Chataignier council discusses trash cans for public areas

The Chataignier Village Council voted to use a tourism grant to purchase two trash cans that each cost $800 for public areas of the village.
Mayor Jackie Thomas asked the public in the audience if any of them wanted to comment on the proposal. Two village residents objected. One said “That’s a substantial amount,” for trash cans, and another said people will still throw trash on the ground in public areas of the village.
Councilman Gail McDavid said the trash cans are expensive because they’re made to be permanently anchored so that winds or people can’t remove them. “I think we should try them out to see how they work,” he said.
Wilbur Rozas, the village clerk, said the neighboring town of Mamou had ordered three of the cans and they worked out well enough for the town to order three more.
McDavid, who had been talking to state DOTD officials about the need for a four-way stop at First and Vine streets, which is part of LA 29, reported the four stop signs had been installed. However, he said he will contact those officials again to request that signs be added to each stop sign indicating the intersection is a four-way stop.
The council and residents attending council meetings have discussed the dangers of motorists being unsure who has the right of way at that intersection.
Mayor Thomas said the village has a new “welcome” sign and some street sights, and said she is arranging for someone to have them installed.
The council also announced the public auction of the vacant Gula Miller apartments at the parish courthouse in Ville Platte on Monday, June 30, at 6 p.m. People interested in the sale can qualify to bid or find information on the HUD web site.
The council approved of the mayor’s request to hire a part-time employee to clean the post office. “I was pretty embarrassed” when she saw the condition of the post office recently.
The council approved the purchase of two submersible pumps for the village’s sewer system and for boring the sewer line at Rozas Road, using $8,000 in existing grant money so that grant can be closed, qualifying the village to apply for a new grant.
Hurley Mose, sewer system manager for the village, told the council he plans to step down soon. The village has advertised for a replacement manager, with the application deadline set for July 1.
Rozas, the village clerk, said he had flyers available at the meeting with information about the opening of the Gobble Gully Paint Ball in Turkey Creek May 31, because “the small communities need to help each other.”