From left are Tim Croy, Barb Ross, Jill Gross and Shelly Krueger.

MENTONE — The Mentone Town Board is encouraging its residents to be diligent in securing their trash prior to weekly pickup — particularly as it relates to securing lids on trash cans.

Board member Tim Croy publicly lauded Valley Sanitation, the company responsible for trash pickup in the town. He said that recently, the company went above and beyond its normal responsibilities to help a resident dispose of a large amount of trash. “It was much appreciated,” he said.

Following Croy’s statements, Clerk-Treasurer Barb Ross, told the board that the company was having issues with the way some residents dispose of their garbage.

“In regards to Valley, (Owner) Bob (Rudd) called in and wanted to know if there was something we could do to get the people to secure their trash can lids,” Ross said. “During the rainy season, they fill up with water and if it snows, they freeze and they’re extra heavy.”

Croy said that after the trash pickup day, he makes rounds around town to check on town residences to ensure there is no trash lying about. He said another problem the company faces is from residents placing trash to the curb in cardboard boxes. He said when the boxes get wet, they give way when trash collectors pick them up, “and the residents expect them (Valley Sanitation) to clean that trash up.”

The board urged residents to take the extra time to properly place trash in plastic garbage bags and to secure trash in containers that have proper lids. Properly-secured garbage also helps to discourage foraging animals, such as racoons, cats or dogs.

In other business, the board learned from the Indiana State Board of Accounts that it would need to trim $20,381 from the General Fund. The board agreed to decrease the storm sewer budget by $10,000 and the new equipment fund by $10,381.