MENTONE – The Lions Club has some money it wants to use to help the town, Jerry Zolman told the Mentone Town Council Tuesday evening. He said the organization wants to give money for “springs and flags” to mark the fire hydrants in town so they can be identified when there’s snow this winter. Zolman said he wasn’t sure if the donation had to come through the town or fire department. Council President Tim Croy directed him toward the fire department. Zolman then said, “There’s been a concern about putting a hitching rail up in town for the Amish. And the Lions Club also would like to donate for putting that up.” He said the Club wanted to know if they could put the rail up in the new parking lot in town where the dentist office used to be on Main Street. That building was demolished a couple of years ago. “Back by the alley, was that what you were thinking?” Croy asked. “Yes, someplace where you guys agree,” Zolman said, noting that there’s really not a place for the Amish to hitch up their buggies. Right now, the Amish tie their horses up to the fence behind Ace Hardware but that fence is starting to wear. Deputy Terry Engstrand said there’s a tie location for the Amish behind Dollar General. Zolman said that’s what he thought, but someone else mentioned to him that it’s kind of out of the way. Zolman said the Lions Club doesn’t care where the town wants to put one, it just wants to help with it. After some discussion about who would clean up the horse manure, Croy told Zolman to get with Utilities Superintendent Josh Shepherd to discuss the location of a hitching post for the Amish. There are two events going on this weekend, which the Amish and non-Amish alike can enjoy. Croy reminded the public of Rotors Over Mentone taking place Saturday starting at 10 a.m. at the Lawrence D. Bell Aircraft Museum. The theme of the program, which starts at 11 a.m., is celebrating women of war and peace time. The Garden Tractor Show is Friday and Saturday north of town at the well field, according to Shepherd. It’s going on most of the day both days. In other business, the council: • Heard from Shepherd that the fence by Custom Fencing at the cemetery was done “what we could afford to do.” Custom Fence installed approximately 230 feet of fence for about $2,800. The rest of the fencing will be finished in 2016. Councilwoman Jill Gross said it looked nice. One of the bigger trees also was cut down in the cemetery, with two more to go when there’s time. Shepherd also reported fire hydrants will be flushed Monday. • Heard a report from Town Marshal Jim Eads that his police department applied for a bulletproof vest grant and were awarded last week a 50/50 grant. He put in for four vests, and the grant awarded $1,708.72. He asked permission from the council to spend $1,800 for his department’s half of the grant, which they approved. The council also approved for Engstrand to attend his stun gun recertification class Oct. 7-8 in Lebanon, Ind. Cost for the class, hotel and meals will be roughly $400, Eads said. Engstrand must be recertified on the stun gun every three years. • Was reminded by Clerk-Treasurer Barb Ross that the appreciation dinner for the service people of the community is Thursday at 6 p.m. at the United Methodist Church. • Scheduled an executive session for the council only for 6 p.m. Sept. 11. • Heard from Councilwoman Shelly Krueger that the second Saturday in October is the last Saturday for the Farmers Market. • Approved the flood ordinance as town attorney Larry Beeson presented. The council had until Sept. 30 to approve it per the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
