Egg-Shaped Water Tower Not All That Unusual

MENTONE - An Indianapolis engineer reports that an egg-shaped water tower is not as odd as it may sound to local residents.

Ketchup bottles and castle columns are examples of novelty tanks that Mark D. Downey Jr., of Commonwealth Engineers, Indianapolis, has seen.

"There are all kinds of things that can be done," said Downey, "but they have to be feasible."

Town council members are investigating the possibility of privately financing the additional costs of an egg-shaped tower, while Downey is making sure the Department of Commerce will approve the use of private funds.

The firm is trying to ensure that private community members could pay the additional cost of the special tank without facing DOC recourse.

The firm reported Thursday they are waiting for a response.

The DOC has said using public funds for the egg would endanger further grants for Mentone. The town council wants to be sure that private contributions for the egg will not be scrutinized.

"We need to get something in writing," said Downey.

Downey noted an egg-shaped tank is made for methane gas storage that could be altered for use in Mentone.

While the egg-shaped water tower has created some national attention, it hasn't rallied open support from town residents.

"Water is water, whether it comes from an egg-shaped tower or not," said Mentone Town Council member Forrest Kantner. He echoed the sentiment of other Mentone residents.

"If they are jeopardizing their future grants they better back off," said Roy Jeffers at J and J Sales.

But most Mentonites were hesitant to comment on the shape of the new tower.

"I would rather drive a Ford than a Lincoln," one Mentone man said while reflecting on the luxury of the tank. He said the monies could be used for more essential needs.

"To me it is a bunch of malarky, but it would look cool," said another Mentone resident visiting the Real Services lunch at the fire station.

So how did the egg tank get on the drawing board?

"It was suggested to me and I passed it along to the board," said Kantner. "We are not going to do anything that would jeopardize this grant or future grants," he said.

Kantner feels good about the attention the egg tower has created around the country. "It is not adverse publicity. The articles I have seen have been positive," he said.

Reportedly, AP, USA Today and Channel 8 WISH-TV in Indianapolis have mentioned the egg tank.

"What do we have to lose? Potentially there could be a lot of gain," said Kantner. He called the tower a novel idea that sets Mentone apart.

Kantner noted a lot of people don't realize how many people stop to take photos next to the town's roadside egg.

The original Mentone egg is on the corner of Ind. 25 and Morgan Street. Designed in 1946 as a promotion for the 1946 Egg Festival, it measures 12 feet high and weighs 3,000 pounds.