MENTONE - Since Nana & Dad's Broadway Tavern, South Broadway Street, Mentone, was destroyed in a fire in October, the remains of the building have just stood there.
The fire caused around $100,000 in damages and the building was considered a total loss.
Monday, the Mentone Town Board discussed the building and how to get the property cleaned up.
Board President Tim Croy said something needs to be done about the building, but there is a question as to who actually owns the building.
"We have to do something, but who do we go after if we're not sure who the property owner is?" Croy asked. He said he looked the property's records up at the county, but the records weren't clear.
Roger Long, councilman, said the town should send a letter to the property owners stating the destroyed property is a safety hazard.
"I think we have to treat it as a nuisance and send them a letter," said Long.
"Since it burned," said Town Marshall Jim Eads, "it's been a nuisance."
Croy said the property was being taken care of, but the work stopped because of the question of who owns the property. Equipment to clean up the property remains on the site.
In other business, the town board:
n Heard from Eric Carlin, utilities department, that the town received its final bill from Dixon Engineering for cleaning work on the water town. The original bill was for $67,000, Carlin said. However, after subtracting $2,500 for work not needed and $5,000 for the company going longer than the contract stated, plus withholding $6,900, the final payment due is $52,600.
n Heard a request from Darrel Miller, utilities department, to purchase a leak detector for less than $3,000. The request was approved.
n Approved to pay $1,315.61 for the town's half of a sidewalk improvement as requested by Rita Simpson, wife of town board member Jack Simpson. Jack abstained from voting on the matter.
Clerk-treasurer Barbara Ross reminded the board that if someone wants to repair a sidewalk in front of their business or home, and have the town pay half the costs, the person must request the funding before any work is started. The sidewalk improvement program has limited funds each year and is on a first-come, first-serve basis.
If a person does not make a request to the town board before any work is started, Ross said the town is not obligated to pay for it.
n Approved an ordinance establishing the rates and charges for garbage and trash collection at $6 per month, a $1 increase over the previous rate.
n Heard a presentation from Phil Hepburn, representing Utility Supply Co., Indianapolis, about Neptune water meters and reading systems.
n Heard from Eads that the town's three reserve officers are working out really well. "They're a good group of guys," Eads said.
In January, the reserve officers logged 64.75 hours.
The Mentone Police Department monthly report for January indicated there were 21 incidents, two cases, three adult arrests, 13 traffic-related tickets and 23 traffic-related warnings.
Town board members are Simpson, Croy and Long. Their regular monthly meetings are on the first Monday of every month.
