Mentone Holds Off On Purchases

July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.

By Daniel [email protected]

MENTONE - The Mentone Town Council declined to hold off on buying a new police vehicle or snow plow due to budgetary constraints.

Mentone police officer Terry Engstrand told the board that his vehicle's tire rod and sway bar have been fixed on his car, but the vehicle will need further repairs.[[In-content Ad]]The board told Engstrand and Town Marshal Jim Eads that purchasing a new vehicle for Engstrand would have to wait until the next budget year. The board approved a motion to transfer funds to allow for further repairs on Engstrand's vehicle to be made.

"I think we need to hold off," said board member Jill Gross.

Mentone Utilities Superintendent Eric Carlin also asked the board to consider purchasing a new snow plow.

Carlin told the board they could make do with the plow they have new.

The cost of a new plow would be around $5,500.

Eads also told the board that they are currently working on determining whether to stay with Principal Insurance or to move to Anthem.

Eads told the board that a Principle representative stated they can expect a minimum of a 10-percent increase.

The board told Eads to continue looking into it.

Four town employees and their families are covered under the health insurance, which currently costs $4,380 a month.

The board then heard a presentation from Mike Strang of Bonar Group concerning the town's wastewater treatment plant.

By November 2010, the town has to show six months of compliance.

Plans have to be done by June 2009 while the Indiana Department of Emergency Management wants to see plans by April 2009.

Strang told the board it would cost $115,000 for the design phase.

"Are you with the UAW?" joked board member Jack Simpson.

Strang said a $500,000 grant will be available for the construction phase of the project.

The board approved a motion for Bonar Group to go ahead with their plans, which first includes land surveys.

Strang estimated the total cost of the project would be $890,000.

"This is something we have to do," said Simpson.

Town attorney Larry Beeson told the board that an ongoing dispute with Norfolk Southern railroad has now born out a new fee owed by the town.

Originally, Mentone owed $5,000, but now the town only owes $3,340.

MENTONE - The Mentone Town Council declined to hold off on buying a new police vehicle or snow plow due to budgetary constraints.

Mentone police officer Terry Engstrand told the board that his vehicle's tire rod and sway bar have been fixed on his car, but the vehicle will need further repairs.[[In-content Ad]]The board told Engstrand and Town Marshal Jim Eads that purchasing a new vehicle for Engstrand would have to wait until the next budget year. The board approved a motion to transfer funds to allow for further repairs on Engstrand's vehicle to be made.

"I think we need to hold off," said board member Jill Gross.

Mentone Utilities Superintendent Eric Carlin also asked the board to consider purchasing a new snow plow.

Carlin told the board they could make do with the plow they have new.

The cost of a new plow would be around $5,500.

Eads also told the board that they are currently working on determining whether to stay with Principal Insurance or to move to Anthem.

Eads told the board that a Principle representative stated they can expect a minimum of a 10-percent increase.

The board told Eads to continue looking into it.

Four town employees and their families are covered under the health insurance, which currently costs $4,380 a month.

The board then heard a presentation from Mike Strang of Bonar Group concerning the town's wastewater treatment plant.

By November 2010, the town has to show six months of compliance.

Plans have to be done by June 2009 while the Indiana Department of Emergency Management wants to see plans by April 2009.

Strang told the board it would cost $115,000 for the design phase.

"Are you with the UAW?" joked board member Jack Simpson.

Strang said a $500,000 grant will be available for the construction phase of the project.

The board approved a motion for Bonar Group to go ahead with their plans, which first includes land surveys.

Strang estimated the total cost of the project would be $890,000.

"This is something we have to do," said Simpson.

Town attorney Larry Beeson told the board that an ongoing dispute with Norfolk Southern railroad has now born out a new fee owed by the town.

Originally, Mentone owed $5,000, but now the town only owes $3,340.

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