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MENTONE - Grass on several properties in the town of Mentone is growing out of control, council president Mark Hughes said Monday at the town council meeting.
Jim Eads, town marshal, said he is contacting a few property owners about the grass. "We're trying to move along on them."
If the town takes care of it, said Hughes, the expense should be billed to the property owner by putting it on their tax roll.
"It's a doable process," said Larry Beeson, town attorney.
Eads said that it's been done only once before in the time he's been with Mentone. "It's not a common practice."
"I think it better cost," said Darrel Miller, street superintendent. He said it's a headache trying to fit in the time to mow.
Hughes said they're supposed to give a property owner 15 days to mow. After that, if it's not done, the town can mow and charge the property owner.
"So it's either mow your yard or it's going to cost you dearly," said Tim Croy, councilman.
Beeson said the town can't really keep track of the gas and oil they use, but can keep track of the town employees' time to mow the properties. He recommended charging $25 to $30 per hour.
Eads said with the notification, there's already postage, certified mail and time wrapped up in the properties that need mowed. Croy said the higher the cost, the better, especially if the town's equipment is involved.
Brian Reed, utilities superintendent, suggested charging $50 per hour.
"We're not trying to get hired out," he said. There's plenty of kids around town who will mow lawns cheaper than the town will charge.
Croy said it should be $50 per hour per piece of equipment. "Make them think about it," he said.
The town council approved the rate of $50 per hour per piece of equipment to mow a property's lawn if the lawn is not mowed 15 days after the town makes notification to the property owner of the problem.
In other business, the town council:
• Approved the software maintenance agreement with Keystone for town billing services for $3,700.
• Set a budget meeting for June 28 at 6 p.m. in the town hall. The regular meeting for July will be moved from July 4 to July 11 at 6 p.m. because of the holiday.
• Heard for the month of May, the police department gave out 30 warnings and five traffic tickets, opened 14 new cases and 24 incidents.
Mentone Town Council members are president Mark Hughes, Tim Croy and Jack Simpson.
