Mentone's Revised Water Plan Doesn't Include A Tower
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
MENTONE - Mentone's water project is moving ahead with the current bids to the tune of $1.104 million.
The plan, adopted pending the purchase of land for a well, will not include a water tower. But the new improvements should solve some problems for Mentone residents.
Mentone's water utility director, Brian Reed, told the town council Monday that water pressure would increase despite the lack of a new tower. "The larger mains will rectify the pressure problem," Reed said.
He suggested that the council cap the existing water tower base with concrete as a means of extending the tower's life.
The water project will include improvements in the existing well house, a new well, new water lines, a new standby power generator, four new valves and recapping the concrete base of the existing water tower.
A 60 percent increase in water rates has to be met to pay for the project, said John D. Julien, CPA with H.J. Umbaugh and Associates, Plymouth. But that increase will be divided between hydrant rental customers, general water consumers and a sewage rate shift.
A 9 percent to 11 percent decrease in sewage rates could offset the water rate increase, said Julien. He assured the council that the loan repayment would not put the town at risk the next few years.
Mentone's water utility is in good shape financially going into the project, Julien said. "We're not trying to make up any lost ground with this rate increase, we've just got to cover your project," he said.
One final piece of the approximately $1.104 million puzzle remains to be put in place. The purchase of the land for the well is necessary to get funds from the Indiana Department of Commerce and the bank that is financing the project. Without that purchase the project would falter before it left the gates.
In other business:
• The council approved applying for a $4,200 appropriation from the state to pay for rental and utility costs on the old Earhart building. The property, located next to town council facilities, will be used as a temporary police station. The facility is tentatively available for rental June 1.
• The council approved bids from Carefree Lawn and Main-tenance for the summer's mowing at Mentzer Park. Tom Melton's bid was accepted for summer lawn care of the town cemetery.
• Council also approved moving toward establishing an ordinance violation bureau. The first ordinances would provide yard care guidelines and the removal of junk cars.
• The water department announced hydrant flushing is set for April 15-16. Residents are asked to refrain from washing clothes those days to avoid discoloration of clothing.
• Residents needing pine needles and leaves picked up should bag them and call the town clerk to request pickup.
• Spring cleanup day is scheduled for May 16. Residents are asked to set out material for collection the night before the cleanup.
• The cemetery board requests that all grave decorations be removed by April 15.
The council will meet at 6 p.m. April 22 with representatives from H.J. Umbaugh and Associates to discuss financing for the water project. [[In-content Ad]]
MENTONE - Mentone's water project is moving ahead with the current bids to the tune of $1.104 million.
The plan, adopted pending the purchase of land for a well, will not include a water tower. But the new improvements should solve some problems for Mentone residents.
Mentone's water utility director, Brian Reed, told the town council Monday that water pressure would increase despite the lack of a new tower. "The larger mains will rectify the pressure problem," Reed said.
He suggested that the council cap the existing water tower base with concrete as a means of extending the tower's life.
The water project will include improvements in the existing well house, a new well, new water lines, a new standby power generator, four new valves and recapping the concrete base of the existing water tower.
A 60 percent increase in water rates has to be met to pay for the project, said John D. Julien, CPA with H.J. Umbaugh and Associates, Plymouth. But that increase will be divided between hydrant rental customers, general water consumers and a sewage rate shift.
A 9 percent to 11 percent decrease in sewage rates could offset the water rate increase, said Julien. He assured the council that the loan repayment would not put the town at risk the next few years.
Mentone's water utility is in good shape financially going into the project, Julien said. "We're not trying to make up any lost ground with this rate increase, we've just got to cover your project," he said.
One final piece of the approximately $1.104 million puzzle remains to be put in place. The purchase of the land for the well is necessary to get funds from the Indiana Department of Commerce and the bank that is financing the project. Without that purchase the project would falter before it left the gates.
In other business:
• The council approved applying for a $4,200 appropriation from the state to pay for rental and utility costs on the old Earhart building. The property, located next to town council facilities, will be used as a temporary police station. The facility is tentatively available for rental June 1.
• The council approved bids from Carefree Lawn and Main-tenance for the summer's mowing at Mentzer Park. Tom Melton's bid was accepted for summer lawn care of the town cemetery.
• Council also approved moving toward establishing an ordinance violation bureau. The first ordinances would provide yard care guidelines and the removal of junk cars.
• The water department announced hydrant flushing is set for April 15-16. Residents are asked to refrain from washing clothes those days to avoid discoloration of clothing.
• Residents needing pine needles and leaves picked up should bag them and call the town clerk to request pickup.
• Spring cleanup day is scheduled for May 16. Residents are asked to set out material for collection the night before the cleanup.
• The cemetery board requests that all grave decorations be removed by April 15.
The council will meet at 6 p.m. April 22 with representatives from H.J. Umbaugh and Associates to discuss financing for the water project. [[In-content Ad]]