Chataignier Council votes to raise sewer rates; replace existing pump

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The Chataignier Village Council Monday night voted to raise the sewer bills from $15.00 per month to $20.00.
Mayor Justin Darbonne explained the move is “to cover expenses.” He added the change would take effect on April 15.
The ordinance was first introduced at last month’s meeting. At that time, Mayor 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 than what we had.”
The additional costs associated with the new plant are also a result of the price of chlorine treatments.
Village administrator Gail McDavid previously reported in December he ordered the first refills for the new plant’s chlorine tanks. The cost for approximately 160 gallons came out to $953.00 plus other fees.
“With the heavy rains come a heavy flow of storm water into our treatment plant causing a higher usage of chlorine,” said McDavid previously. “Normally usage without the storm water is two and a half gallons a day in chlorine. At that rate, we’re going to be consuming about $500.00 a month just in chlorine alone.”
McDavid, during this month’s meeting, reported the state had finally gotten back with him regarding an emergency grant for which the village applied regarding the lift station motor pump.
“After three weeks of going back and forth,” he said, “they finally came back and said we could only get one grant a year. We already had our one. Since we don’t have any means to put out that kind of money at one time for a new one, we have to go to plan B.”
Plan B, according to McDavid, entails the village working to replace the existing pump. He reported the village reached an agreement with Thibodeaux Electric to do the work and for the work to be paid for in monthly installments.
Upon his recommendations, the council voted to authorize the repair work to be done by Thibodeaux Electric and to pay $583.33 per month for six months to cover the whole amount of $3,500.00.
In other business, the council:
•heard from candidate for Evangeline Parish Sheriff Charles Guillory and candidate for State Representative from District 38 Phil Lemoine.
•voted to adopt the language access plan for Louisiana Community Development Block Grant (LCDBG) program.