Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
MENTONE - Title work is done and the deed and paperwork are ready for the town to take ownership of the building housing the police department once the money changes hands.
The Mentone Town Council approved a payment of $8,000 to Don and Rosemary Laughlin, and an additional appropriation of $25,000 was made for the balance of the $33,000 cost of the building. The final payment will be made in mid-January, after the State Board of Accounts approves the additional appropriation. A hearing on the matter is set for 6 p.m. Dec. 27 in the town hall.
The council, with a 2-1 vote, approved an additional appropriation for the purchase of a police vehicle. Forrest Kantner opposed the $14,201.25 appropriation for a Dodge Durango recently purchased by the town. The town previously approved purchase of the vehicle and the additional appropriation was necessary to complete payment. Total cost of the vehicle was $29,201. Rock and Lynn Phillips were in favor of the transfer of funds. The town received $800 for the police car that was traded in on the sport-utility vehicle.
In other business, the council voted to give raises to part-time employees of up to 50 cents per hour based on the individual's performance and at the discretion of the department head.
Also, the town's deputy marshal, Jason Westafer, was removed from his 90-day probationary status and elevated to his nonprobationary salary level. Approval was given for Westafer to attend the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy if he is called; he is on second standby and, if a position in the class opens, he could be notified on short notice.
In additional matters:
• The council told Jake Murray of Housing Opportunities of Warsaw that they want to move forward on pursuing a owner-occupied rehabilitation grant to help low-income homeowners in town improve their properties. A meeting will be set after the first of the year to determine how much grant funding the town will seek. A 10 percent match is required.
• The town also will pursue a study grant for a new septage facility. That grant will fund 100 percent of the study and will help the town if it seeks future grant funding to build the facility.
• Matt Cohagen, park board president, was given permission to continue with his current projects and to close out his expenditures for the year.
• Approval was granted for the town to pay a $250 insurance deductible toward replacing of the character generator destroyed by a lightning strike. The unit is used to type in the messages displayed on the cable television public access channel.
At the 6 p.m. Dec. 27 end-of-year meeting, the two new council members, Ed Lamar and Mike Biemer, as well as clerk-treasurer Jim Tibbetts, will be sworn in. The next regular meeting - normally scheduled the first Monday of each month - is set for 7 p.m. Jan. 10 in the town hall.
