The Village of Chataignier is set to raise its sewer rates starting March 1, 2019 following a discussion about the council had during its meeting last Tuesday.
Mayor Justin Darbonne explained, “We will have to raise our sewer bills unfortunately because of this new plant we have. The chemical cost of running this new system now where the chemicals are all injected is going to cost us a whole lot more than what the old system was running.”
Darbonne continued, “It is costing us more on electricity because of the new pumps. It is a whole lot bigger of a system then what we had.”
Residents’ sewer bill will increase a total of five dollars from $15 to $20. However, Darbonne stressed the village would “be doing everything we can to keep our cost down.”
A public hearing on this matter has been set for February 18 at 6:20 p.m. before the council’s regular meeting begins.
The council also discussed the naming of the old library, which will be used as an events center. The council agreed upon naming the building Chataignier Events Center.
They also set the rental fee for the facility at $100 with a $50 deposit that will be returned to the renter if the building is left clean and without any damage.
During the meeting, the council also approved moving $23,569.49 from the village’s savings account to the general fund. According to the mayor, the purpose of moving this money is to catch up on unpaid bills.
Before closing out the meeting, Darbonne thanked Evangeline Parish Police Juror Rocky Rider for assisting the village in repairing holes in several of the village’s roads.
Other items approved:
•Appointment of Council Member JB Brasseaux as Mayor Pro Temp and as overseer of Sewage.
•Appointment of Debra Fontenot to oversee Street and Drainage.
•Appointment of Carilyn “Tu” Arvie to oversee Parks and Recreation.
•Appointment of Stephanie Smith as Village Clerk.
•Appointment of Greg Vidrine as Village Attorney.
•Appointment of Gale McDavid as Village Administrator.
•Appointment of Debra Fontenot as President of the Board of Chataignier Community Care.
•Naming of the recreational park as the Village of Chataignier Recreational Park.
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ELIZABETH WEST Managing Editor