Mentone Man Requests Variance for Farm Animals at Home
Posted
David Slone-dslone@timesuniononline.com
MENTONE – Urban farming is the cultivating, processing and distributing of food in an urban area. It also can involve animal husbandry and other agricultural activities.
Resident David Hudson told the Mentone Town Council Monday night that he thinks the town should adjust its ordinance to allow urban farming. Residents then would be able to have geese, ducks, chickens, goats and other small farm animals on their property.
“It’s something to look at to make Mentone a friendlier, greener community,” Hudson said.
Until the board does that, Hudson requested a variance to allow his chickens. He said he’s already had them for nine months and received no complaints.
Tim Croy, council president, said he’s had no problem with allowing Hudson to keep his chickens until the board can decide what to do about urban farming. Croy asked town attorney Larry Beeson if they could legally provide Hudson a variance until the town comes up with an ordinance.
“I don’t see any problem with it,” Beeson said.
Croy made the motion to give Hudson a variance for 30 days until the council members can research the issue and discuss it at the Dec. 5 meeting. The motion was approved.
Town Marshal Jim Eads asked about the police department’s F150 being replaced. Quotes have to be gathered now so they can encumber money at the end of the year to help pay for the truck next year if they are going to replace the truck.
“Do you want to move forward with that? It’s starting to show its age a bit,” Eads said.
Clerk-Treasurer Barb Ross said there won’t be much money left at the end of this year for new equipment.
“There will be a little, but not a lot to encumber,” she said.
Kent Ganshorn, councilman, asked if Eads planned to purchase another pickup for the department. Eads said he’d rather have the truck than a car. Ganshorn said he understands the resale of the truck would be better than the car, but the car would get better gas mileage and the insurance may be lower on the car.
Eads said the pickup allows them to do more and haul more, like loose dogs.
A patron commented that they are a farming community and you can’t very well take a car over farm ground.
Eads said the truck wouldn’t be much more than the price of the Crown Victoria car. Terry Engstrand, deputy, said going from one side of town to the other in a pickup won’t make much difference in gas over a car.
Eads will provide quotes for a pickup and a Crown Victoria car at the December meeting.
On Dec. 6 in South Bend, Eads requested that he and Engstrand attend meth training. The training is free and both men want to attend.
“Definitely,” said councilwoman Jill Gross.
Two weeks ago, on a Saturday, Eads reported the Mentone Police Dept. participated in a pill drop-off. At the beginning, it was slow, but by the time they were finished they collected two garbage bags of pill bottles with pills in them and other things. Eads said people were surprised at how much they collected, especially since the event wasn’t very well publicized.
Utilities Superintendent Eric Carlin reported leaf pick-up is in full swing, with Nov. 23 being the last day.
“After that, box, barrel or bag them or something with a ‘B’,” Carlin said.
Croy asked if a resident lives near a catch basin, if they could keep leaves off it.
Carlin said a flow meter at the wastewater treatment plant has gone bad and is 21 years old. He wanted to make the council aware of the upcoming expense, which will be $7,887 installed.
He also requested to purchase a John Deere lawnmower from Gilsinger’s for $5,850. The oldest lawnmower he wants to replace is a 2003. The John Deere has a 50-inch deck and 27 horsepower.
The council approved Carlin’s request to purchase the new mower. They also approved his request to purchase generators for wells for $2,950.
Ross said she heard back from the railroad company again regarding the agreement for the town to have an easement for sewer lines running under the railroad. She said the town has to pay $3,340 then the town won’t have to mess with the railroad company again regarding the easement.
“It’s the same agreement they gave us back in 2006 and amazingly they haven’t added another $300 on it,” Beeson said.
Ross said they thought they settled it several years ago.
The council approved to pay the $3,340 and be done with it.
