Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
MENTONE - After 19 years with the town, Mentone's utility superintendent has resigned.
Town Council President Tim Croy read Brian Reed's resignation letter at Monday's meeting. Reed wrote Mentone has been a great place to live and raise his family. He is taking a management position in the private sector, and his resignation is effective immediately.
Croy said the town is not going to replace him, but are going to use who they have now and review the situation after the first of the year.
Clerk-Treasurer Barbara Ross told the council they need to do something about the town's sewer rates. Umbaugh & Associates several years ago told the town they needed to increase the sewer rates in 2007. During the past three years, the town's water rates were increased gradually. Now, it's time to increase the sewer rates. Ross said she will contact Umbaugh & Associates and have them send a representative to the next town council meeting.
Town Marshall Jim Eads said he had another man come in and express interest in being a third reserve officer for the town. The cost to outfit him, Eads said, would be about $700 including uniform, gear and a weapon. The police department already has a vest for him.
The man already is a reserve for another department and has his own weapon. Though Eads said he'd like all the Mentone officers to use the same weapons, the new reserve officer could use his other weapon.
Town councilman Jack Simpson told Eads to bring him on board and let him use his own weapon for six months. After six months, Simpson said they can see how it is working out.
The new reserve also wants to work third shift, which fills a need for the town, Eads said.
Croy told Eads to proceed with the third reserve officer. The new officer has not told the other police department of his interest in working with the Mentone Police Department yet, so Eads did not release the man's name.
Eads also told the council the police department will purchase two Tasers for $799 apiece. "It's just another tool to use on the street," said Eads.
Croy said insurance companies prefer officers to use a Taser over a gun with a magazine.
The Tasers were approved to be purchased with money from the 2007 budget.
Eads said his deputy officer, one reserve officer and himself already qualified for Tasers.
"It's amazing what it does," Eads said. When a Taser hits you, Eads said it locks your body up for five seconds.
In other business, the council:
• Transferred $20,000 from the sewer depreciation fund to sewer operating fund.
• Approved a motion made by Simpson to pursue two grants totaling $7,500 from the Kosciusko County Foundation for park playground equipment. The grants require the town to raise matching funds.
• Decided that instead of an end-of-year meeting to approve transfer of funds, Ross may go ahead and transfer the funds as needed. The council then will review the transfers at their Jan. 8 meeting.
• Approved a letter supporting Bell Museum's pursuit of grants.
• Signed two ordinances regulating fences and accessory buildings in town.
• Heard the police department received a $3,500 grant from KCODE for night vision equipment in 2007.
Eads also told the council a surveillance camera was donated and will be placed on the Mentone Community Emergency Services Building to monitor Main Street. Eads will need to buy a power supply and cables for the camera.
Within the next 60 to 90 days, Eads also will purchase a new computer in the $950 range from his deputy officer.
Members of the town council are Croy, Simpson and Roger Long.
