Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
MENTONE - Council members want a resident to try to work out a parking problem with his business neighbor on his own, if possible.
"It's my experience that it would be a lot smoother transition if you can work it out between the two entities versus getting a government entity involved," said Mentone Town Council President Ed Rock.
Those comments were addressed to North Broadway Street resident Kent Ganshorn during Monday's regular council meeting. Ganshorn lives across from Mentone Egg Products. At one time, the area in front of Ganshorn's residence was stoned to allow for semi tractor/trailers from the business to pull through the town right of way portion of the yard without tearing up the grass. No-parking signs were posted there to ensure that the area remained open for the semi traffic to clear.
However, the business no longer uses the area for semis and the no-parking signs have been stolen. As a result, Ganshorn is having a problem with cars parking on the stoned area and he's had no luck preventing people from parking there by roping off the area because someone has taken down the rope four times. Also, Ganshorn said he would like to rake out the stones and replant the area to grass, but doesn't want anyone to park there once that's done.
Ganshorn agreed to approach Mentone Egg officials to determine if something can be worked out with the business.
"I would prefer to see it worked out" that way, Rock said. "If you're willing to do it, let's try. ... If you don't get that cooperation with them, then we expect to see you here again."
In other business, Ganshorn complained to the council about a dog coming into his yard and "jumping" his dog that was tied there. He said he doesn't like to call the police because "they've got better things to do than chase dogs."
Town marshal Jim Eads said it would help if everyone would be a good neighbor and leash or fence their animals.
In another matter, utilities superintendent Brian Reed was asked to better justify the need for a new mower for the park, cemetery and utilities.
Reed asked permission to purchase an X Mark 72-inch mower for $7,700, which is the municipality discount cost of the $10,000 mower.
The town currently has two 60-inch X Marks - a 1998 and a 2000 model - and a 54-inch John Deere, which Reed said he hopes to auction off.
The town recently voted to keep its mowing services in-house rather than to contract out for the work and will pay $6,500 into the utilities budget to cover the cost. The lowest bid to have the work done on contract was $6,750.
If the town agreed to purchase the mower, Reed said, $3,000 of the cost would need to come from the general fund, with the remainder paid out of utilities.
"If we're gonna spend $3,000, then we lost money on this deal. We should have accepted the bid," said board member Ed Lamar.
"I agree 110 percent," Reed said. "There are several other things that we could be doing with our time than mowing the cemetery and park ... maybe next time if a bid is within $250, you should take it."
The matter was tabled until additional costs are reviewed.
In additional business:
• The Indiana Department of Transportation will be contacted regarding trimming a tree blocking motorists' view on Ind. 19 at Etna Street.
• The town will do street sweeping May 21-23. Residents are asked to refrain from parking on the north and east sides of streets on May 21 and on the south and west sides of streets on May 22. May 23 will be reserved for street sweeping areas that were skipped due to lack of resident cooperation with the parking requests.
• Fire hydrants will be flushed Wednesday and Thursday. Residents may experience lower water pressure and discoloration in the water.
• Permission was given to allot $1,500 of the money budgeted for the park to get ready for the season. Gravel will be spread and lights fixed, as well as new basketball poles being erected and lines painted on the courts.
• The Mentone Police Department was given approval to establish a reserve program and to hire one volunteer to help cover hours that regular officers are not scheduled. The town also approved setting up a K-9 Support Gift Fund to receive donations to cover the $1,500 training for the department's dog, "Toby," and future related expenses.
• Stenciled warnings about the ban of bicycle and skateboard use on downtown sidewalks will be applied at the entrances to the affected areas.
• Large item trash pickup is set for May 18. A list of allowable items is posted at the town hall and was mailed with the latest water bills.
• The Mentone Cemetery Board will meet at 6 p.m. Monday in the town hall.
Mentone Town Council members are Ed Rock, Ed Lamar and Mike Diemer. The council meets at 7 p.m. the first Monday of each month in the town hall.
