Mentone Council Approves Increase In Trash Pickup Rates

November 6, 2024 at 8:26 p.m.
Pictured (L to R) are Mentone Town Councilman Tim Croy, Clerk-Treasurer Amanda Yaprak and Councilwomen Jill Gross and Shelly Krueger. Photo by Jackie Gorski, Times-Union
Pictured (L to R) are Mentone Town Councilman Tim Croy, Clerk-Treasurer Amanda Yaprak and Councilwomen Jill Gross and Shelly Krueger. Photo by Jackie Gorski, Times-Union

By JACKIE GORSKI Lifestyles Editor

MENTONE – Trash rates will go up for residents as Mentone Town Council approved raising rates Wednesday, effective Jan. 1.
The trash rates per household for 2025 and 2026 will be $15 and $16 for 2027. The current rate is $13.
In August, Councilman Tim Croy said he met with a representative from Apex since their contract expires Dec. 30. Croy said Apex wanted to renew their contract with the town for another three years with a price increase each year.
During the public hearing Wednesday held before the council approved the rate increase, there were no public comments.
Later in the meeting, Clerk-Treasurer Amanda Yaprak said a steering committee will need to be created to move forward with the town’s downtown master plan. The steering committee will help make decisions on plans for the downtown.
There needs to be an estimated 12 to 15 people on the committee, and Yaprak thought the committee needed to meet about three to five times every six months.
Once it is figured out who wants to be on the committee, Yaprak suggested possibly having focus groups and possibly getting community input.
If anyone is interested in being on the committee, they can contact Yaprak at the clerk’s office.
In other business, the council:
• Heard the lead service inventory is complete.
Utilities Superintendent Josh Shepherd said about a dozen letters were sent out to people whose lines couldn’t be 100% identified as lead or not. Yaprak said the letters stated there were some possible safety concerns due to the fact the lines weren’t 100% identified.
Shepherd said a representative from Commonwealth Engineers may come to the council’s December meeting to discuss the results of the lead service inventory.
• Town Marshal Keaton Schopf introduced Ryan Piper to the council. Piper is one of the top four people who applied for the deputy town marshal position.
Piper said he has law enforcement experience. He is also a firearms instructor.
He is married with four children. He grew up in Kosciusko County and has a sister in Mentone.
• Moved its January meeting from Jan. 1 to Jan. 8.



MENTONE – Trash rates will go up for residents as Mentone Town Council approved raising rates Wednesday, effective Jan. 1.
The trash rates per household for 2025 and 2026 will be $15 and $16 for 2027. The current rate is $13.
In August, Councilman Tim Croy said he met with a representative from Apex since their contract expires Dec. 30. Croy said Apex wanted to renew their contract with the town for another three years with a price increase each year.
During the public hearing Wednesday held before the council approved the rate increase, there were no public comments.
Later in the meeting, Clerk-Treasurer Amanda Yaprak said a steering committee will need to be created to move forward with the town’s downtown master plan. The steering committee will help make decisions on plans for the downtown.
There needs to be an estimated 12 to 15 people on the committee, and Yaprak thought the committee needed to meet about three to five times every six months.
Once it is figured out who wants to be on the committee, Yaprak suggested possibly having focus groups and possibly getting community input.
If anyone is interested in being on the committee, they can contact Yaprak at the clerk’s office.
In other business, the council:
• Heard the lead service inventory is complete.
Utilities Superintendent Josh Shepherd said about a dozen letters were sent out to people whose lines couldn’t be 100% identified as lead or not. Yaprak said the letters stated there were some possible safety concerns due to the fact the lines weren’t 100% identified.
Shepherd said a representative from Commonwealth Engineers may come to the council’s December meeting to discuss the results of the lead service inventory.
• Town Marshal Keaton Schopf introduced Ryan Piper to the council. Piper is one of the top four people who applied for the deputy town marshal position.
Piper said he has law enforcement experience. He is also a firearms instructor.
He is married with four children. He grew up in Kosciusko County and has a sister in Mentone.
• Moved its January meeting from Jan. 1 to Jan. 8.



Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092

e-Edition


e-edition

Sign up


for our email newsletters

Weekly Top Stories

Sign up to get our top stories delivered to your inbox every Sunday

Daily Updates & Breaking News Alerts

Sign up to get our daily updates and breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox daily

Latest Stories


Wawasee Cruises To Opening Night Win Over Manchester
Two more area teams began their respective girls basketball seasons at the Hardwood Teepee Wednesday night, as Wawasee hosted Manchester in a cross-county matchup. The home team started the game by getting out in front early and never surrendered that lead, holding on to a 54-37 wire-to-wire victory.

Salvation Army Bell Ringing Drawing
The Salvation Army held its annual bell ringing drawing for Saturdays recently at the Kosciusko County Community Foundation office in Warsaw.

Church Of The Good Shepherd To Celebrate 100th Anniversary With Open House
WINONA LAKE – The Church of the Good Shepherd will celebrate its 100th anniversary Saturday with an open house.

Fire Territory Board 3rd To Reject Merit System
Following the Warsaw Common Council and the Board of Public Works and Safety’s votes, the Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory Board on Wednesday approved the resolution rejecting the merit board system for the fire department.

Mentone Council Approves Increase In Trash Pickup Rates
MENTONE – Trash rates will go up for residents as Mentone Town Council approved raising rates Wednesday, effective Jan. 1.