Chataignier council discusses various grants for town improvements

The Chataignier Villate Council, during its monthly meeting Monday, November 17, voted to apply for the state’s Local Government Assistance Grant (LGAP) of $25,000 by the deadline on December 19, and use the grant to pay for improvements to the town’s aging sewer lines.
During the meeting, Mayor Jackie Thomas listed the categories of projects that are permitted for a municipality to receive LGAP grants, such as roads, essential buildings, poolice and fire departments and water or sewer systems.
Council members decided that the sewer system, which is in the process of being upgraded, is in the most need of funding.
Wilbur Rozas, the town clerk, briefed the councl on progress in securing a USDA grant to defray the costs of purchasing a new police car. He said USDA guidelines require that the town sell its current police car and place $7,550 in matching funds in a separate account, to be used for the purchase of a new police car, which will cost about $30,000.
He advized the council members and Mayor Thomas to open a new account so that the town will have separate bank statements indicating the town’s funds are held in the account. “They just want to know where the money is,” he said. The council voted to open the new account.
The council discussed grants that are being used to make improvements and repairs to the community center. Each of the two grants are for $25,000.
Repairs already completed include jacking up one side of the building and repairing a cracked foundation, and repairing the center’s air conditioning. Mayor Thomas said the next projects include putting a new floor down in the center and removing tree stumps.
Rozas said the town is elegible to apply for a tourism grant of $5,000 but the council had to decide during the meeting what to use the grant for. After a brief discussion, council members voted to use the grant to purchase playground equipment.
Debra Fontenot, the town’s event coordinator, reported that she has booked two professional entertainers -- a magician and a balloon performing artist -- to appear at the Christmas celebration after the parade on Sunday, December 14.
Rozas then told her the parish tourism office had decided to grant the town $500, and handed her the check.
Robert Perron, the town’s new sewer manager, said he will take state sewer management certification near New Orleans soon. He briefed the mayor and council on improvements being made to sewer lines and at the town’s sewer plant.