Pictured from left are Mentone Town Councilman Tim Croy, Clerk-Treasurer Amanda Yaprak and Councilwomen Jill Gross and Shelly Krueger. Photo by Jackie Gorski, Times-Union.

By Jackie Gorski
Times-Union

MENTONE — Trash rates will go up for residents as Mentone Town Council approved raising rates Wednesday, Nov. 6, effective Jan. 1. The trash rates per household for 2025 and 2026 will be $15 and $16 for 2027. The current rate is $13.

In August, Councilman Tim Croy said he met with a representative from Apex since their contract expires Dec. 30. Croy said Apex wanted to renew their contract with the town for another three years with a price increase each year.

During the public hearing Wednesday held before the council approved the rate increase, there were no public comments. Later in the meeting, Clerk-Treasurer Amanda Yaprak said a steering committee will need to be created to move forward with the town’s downtown master plan. The steering committee will help make decisions on plans for the downtown.

There needs to be an estimated 12 to 15 people on the committee, and Yaprak thought the committee needed to meet about three to five times every six months. Once it is figured out who wants to be on the committee, Yaprak suggested possibly having focus groups and possibly getting community input.

If anyone is interested in being on the committee, they can contact Yaprak at the clerk’s office.

In other business, the council:

• Heard the lead service inventory is complete.

Utilities Superintendent Josh Shepherd said about a dozen letters were sent out to people whose lines couldn’t be 100% identified as lead or not. Yaprak said the letters stated there were some possible safety concerns due to the fact the lines weren’t 100% identified.

Shepherd said a representative from Commonwealth Engineers may come to the council’s December meeting to discuss the results of the lead service inventory.

• Town Marshal Keaton Schopf introduced Ryan Piper to the council. Piper is one of the top four people who applied for the deputy town marshal position.

Piper said he has law enforcement experience. He is also a firearms instructor.

He is married with four children. He grew up in Kosciusko County and has a sister in Mentone.

• Moved its January meeting from Jan. 1 to Jan. 8.