Mentone Residents, Council President Face off over Water Bills
Posted
David Slone-dslone@timesuniononline.com
MENTONE – Some residents are falling so behind on paying their water bill that Mentone Town Council President Tim Croy decided Monday night to call out residents at one address.
However, not everyone is happy that Croy singled them out during a public meeting.
Croy said residents at 111 N. Broadway St. are several months behind on their water bill. However, he said they put in a pool and are using water they’re not expecting to pay for.
“We expect them to pay,” Croy said. “That to me is abusing the system.”
Now, he said, since he is serving as the town’s building inspector, anyone who applies for a building permit for a shed, fence, pool, etc., has to be current on their water bill or he won’t issue them a permit.
“They know they can’t pay, but turn around and put 3,000 gallons of water in a pool,” Croy said, “I feel they should know better.”
Mentone is looking at raising water rates, but taxpayers then have to support those who don’t pay their water bill. Croy didn’t see that as right.
Shelly Krueger, councilwoman, said she understood what Croy said but she didn’t think they needed to publicly name anyone who was behind on their bill.
“But everything else is correct,” she said.
Town attorney Larry Beeson said Winona Holdings LLC wants the town to annex an acre of land south of Winona’s property.
Beeson said the town needs to schedule a public hearing 60 days after the annexation was introduced, which he then did. He also will advertise the annexation information in the newspaper this week.
The public hearing for the annexation was scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Oct. 15.
Utilities Superintendent Josh Shepherd asked the town council for its opinion on him purchasing a new pickup truck. He got a quote from Rice Ford.
Shepherd said the town has a 2002 dump truck, with only 50,000 miles on it, but he wants a pickup truck and he will put a snow plow on it.
Pickups range from $30,000 to $39,000, but Shepherd will get $5,500 for the trade in. For $500 more, Shepherd can get a one-ton pickup instead of a half ton.
Total cost will be around $28,000.
Shepherd said $14,000 of the cost can come out of the new equipment fund.
The council approved for Shepherd to trade in the old truck and get a new pickup.
Croy reminded the public that applications for the Energizing Indiana are still available at the bulletin board in the town hall or at the library. Everyone qualifies, and the program is not income based.
The program will take place during Day of Caring Aug. 15.
Energy advisors will guide residents through the process to produce long-term, cost-effective energy savings by analyzing their energy use, recommending appropriate efficiency measures and by installing several low-cost energy-saving measures. They will assess the heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems in residents’ home to determine if they are operating efficiently.
Croy said they will replace up to nine traditional incandescent light bulbs with efficients CFLs, install low-flow faucet aerators, install low-flow shower heads and possibly put water heater insulation wraps on electric heaters only.
For every home enrolled through Mentone that completes the assessment, the town will receive $25 as a grant match.
The public hearing for the town’s 2013 budget will be Sept. 10 at 6 p.m. Budget adoption is set for 6 p.m. Oct. 1.
The town council usually meets on the first Monday of every month. Since the first Monday in September is Labor Day, the September meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 10.
Ross asked if the town will have a fall cleanup this year as she’s been asked by several residents about it. Croy said there were no plans at this time to have one.
Krueger thanked Shepherd and his department for the new handicapped parking spot at Broadway Street.
Shepherd said the bridges at the park and cemetery need addressed. The bridge at the park had three boards pulled out.
Croy said Diane Warren, who was Mentone’s postmaster for 23 years, retired.
