MENTONE - Delinquent water bills in Mentone are getting "terrible," according to Town Council President Tim Croy.
Clerk-treasurer Barb Ross has heard all kinds of excuses, Croy said, so he wants the town to do something about the past due bills.
"I want to humiliate people into paying," Croy said at Monday's town council meeting.He said he wants to put a list of people's names in the newspaper who are behind in their bills, along with how delinquent they are and how much they owe.
Ross said the water bills are suppose to be paid by the 15th of each month. She figures up the penalties for late bills by the 17th or 18th of each month. If a water bill is overdue two months, Ross highlights those bills and customers are told to pay them or the water will be shut off.
Croy said residents can pay for their cell phones, satellite televisions and Internet, but can't pay their water bills.
"I may piss some people off," Croy said. Generally, he said, it's the same people every time who don't pay their water bill.
Ross said the town bends over backwards for people. She said she'd love to be able to shut their water off if they are just 10 days late with paying their water bills.
Eric Carlin, utilities superintendent, said about a dozen to 15 customers are 60 to 90 days past due on their water bills every month.
Croy said they could start naming the people with overdue water bills in May.
Croy then suggested the council meet in executive session at 6:30 p.m. April 22. The reasons a town board may have an executive session are limited to discussion of litigation or pending litigation, contract negotiations and personnel. However, no votes may be taken during an executive session. All votes on any matter must be taken during a public meeting.
Two problems with properties in Mentone also were discussed.
Jack Simpson, town councilman, told town attorney Larry Beeson to send a letter to Ed Tridle regarding Tridle's unoccupied property on the corner of Oak and Monroe streets. Simpson said the glass in the front windows of the home has fallen out, and the house can't be safe. Town Marshall Jim Eads said the roof is starting to fall in, and the door is left open.
Beeson also told the council he is working on the old abandoned gas station property against from the Mentone Community Emergency Services Building on Ind. 25.
The vacant gas station was owned by Herschel Linn, who died in the mid-1990s. There are alleged contaminants under the property, and Beeson said Linn's family doesn't want to take possession of the property.
At one time, Beeson said, attorney Vern Landis handled the estate. Beeson said he is trying to talk to Landis about the property.
If no one will cooperate, Beeson said, the town could condemn the property. Hopefully at the May meeting, Beeson said, he will have a recommendation for the town.
"Does our building inspector have authority to condemn the property?" Croy asked.
"Probably," said Beeson.
Terry Engstrand, Mentone Police Department, said that with the economy as it is, the police department is "definitely seeing an increase in crime." The increase in crime will definitely keep the force busy this summer, he said.
"It's keeping us busy (now), that's for sure," he said.
In March, the police department dealt with 69 incidents, 37 cases, 13 major cases, and made 13 arrests, two of which were felonies.
Engstrand reported there were 33 traffic-related uniform traffic tickets, 74 traffic-related warnings and two ordinance violations.
Five warrants were served, and there were four lock-outs and six accidents.
Reserves worked 108 hours in March.
In other business:
n Mentone spring cleanup is May 14. Croy suggested residents have their items out on the curb by May 13. If any residents have any questions about spring cleanup, they can call Ross at the town hall.
n Fire hydrants will be flushed April 24-25.
n This week and next, Carlin said the cemetery is being cleaned up.
n Carlin requested to purchase a new welder for $1,000, which the town council approved. The utilities department took some scrap in and received about $500 for the scrap, which will help pay for the welder.
n Carlin thanked the Boy Scouts and Kiwanis for painting the town curbs and fire hydrants over the weekend.
n Eads requested to purchase two cameras, body mics and mounting for the police vehicles. The council approved the request, not to exceed $1,800.
Mentone Town Council members are Croy, Simpson and Jill Gross. They meet on the first Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m. in the MCES building.
