Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Mentone council president Mike Casper tendered his resignation at Monday's meeting, effective at the end of this month.
Casper said increased responsibilities in his job forced him to make this decision. He feels he no longer has adequate time to devote to town business. Wayne Tombaugh will be contacted to appoint someone to finish Casper's term, which runs until December 1999.
The council voted to install a time clock to be used by water department employees. Utilities superintendent Brian Reed asked if the use of a time clock indicated a lack of trust in his department. The council said the reason for a time clock was to enable them to document time worked. A decision was made to install the clock at the water department for convenience; employees don't have to punch in before handling emergencies.
Reed asked to be placed on hourly status, saying if he is going to punch a clock, he wants paid for his time. He is on salary now and overtime is figured on a straight time basis and taken as time off instead of pay. He will be given a decision by the end of the year.
In other business, council received a timeline for the water project from Shannon McCleod of Commonwealth Engineers. McCleod said the final plans and specifications will be submitted to IDEM by Dec. 31. The town will advertise for bids Jan. 7, with bids being opened Feb. 7. Local financing will be settled, contract documents and a notice to proceed issued on April 7. Substantial completion is expected by Dec. 7, 1997, with full completion of the project by Jan. 7, 1998.
Time delays will occur if IDEM takes longer than three months for approval.
The council voted to encumber $7,000 for land purchases for the project.
