Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
MENTONE - Pursuit of two grants was approved Monday by the Mentone Town Council.
During a public hearing at the start of the meeting, the council agreed to resubmit the Department of Commerce Community Focus Fund grant for renovation of the Saemann building.
The $500,000 grant request is for assistance in converting the vacant structure into the new location for Bell Memorial Library, with incorporation of a day care center and other community-related spaces in the facility.
A previous submission of the grant was rejected because the town hadn't yet acquired nonprofit status for the proposed day care center, according to Tim Kelty of Murphy & Associates of Larwill, the firm hired by the town to administer the grant.
The total cost for the project is expected to be $1,138,868.18 - an estimate made by the architect - and the bulk of the local funds will come from a library bond issue.
The deadline to submit the project proposal is Jan. 26, with an application deadline of March 7.
Another DOC grant to be sought would help the town build a septage facility.
Utilities superintendent Brian Reed invited Mark Harrison of Natural Concepts Engineering Inc., Lizton, and Shannon McLeod of Priority Project Resources, Indianapolis, to present information about the proposal to the council.
Harrison said the town must consider the future of its septage disposal from the individual septic tanks placed at residences throughout the town when the community's sewer system was updated several years ago.
Harrison said added that there are not a lot of rules on septage disposal versus land application and "they're getting away with murder." He added the rules for disposal will be tightened up in the future and "the town should look at taking care of septage disposal in-house."
At this point, the town approved completing an income survey in town to determine whether it qualifies for a DOC Community Planning Grant to pursue the project. The income survey will cost about $1,500.
McLeod will assist the town in procuring the grant and said she doesn't believe that the pending grant for the library will affect the town's ability to pursue a second DOC grant.
Approval was given Monday to move ahead with the project study to move forward with a grant application.
In other business, the council gave Town Marshal Jim Eads permission to shop for a new police vehicle to replace the car that burned last month due to an electrical short.
Eads said the insurance company is providing $5,900 for the value of the vehicle, plus $8,700 for the contents, including a radar gun, video unit and radio.
The council approved a motion to spend up to $14,000 for a replacement vehicle. Eads presented several estimates for new and used vehicles, including refurbished police cars from a company in Ohio that offers them starting at $14,000.
Council president Ed Rock suggested Eads look at 1996 or 1997 models instead of 1999 or 2000 models, for which estimates began at about $16,000.
The council also:
• Voted to join the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns and to pay the annual dues of $730.
• Approved the purchase of one mobile and one hand-held radio for the street department at a total cost of $360.
• Gave permission for Reed and street superintendent Darrel Miller to attend an AWWA conference in Indianapolis in February. The cost for registration for the two men is $170, with lodging at $182 for the two-day conference. Reed and Miller must attend continuing education courses throughout the year to maintain necessary certification to perform their duties.
• Announced bids will be sought for mowing the town park and cemetery.
Members of the Mentone Town Council are Ed Rock, Ed Lamar and Mike Diemer. The council meets at 7 p.m. the first Monday of each month in the town hall.
