From left, are Council Member Tim Croy, Clerk-Treasurer Nicki Norris, Council President Jill Gross, Town Attorney Andrew Grossnickle, and Council Member Shelly Krueger. InkFreeNews photo by Liz Shepherd.

By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

MENTONE — The Mentone Town Council continued discussions on alleyway vacations after a second resident requested one during a meeting earlier this week.

Steve Svara, who owns the property at 305 E. Main St., said he is looking into a permit in order to add on to a shed at the residence. Svara also wants to build on a garage.

“According to our setbacks, he can’t put a garage on the side of the house because he will be approaching the alleyway,” said Council Member Tim Croy during a meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 2.

Town Attorney Andrew Grossnickle said that Svara will have to submit a petition to the town council for the vacation request. A public hearing would then need to be held and that notices will be sent out to adjoining property owners.

“If the town votes to approve the alley vacation, then an ordinance will be prepared, showing that it’s been vacated,” said Grossnickle.

During the council’s August meeting, John Martin, 102 W. Jefferson St., asked the board about vacating an alley that runs east and west by his residence. Grossnickle said he is working with Martin to ensure he is aware of submitting a petition for alley vacation. In the meeting, the council approved vacating the alley near Martin’s residence.

In other business, council also discussed a condemned house in town limits. The residence at 301 S. Oak St. was condemned by the county board of health.

“They have abandoned that property and the house needs, in my opinion, a tearing down,” said Croy. “It sounds like in the next tax sale, that’s going to be listed on there.”

According to Kosciusko County Beacon GIS, the property is owned by Jon and Robin Briggs.

Council also approved quotes presented by Utilities Superintendent Josh Shepherd for street paving. Street work would be on North Tucker Street from Jackson Street to Maple Street and from North Broadway Street from Jackson Street to Harrison Street.

Gaunt and Son Asphalt, Wabash, quoted the project at $60,225; and Phend & Brown, Milford, quoted it at $65,905. Council voted to have Gaunt and Son complete the project. However, if they cannot do it this year, Phend & Brown will do the project.

Upcoming Events In Mentone:

• The 11th annual “Rotors Over Mentone” event will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, at the Lawrence D. Bell Aircraft Museum. This year’s event will focus on Mentone’s history, with R.J. Hill as a guest speaker. Parkview Samaritan Hospital’s helicopter and other helicopters will fly in for the event. There will also be food at the event.
• From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, “Chalk the Walk” will take place in downtown Mentone. Artists can do chalk drawings anywhere on the Main Street sidewalks.
• The town council’s next meeting is at 6:15 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7.