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MENTONE - The town will look into getting its first stop light due to concerns about children crossing the highway to get to the new library.
Mentone Town Councilman Mark Hughes said during Monday's meeting that officials at Bell Memorial Public Library would like to have a traffic light at the intersection of Broadway and Main streets.
Because Main Street - Ind. 25 - is a state highway, the matter will need to be presented to the Indiana Department of Transportation.
In a related matter, the renovation of the former Frank Manufacturing building continues and, although the library hopes to occupy its new facility by early January, grant administrator Bob Murphy said that isn't likely.
Several change orders were approved by the council, with some costs added and some reduced, bringing the total amount of changes to $30,000 more than where the project previously stood.
The council will look into the cost of replacing the sidewalks on Broadway and Main streets to allow for the library entrances to be made handicap accessible.
The town has a 50-50 program for sidewalks and curbs, but the cost for replacing the sidewalks in question would deplete the entire fund and more. However, the work could be used as part of the town's in-kind contribution required through the grant funding the project. A portion of the town's Economic Development Income Tax dividends also has been earmarked toward the in-kind fees.
In other business, the council tabled discussion of the purchase of a new police vehicle until it can be determined how much money is available in the 2002 budget that could be encumbered for the purchase and added to the equipment fund for the 2003 budget. The matter is expected to be decided at the end-of-year meeting set for 7 p.m. Dec. 26 in the town hall.
The next regular meeting is at 7 p.m. Jan. 6 in the town hall. Council members are Ed Rock, Mike Diemer and Mark Hughes.
