Mowing regulations, new officer top items at Chataigner meeting

By: ELIZABETH WEST
Staff Reporter

Monday’s town meeting focused much of its attention on two major changes set to take place in the village of Chataigner.
These changes dealt with the process of mowing village property, and the hiring of a new police officer in town that will help create a safer environment for citizens.
New mowing regulations could make the process a much more tedious task. Street and drainage is requiring that before grass is mowed that all trash must be picked up.
Chataigner City Clerk Wilbur J. Rozas informed officials during Monday’s meeting of the process that must be taken before mowing can begin.
“We have to put the trash picked up in black garbage bags evidently, and they (Street and Drainage) would like to know how many garbage bags we picked up at that time,” said Rozas.
This will allow Street and Drainage to see just how much trash is on the roads. Also, a log must be kept of the days and times that mowing takes place in the village.
Rozas says following these guidelines are important because, “If you want to collect your DOTD every six months, which is $1400, you are going to have to follow this.”
The task is not a difficult one but finding the people to pick up the trash is what will be hard. If the forms are not filled out properly the village could be denied the $1400.
Chataigner has now gained assistance in its attempt to better patrol the village.
Arthur Phillips, employee of the Ville Platte City Marshall’s office, will now take on the task of assisting the village in an effort to maintain a peaceful and safe community.
“I do not want this place to become a speed trap,” said Phillips.
Phillips is more concerned with helping provide a safe environment for the citizens of Chataigner.
“My number one priority is to keep the citizens safe,” continued Phillips.
Mayor Jackie Thomas expressed her gratitude to Phillips for his willingness to help provide any service he is capable of, to the village.
“Thank you for your time and everything that you are doing for the village, we appreciate it,” said Thomas.
The village also spent time discussing the 2014 audit approval that must be done before the end of the month. The audit will be reviewed on June 22 and then a meeting will be held on June 29 for the final budget approval.