Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
MENTONE - Fences and accessory buildings will be regulated by the town of Mentone if two ordinances councilman Roger Long presented Monday are approved.
Long said he works on these issues for the city of Warsaw all the time. Though they may not seem like a problem at this time, they could become one.
"I deal with fencing quite often through the year and I see things you wouldn't believe," Long said.
Long said he put the ordinances together from combining the ordinances of three other towns to serve Mentone.
"It's to keep the town looking nice," he said.
The ordinances are not set in stone. "I do want input because input is very important for the community," said Long.
Town Council President Tim Croy said the ordinances need to run through the town's zoning board, too.
"I think it's something we need to look into," Croy said
Long said both the fencing and accessory building ordinances have exemptions. The town council will discuss the ordinances at their Nov. 6 meeting. Croy said he will contact Dick Webb, zoning board, and get the board involved.
Another ordinance the town council has been waiting on for the past three years was brought up. Croy asked town attorney Larry Beeson where the water ordinance is that the council has been wanting for the past few years. "We need to get that going," Croy said.
The ordinance keeps wells from coming into Mentone, utilities superintendent Brian Reed said, as well as addresses some other issues.
Beeson said he would get that done.
In other business:
• Reed said fire hydrants will be flushed Oct. 10-11. Residents may notice some water discoloration and pressure variations and may want to refrain from doing laundry those days.
• Approved for Darrell Miller, street department, to take bids for the 1990 Chevy the department wants to get rid of now. A few months ago, the department asked to keep it, but now Miller said they've changed their minds as they found they are not using it as they thought they might and it is just sitting in the way.
• Miller announced leaf pick-up will begin Oct. 21 and will last through Nov. 22. Leaves need to be raked to the curb, up to the street, but not on the street.
• The council scheduled trick or treat for Mentone on Oct. 31 from 6 to 8 p.m.
• Town Marshal Jim Eads gave his monthly police department report. In September, there were 18 new incidents, six new cases, two adults arrested and three juveniles arrested. There were no major cases opened in September, but four traffic-related uniform traffic tickets were given and four "other" tickets.
• The council approved Eads' request to pursue a second reserve officer for Mentone. He already has a man from Fulton County already on mind, and Eads said he has weapons and other gear for the "older gentleman."
Mentone town councilmen are Croy, Long and Jack Simpson. They meet at 6:30 p.m. on the first Monday of every Month in the Mentone Community Emergency Services Building.
