Mamou Council adopts budgets; pledges to deal with rink noise

During the regular December meeting Wednesday, the Mamou Town Council adopted budget resolutions, made several personnel moves in the police department, and promised to try to curb noise pollution from the skating rink.
With the end of the year approaching, the Council closed out its 2015 budget process, adopting an “Amended to 12/31/15 Projected Actual Result at Year End” budget. The numbers show that the town will end the year with a 1.89 per cent increase in the General Fund balance, with $352,198 remaining at year’s end.
The Council also adopted a 2016 budget of anticipated revenues and expenditures. It projects that the General Fund balance will decline to $93,098, a decrease of more than $259,000 in the fund balance.
In other news, the Council approved several personnel recommendations of interim Police Chief Allen Noel. It terminated Cpt. Lucas Lavergne for job abandonment. Lavergne stopped reporting to work on Oct. 8. He had not contacted the department to officially resign. He also has not yet returned all of his department-issued equipment.
The Council hired three new patrolmen, and made internal promotions. Brandon Stagg was hired as a full-time patrolman; and both Nicholas Richardson and Christopher Dagan Soileau were hired as part-time patrolmen. All of them are post-certified. Vanessa Deshotel was promoted to full-time Records Clerk. Brea Richard was hired as a part-time dispatcher.
Richard Deshotel addressed the Council, making a complaint about loud noise from the skating rink and Celestine Center, where dances are sometimes held.
“I live four blocks away,” Deshotel said, noting that the noise vibrates his house. He cited city ordinance 9.36.17, which prohibits sound or noise from exceeding 85 decibels at a 25’ distance.
Alderman Charles Reed also said that he can hear the noise at his house.
“I’ve called the police department several times,” Deshotel said, “but they said they can’t do anything about it.”
Deshotel said that once when he call to complain, he was told by the police that Mayor Ricky Fontenot was in charge of the party.
Fontenot disputed that, saying that he had nothing to do with the party.
The mayor did tell Noel to bring the situation under control.
“We’re asking, Chief, that people tone the music down,” Fontenot said, “and get a citation if necessary.”
Fontenot assured Deshotel that something would be done.
“It can be toned down,” he said, “but there will be functions there. We just need to figure out how to make it so that it doesn’t disturb the neighbors.”
The Council reappointed Randy Young to the Mamou Fire Protection District No. 1 Board of Commissioners. It also received suggested revisions to the Bylaws of the Savoy Medical Management Group, which it will consider approving at the next meeting.
Finally, the Council gave the mayor approval to change its application for grant funding through the State Office of Community Development Local Government Assistance Program.
Originally, Fontenot said, the town wanted to use the LGAP grant to improve the ball park. However, “the State is short on money, so now recreation projects are out,” he said. Instead, he wants to use the money to repave and resurface city streets.