MENTONE - "(The Chamber of Commerce) cannot think of anything better for this community than senior housing," said Mentone Chamber of Commerce representative Rita Price Simpson.

Monday, the Mentone Town Council agreed, approving the go-ahead for a development team from Garden Court Inc. to set up proposals for grants to build apartments for senior citizen in Mentone.

"This is a win-win situation for everyone," said Council Member Mark Hughes.

"This project is no cost to us, and it is important to our town," said Jack Simpson, council member.

The chamber of commerce decided to allot $10,000 to get the ball rolling in the project last week. The money will be put in escrow to cover expenses not covered by grants in the project.

Garden Court Inc. fills out grant applications and secures the funds for the projects by submitting plans to Housing and Urban Development, Rural Development and other similar organizations. The company currently has six locations in Plymouth, one in Argos, one in Bourbon and one in Knox.

"We work with you to provide the units," said Garden Courts President of the board of directors Ronald W. Liechty. "We build it. We supervise the building. We provide the management responsibility. All we ask of you is to let us work with you to get something in Mentone. We have been very successful in other places."

The board appointed Rita Price Simpson as a contact person for the development team. Anyone interested in information about the project or getting a housing application should contact Simpson at 574-353-7417 or stop in at Java Jacks on Ind. 25 in Mentone to fill out an interest form.

Garden Court Inc. plans to build 20-plus units at 404 W. Harrison Street. The land will be purchased from the Mentone Tri-Township Fire Control Board for $50,000. If HUD does not appraise the property at that value, the Mentone Chamber of Commerce will supply the funds to make up the difference.

The land originally was purchased to build a new fire station, but once it was decided to level the existing station and build on the same spot, the ground became available.

In other business, the council:

• Discussed progress on the old library building that will house the town offices and police department during the construction of the new fire department/town building. A group of volunteers is nearly finished painting the interior of the buildings, and once a few locks are changed, the building should be ready for occupancy. When the move occurs, town offices will be closed for a few days. The final dates will be announced later.

• Spring Clean-Up Day is May 18. Large trash items will be picked up that day.

• Town fire hydrants will be flushed May 17-18. Residents should refrain from washing clothes during those days as the flushing could create rust in the system.

• Approved the funds to repair the town dump truck. One head gasket is blown, and the board approved the replacement of both head gaskets as a preventative measure. The repair cost is estimated at $1,000.

• Heard that a mag meter that measures the flow of water from well No. 3 is not working properly. A repair person will examine the equipment and provide an estimate for the repair at a later meeting.

• Approved new rates for plots in the town cemetery effective June 1. The fee for town residents will increase from $125 to $300, and the fee for out-of-town people will increase from $150 to $350. In-town residents receive a lower price because a portion of their tax money goes to the cemetery.

• Renewed the contract with the fire control board. The contract was amended to include the new building and includes new tax rates.

Mentone Town Council members are Mark Hughes, Jack Simpson and Tim Croy. [[In-content Ad]]