At the Mentone Town Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 2, are, from left: Town Council Member Tim Croy, Town Clerk-Treasurer Amanda Yaprak, Town Council President Jill Gross, Town Council Member Shelly Krueger and Town Attorney Andrew Grossnickle. InkFreeNews photo by Leah Sander.

By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

MENTONE — Mentone has agreed to look into putting a sidewalk from the east edge of town on SR 25 to the town’s Dollar General.

At its meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 2, the Mentone Town Council heard a request on that topic from Joel Wilson.

“To me, it just needs to get done,” he said.

Wilson referenced the safety concerns of not having it.

“I think everybody cares about the elderly and children. You can see them walking along close to the road; that’s scary,” he said.

Wilson said he already checked regarding the cost of putting a three-foot-wide sidewalk 640 feet to the business. It was estimated to cost more than $19,000, which doesn’t include all expenses.

He said he could help with the project, including getting funding for it.

The council agreed to allow Wilson to inquire with the Kosciusko County Area Planning office regarding the matter.

The county’s approval will be a large part of completing the project as the sidewalk would stretch outside the annexed part of Mentone.

In other business, the council:

• Approved a resolution governing spending the town’s American Rescue Plan Act funds. As part of it, the council will pay eligible town employees “performing essential work during the COVID-19 public health emergency … one lump sum of supplemental income not to exceed $2,000.”
• Heard from Town Council Member Tim Croy that trick-or-treating in Mentone “went well.”
• Heard from Town Clerk-Treasurer Amanda Yaprak on behalf of Town Utilities Superintendent Josh Shepherd that employees have picked up 25 loads of leaves so far.
• Heard a reminder from Croy that Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 8, with people able to vote at Mentone’s fire station from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. that day.
• Heard a reminder from Town Council President Jill Gross that Mentone Chamber of Commerce’s Christmas open house and craft show is 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, at the fire station and around town.

The council’s next meeting is 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7, at Mentone Town Hall.