Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
MENTONE - A problem with water at a residence in town was addressed by the Mentone Town Council Monday after a citizen brought it their attention.
"The water is terrible," said Robert Dickey of East Jefferson Street. "It stinks ... it's not fit to drink." Dickey's wife said that the water leaves a film in the bathtub and commodes, too.
Dickey questioned whether he is the only resident complaining or if the problem is throughout the town. A resident of Mentone for about two years, Dickey wondered if there is a real problem or if his complaint is only "because we haven't been here long enough to get used to it."
Utility superintendent Brian Reed said that the problem could be coming from the anode rod in Dickey's hot water heater and offered to help him remove it and, hopefully, eliminate the odor. However, Dickey said the smell is in the cold water as well, so Reed is unsure if the rod is the root of the problem. A sample of Dickey's water will be tested for bacteria in case an unknown source is leaching into Dickey's water supply. Another reason for the odor could be that the suspensions in the water settled while Dickey was out of town for about two weeks. Reed said the suspensions usually separate out after about seven days of nonuse.
In other matters, the council:
• Approved closing Yale Street, from Harrison Street to Jackson Street, during pick-up and drop-off times at Mentone School. The school is in the midst of a construction project and the regular bus loading location will soon be impeded by a fence which will be erected at the site. The street will be blocked off from about 8 to 8:15 a.m. and 3:15 to 3:25 p.m. each weekday until further notice.
• Signed a revised ordinance regarding water rates. Rules were suspended and the ordinance passed on the first reading.
• Agreed to provide the park board with up to $450 for scheduled improvements, including installation of a sand volleyball court, two sets of horseshoes, two chain basketball nets, 20 landscape timbers and flowers. Park board president Matt Cohagan told the council that recent donations include a load each of gravel, sand and limestone from J&M Gravel, a sandbox, lights and poles.
• Voted to hire Jack and Vivian Pugh of Macy to mow the cemetery and park this season at a cost of $5,500, using both their own and the town's equipment. Other bids were: $26,999 from C&M Lawn Care, Warsaw, using their own equipment; $14,400 from Manns Lawn Care & Landscaping, Rochester, using their own equipment; Tom Melton, Rochester, $5,500 for the cemetery only without specifying whether to use his own or town's equipment; and Care-Free Lawn & Maintenance, Rochester, $1,300 for the park only, using the town's equipment.
The next regular meeting is at 7 p.m. April 20 in the town hall.
