Mentone Looks Into Odor Problem

MENTONE - "The town stinks."

Five residents concerned with the odor hanging over the town approached the Mentone Town Council Monday to see what could be done about the problem.

Roger Moriarty of Harvard Street said he is concerned with health issues and the effect the problem could be having on drinking water.

"I would think that something that smells that bad would have to be adverse on health," Moriarty said.

Jerry Zolman of East Jackson Street said if he was looking for a house or a business location, he wouldn't choose Mentone because of the odor.

Butch Warren of South Oak Street simply said, "The town stinks."

The town has looked into this problem in the past and it is believed that the odor is originating at Mentone Egg Products/Midwest Poultry Services. Petitions were reportedly circulated in the late 1980s and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management was contacted, but nothing is believed to have been done about the matter.

However, according to utilities superintendent Brian Reed, the current problem is not the same type of situation as the one in the past.

"We could speculate all day long about what's causing it," said council president Ed Rock, "but we don't know."

The odor seems to worsen in warmer weather, but was also present this winter.

"You go out and take a good ol' breath of crisp cold air and about puke," Moriarty said.

Of the three council members, "I'm closest to it," said Ed Lamar. "Last summer it wasn't that bad, but this spring it's terrible."

The odor doesn't just hang in the air near the business, either. Town Marshal Jim Eads said he was patrolling recently and could smell it as far out as CR 500S.

Council members agreed that the town attorney, Larry Beeson, should write a letter to Midwest Poultry Services asking the reasons for the odor, the plan for fixing the problem and what the business would like to tell residents about it.

"If there's something that has to be done to take care of it, it's the town's responsibility to see that it's done no matter how much it costs them," Zolman said.

In other matters, the council opted to include alleys in the 50/50 sidewalk and curbing project offered annually.

Warren proposed the issue to the council and, after discussion, it was decided it would be a good idea.

"We've stayed away from paving alleys, but that's an interesting twist to make some improvements to the town," said Reed.

It was stressed that the town will offer the alley paving, but will not do driveways. Residents interested in having an alley paved can contact the clerk-treasurer and be placed on a list. The work will be done on a first-come, first-served basis and will be completed while funds are available.

At least two alleys - one behind the post office and one behind the library - are already paved, and the town would benefit from additional paved alleys. The paving will be done according to specifications spelled out by the town, and residents wanting to help pave an alley will have the opportunity to decline if the cost is too much.

The council also approved the purchase of a new mower, pending the availability of funds and allowing for a transfer, if needed.

The mower with 60-inch deck is identical to one the town already owns and will be purchased from Hoffman Simplicity, Warsaw, for $6,340. The only other quote received was for another model at $7,250.

In other business, the council:

• Tabled discussion on improving an undeveloped portion of Tucker Street, where a landowner is interested in selling off lots. The town will check the costs of making those improvements and the availability of utilities in the area before providing an answer to the realtor representing the owner.

• Learned a 7 p.m. May 22 organization meeting of the wellhead protection committee is set at the town hall.

• Approved costs for Jim Tibbetts to attend three days of State Board of Accounts meetings in Indianapolis in June.

• Agreed that the changes in costs for employee insurance "are not acceptable" and want to look into it more before a decision is made.

• Tabled taking a stand on whether to help fund the library project. Tibbetts told the councilmen a decision should be made soon so that money can be budgeted, if necessary. "We don't even have a property to begin with, so I've got a hard time saying, 'Here's what we're going to do.'"

• Set an executive session for 6 p.m May 24 in the town hall to start development of a capital improvement plan for Economic Development Income Tax funds.

The Mentone Town Council comprises Ed Rock, Ed Lamar and Mike Diemer. The next regular meeting is at 7 p.m. June 5 in the town hall.