, Eads said Mentone is ideal to host the training.

After passing the meeting room, one comes upon the living and commons area for the emergency services. It includes a "lounge," kitchen area and two sleeping rooms, each with room for three people to catch up on their rest. A back door goes to a patio where the large generator is, too. Funding for the generator was provided by the Kosciusko Community Foundation.

"We've used about every inch of our space," said Yazel of the facilities. Office and storage space accounts for approximately 4,200 square feet.

Off to the side of the bays is a lockerroom for washing and changing clothes.

There are five front doors to the bay and one back door. The doors are 14 feet by 14 feet, large enough for fire or EMS vehicles.

"The space was our biggest issue before," said Yazel.

Eads said when they started the project they looked forward to having all the emergency services back together in one building. While the project progresses, the emergency vehicles are spread around town, with the ambulances at Midwest Poultry. Once the new building is finished, Eads said it will be the first time the two ambulances will be under one roof.

"We're all together and that's been kind of our goal all along," said Yazel. "All in one place."

"The project is moving along well with the timing," said Eads. A few early stumbling blocks were overcome.

Most of the companies hired for the project are local, said Yazel, and the building is being constructed without raising taxes. However, donations are still being sought because of a shortage in funds - approximately $70,000.

The fire department, EMS, police department, Chamber of Commerce and the town as well as the townships served by the emergency services all contributed to the project. Townships served by the fire department include Harrison and Franklin in Kosciusko County and New Castle in Fulton County. The EMS also serves Seward Township. The township trustees, according to Yazel, borrowed some of the money for the project through Farmers State Bank. Individuals also provided funding.

Instead of cash, Eads said some of the local businesses donated products. For example, RTC provided phone cords, boxes, etc., while Comcast donated cable television.

Monetary donations for the construction part of the project aren't the only things that could be used for the MCES building. Once the building is completed, other items will be needed to furnish the building. Items people could donate, said Jill Gross, EMS, include new kitchen appliances, beds, coffeemakers, "those type of things."

"Donations don't have to be monetary," said Yazel. "They can be substance."

The budgeted cost for the project was $690,000, but that total now is $750,000 due to unexpected expenses and doesn't include furnishings. As the project winds down, Yazel said they are looking to close the gap on the cost. [[In-content Ad]]