Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
MENTONE - Tucker Street was under scrutiny Monday at the Mentone Town Council meeting.
John Russell of Silver Lake wants the town to extend the north end of Tucker Street so he can purchase a plat of lots and erect duplexes.
Victor Waech of North Tucker Street is concerned about a water problem at his residence.
And utilities superintendent Brian Reed would like the town to consider replacing water service lines down Tucker Street.
The council said Russell should return for next month's meeting, at which time cost estimates for extending the street will be received and reviewed. Russell has already built a couple duplexes in town, including one on Broadway Street, and would like one of the proposed units on Tucker Street to be used as a model home for a few months after it is completed.
Council members agreed that any work the town might be responsible for at Waech's residence will be completed as soon as weather permits. Waech is getting chlorinated water from the town's water supply up through a floor drain in his basement.
Reed said attempts to locate a leak on the town's portion of a water line in the area have been unsuccessful. Waech estimates that he pumps about 15 gallons of water out of a sump pump pit every three minutes.
Reed said he believes the water is somehow coming from another residence, but the leak is probably not noticeable because the three-quarter-inch line doesn't flow very quickly.
"The town will fix it if it's the town's problem, but we can't find it," Reed said.
In an unrelated water matter, Reed told council members it is time to replace the water service lines as part of routine maintenance on the town's water system. The 21 connections will be replaced for a cost totaling just less than $15,000. That price does not include the cost of asphalt patches.
In other business, the council:
• Approved payments to contractors and change orders for the ongoing Bell Memorial Public Library project, and reviewed figures for the amounts requested for alternative funding to supply the day care and senior center. The library board recently learned that $250,000 in Build Indiana Funds earmarked for the day care and senior center portion of the project was frozen and will not be available.
• Gave permission for clerk-treasurer Jim Tibbets to purchase a new laser jet printer compatible with the water bills for a cost not to exceed $1,100.
• Learned that deputy marshal Gary Craft is expected to leave his position with the police department for a job in the private sector. The council is supportive of town marshal Jim Eads' option to hire the town's part-time officer as a full-time deputy marshal. Craft would remain with the department as a reserve officer, performing duties on a part-time basis without compensation.
• Discussed letting bids for mowing the park and cemetery. Council president Ed Rock said the town gets better results when town employees do the work, but Reed said he would like to see bids on the work.
• Was told by town attorney Larry Beeson that the late Ida Mae Hoffman left $1,200 to the Mentone Cemetery Endowment Fund.
• Approved the purchase of a character generator for placing notices on the local channel of the cable television service. The cost is approximately $350.
The council meets at 7 p.m. the first Monday of each month in the town hall. Due to a scheduling conflict for April, however, the meeting has been moved to April 14.
Council members are Ed Rock, Mike Diemer and Mark Hughes.
