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MENTONE - A request from a local business to allow an Internet provider to erect an antenna on the town's water tower was tabled until the council can do a little research.
John Leonard of Midwest Spring approached the Mentone Town Council Monday night in hopes of having Wave One Communications of Warsaw be given the go-ahead to place an antenna and related equipment on the water tower so that a wireless service would be made available in the Mentone area.
However, Mike Yazel of MedT.com of Mentone said that he had a problem with a for-profit company utilizing taxpayer property for such an endeavor.
"Cargill's is a private business and the highest thing in town," Yazel said. "I don't have a problem with them putting it there."
Phil Lewis of Wave One told the council that he needs a high place for the antenna to get the signal out, and the water tower "is about the highest spot around here."
Lewis' purpose at the meeting was to get permission to put his equipment on the tower; Leonard was hoping to get the job done to assist him in accessing the Internet for work-related projects.
"Many customers are asking for communication via the Internet," Leonard said. "We are hampered by the fact that we don't have enough telephone lines coming into the building ... (and) we have a real need for good Internet service." He added that other businesses in town are interested in such a service, and Lewis said about 50 residents in the Mentone/Burket area are asking for high-speed Internet service.
The council is concerned with liability issues with the equipment being on the town's water tower, as well as any problems which might surface when the water tower requires repainting. The matter will be addressed again at the May meeting.
The council voted to once again move its meeting date. A recent switch to the third Monday of each month proved a conflict with the monthly fire/EMS meeting. The council meetings, beginning May 4, will again commence on the first Monday of each month at 7 p.m.
The decision to change passed on a 2-1 vote, with Lynn Phillips dissenting. Clerk-treasurer Cheryl Phillips noted her concern with having the council meeting so early in the month because she often can't have her balance sheets prepared in time.
Also passing on a 2-1 vote was a decision to hire a new town attorney.
The council voted to terminate its agreement with Tom Earhart of Warsaw and hire Larry Beeson, who has offices in Warsaw and Bourbon.
Cheryl Phillips said that Beeson told her that he has little experience in municipal law and would prefer to keep Earhart.
However, council member Forrest Kantner said that he has not been happy with some of the work Earhart has done for the town. Seeking new counsel for the town has been discussed off and on since December.
Phillips said that if the council didn't want to keep Earhart that she would not write the letter telling him so. Council president Ed Rock said that he will draft a letter to Earhart. The dissenting vote in the matter again came from Lynn Phillips.
Beeson's fee is $80 per hour and he will attend regular monthly meetings without a retainer. Also submitting quotes for the job were Wayne Steele of Rochester at $90 per hour, plus an $1,800 retainer if required to attend monthly meetings, and Rockhill, Pinnick, Pequignot, Helm, Landis & Rigdon at $135 per hour and a $2,400 retainer.
In other business, the council asked street superintendent Darrel Miller to look into the possibility of rails or posts along the alley behind Sand's Mini Mart.
Max Holloway told the council that there has been a problem with cars coming off the alley and striking his father's house located there. Such accidents have occurred four times since the alley was paved, costing a total of about $1,200 to repair.
"I don't know if it's slick and they can't get stopped," Holloway said, "but they don't stop and tell you who did it, either."
In other matters, the council:
• Approved paving streets in the cemetery for a cost of $12,195.50. That low bid was received from Jim Keirn Excavating & Hauling and is for a total of 2,300 feet of limestone roadways.
Other bids received were $17,349 from E&B Paving and $21,613 from Phend & Brown.
• Voted to seek bids on having sidewalk and curb work done in town. Interested contractors should submit a price per square foot to the clerk-treasurer. Any residents interested in having sidewalks or curbing replaced should have their names placed on a list at the clerk's office. The work will be done on a first come-first served basis and the cost will be split 50-50 between the town and the resident.
• Set spring cleanup for May 15. A list of items which can and cannot be picked up is available at the clerk's office.
• Tabled purchase of a lawn mower until utilities superintendent Brian Reed can test drive the different models for which bids were received.
