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MENTONE – Mentone Town Council held a public hearing for a petition for annexation Wednesday.
The town received a request from Brian Romine to annex a property owned by the Brian and Pamela Romine Trust.
The area proposed for annexation is generally east of Ind. 19, west of Tucker Myers & Hackendorn’s addition and north of the residential properties north of West Harrison Street. The annexation area is about 50.1 acres.
Wednesday’s public hearing was the second hearing the council held regarding the annexation, with the first taken place in September. During the Sept. 23 hearing, adjacent land owners Debbie and Richard Larew expressed their concerns about subsurface drainage at the property.
Town attorney Austin Rovenstine had recommended at the Sept. 2 meeting that they get the signatures of both trustees so the council would have the information to make a decision on. As of the Sept. 23 public hearing, both trustees had not signed the petition, so it was Rovenstine’s recommendation the council table the petition at that time. The petition was resubmitted, which restarted the process.
During Wednesday’s hearing, Tim Banghart asked why the Brian and Pamela Romine Trust wanted the land annexed and what would happen to the property after annexation.
Council President Jill Gross said the land is being taxed as farmland, but the property owners are possibly willing to sell and develop it.
Councilman Tim Croy said right now, it broadens the town’s tax base. He doesn’t think there are any plans set in stone. If the town were to annex the land, it would give the town control of what happens with the land.
Rovenstine introduced the ordinance regarding the annexation and said if the council wants to, it can adopt the ordinance at its Dec. 2 meeting.
In other business, the council:
• Heard from Town Marshal Keaton Schopf the Mentone Police Department received a letter of resignation from Deputy Town Marshal Jeremiah Mellott effective Oct. 12.
The letter stated Mellott appreciated the opportunity to serve the town and was grateful for the opportunity. Mellott said in his letter he did not make the decision lightly and wishes the MPD, town residents and the town the best moving forward.
• Approved a backflow ordinance upon second reading.
• Heard from Schopf about the execution of a search warrant as part of an active criminal investigation Oct. 23. He reminded everyone the investigation remains active and ongoing.
• Heard the First Baptist Church had a rake and run event Wednesday where they helped people who needed help raking leaves on their property.
• Heard the Miracle Tree will be put up at the Bell Memorial Public Library Nov. 14.
• Heard the Mentone Chamber of Commerce’s Christmas open house is Nov. 14 at the Mentone Fire Station. The craft show will start at 9 a.m. A silent auction and Christmas tree judging will start at 10 a.m. Santa will be there from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
