MENTONE - Mentone Town Councilman Jack Simpson asked town attorney Larry Beeson for an update on the Ed Tridle property.
After several years of attempting to get Tridle to clean up a property, the council signed an order in September that the building at 408 W. Monroe St., belonging to Ed Tridle, Lorna Kline and Kathy Kinney, is unsafe and was to be demolished by Sept. 30. The property still is not demolished, and Tridle has filed a lawsuit against the town to halt the demolition.Monday night, Beeson told Tridle that the last time he checked on that property, Tridle had not paid his property taxes on it. He owes only about $2,500 to $3,500, Beeson said. If Tridle doesn't pay his taxes by March, Tridle could lose it and the town of Mentone would have another property owner to deal with in the matter.
"Maybe the new owner will do something," said Beeson.
"I would just hate to start over again with someone new," said Simpson.
"He won't let it go," said Barb Ross, clerk-treasurer.
"I'm sure Eddy will get it paid for," said Tim Croy, town council president.
In another matter, the council set a public hearing for a sewer rate increase. The town is building a new wastewater treatment plant and must raise the rates to help pay for it. The meeting will be March 1 at 6:30 p.m. in the Mentone Community Emergency Services Building.
For a residential single family dwelling unit, based on 5,000 gallons, the rate will increase to $32.25. It includes a user charge of $26.40 and debt service of $5.85. The public notice of the meeting and the adjusted sewer rate will be published in the Feb. 8 Times-Union under legal notices.
Ross said the town got its 1782 budget notice from the Department of Local Government Finance. Because of the circuit breaker credits, the town had to reduce its general fund by $60 and its cumulative capital development fund by $3.
"We have to make note of it," said Ross.
The council voted to take the $60 for general fund out of the park fund.
In other business, the town council:
n Reported the town received a letter thanking the town employees for snow plowing. The letter said the employees do a good job and it helps the older folks of the community.
n Renewed its Indiana Chamber of Commerce membership for $350. Ross said the town joins to get lower insurance.
n Approved for Town Marshal Jim Eads and deputy Terry Engstrand to join the Fraternal Order of Police in the area for $40 each. The $80 will be paid by the town.
