Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
MENTONE - Employees at Mentone will receive pay increases next year, thanks to the passage Monday night of the 1999 salary ordinance.
Under the ordinance, the clerk-treasurer's pay is $22,675, up from $21,800; the town marshal's pay goes from $26,500 to $28,250; deputy marshal from $22,500 to $23,500; utilities superintendent from $30,600 to $31,825; and street superintendent from $29,400 to $30,625. Part-time employees will be paid $5.50 to $7 per hour.
The ordinance also allows for the town council president to be paid $1,800 and regular council members $1,700 each for their year of service. These figures remain the same as last year.
In other business, the Mentone Town Council discussed possibilities for rectifying what at least one business owner perceives as a parking problem in town.
Bill Winn, owner of Mentone Pill Box, sent a letter to the council asking if all-day parking lot could be established for employees of downtown business rather than having them take up spaces needed for customers.
The council decided to approach the Chamber of Commerce and possibly suggest that employees park on the north half of the block on Broadway Street, rather than the south half, or to come up with some other solution.
The council also:
• Adopted an ordinance allowing the town marshal to hire his own deputy marshals. The council retains final approval of the hiring after the marshal completes the interview process.
Also, it was announced that the deadline for receiving applications for deputy marshal is July 17. Marshal Jim Eads and council members will review the applications during an executive session at 6 p.m. July 28 before any interviews are conducted.
• Issued a reminder that T.C. Construction has been awarded the job for installation of sidewalks and curbs on the town's 50-50 project. Anyone wanted such work done should have their name placed on the list with the clerk-treasurer. Work will be performed on a first-come, first-served basis and the town will only pay half the cost if the work is done by the chosen contractor.
• Set a special meeting for any resident dissatisfied with the finish work done by Roberts Construction following completion of the water project. Residents can meet with council members at 7 p.m. Monday in the town hall.
• Gave permission for street superintendent Darrel Miller to attend the Indiana Street Commissioners Convention Sept. 9-11 at Nashville. Costs are $75 for registration and $138 for lodging, plus meals and lodging.
• Approved police department purchases of a siren megaphone for $159 from Gall's and a 19-inch RCA combination television/VCR for $329 from Wal-Mart. The television will be used for viewing training videos.
The next regular meeting is at 7 p.m. Aug. 3 in the town hall.
