Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
MENTONE - Ongoing discussions regarding the purchase of a new police vehicle culminated Monday night when the Mentone Town Council approved the request.
The council previously encumbered $10,000 to be used toward the purchase and, combined with that money, agreed that up to $15,000 and the trade-in value of the current police vehicle will cover the balance.
In other business, town attorney Larry Beeson told council members that an Indiana Department of Transportation representative suggests the town wait to conduct a traffic study until the new library is opened.
Officials of Bell Memorial Public Library want the town to consider petitioning for a traffic light to help children cross Ind. 25 from the north side of town.
However, Beeson said, the INDOT official believes it would be futile to assess traffic patterns - vehicular or pedestrian - until the library is established.
Beeson also said erecting a light at that location would eliminate several on-street parking spaces.
In a related matter, the council approved change orders and payments in connection with the library renovation. The work is scheduled to be completed by the end of February.
The possibility of vacating an alley behind the new library location remains tabled.
In other matters, the council:
• Looked at making appointments to the various boards in town, such as the park and cemetery boards. Any resident interested in serving on any of the boards can contact the clerk-treasurer. The appointments are expected to be made at the February meeting.
• Elected Ed Rock to serve as council president.
• Approved for the park board to spend up to $1,400 to hook up electricity to the new pole in the park and to purchase pea gravel and stone.
• Approved paying up to $7,000 for materials to extend a water line about 400 feet to a new home on North Tucker Street. The work will be done Wednesday.
• Approved the purchase of chairs for the water plant. Up to $500 can be spent.
The Mentone Town Council meets at 7 p.m. the first Monday of each month in the town hall. Council members are Ed Rock, Mike Diemer and Mark Hughes.
