Pine Prairie Council adopts groundwater plan

Submitted by Raymond Partsch on Fri, 07/17/2015 - 23:38

By: HEATHER BOGARD
Lifestyles Editor

PINE PRAIRIE - During the July 16, meeting of the Pine Prairie Village Council, council members adopted a groundwater protection ordinance, which was introduced at the previous month’s meeting. Under this ordinance, a critical area surrounding each well is established in order to help maintain the quality of water and protecting village water from contamination.
Police Chief L.C. Deshotel recommended to the council that Officer James Chuncey Fontenot be removed from his current position as investigator with the Pine Prairie Police Department. Fontenot will remain with the department as a part-time patrolman as needed by Deshotel. This is being done, Deshotel explained, because Officer Joshua Estes is a full-time employee with the department and will handle all investigations moving forward. Council members unanimously approved the chief’s recommendations.
During reports from the council members, Quint West discussed the issue of residents placing their trash cans to the road two or more days prior to pick up day. As a result, animals can dig through the trash and cause a mess. West asked if there was an ordinance in place or if the village could adopt an ordinance to help with this issue. Mayor Terry Savant and Attorney Greg Vidrine stated warnings could be given to the residents. Vidrine also said he would research to find out if other local municipalities have such an ordinance on the books.
Council member Tammy Hammond addressed the issue of the girls’ t-ball field, noting the backfield is very close to the road and the girls end up running onto the road to catch a ball. She asked if they was a way to put up a fence or some other kind of blockade around the area to protect the children when playing ball there and prevent them from running onto the road. Savant and the council members agreed to research options to resolve this issue.
In other business, the council:
•Approved the minutes of the June 11, regular meeting.
•Approved the payment of monthly expenditures.

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