Baldwin continues to address infrastructure

Baldwin received word at their town meeting Thursday that their water treatment and sewage woes of late, are being addressed, with progress in sight.
Martha Cazaubon from the South Central Planning Development Commission provided an update on Baldwin’s pending $236,000 Delta Regional Authority award to be employed in the betterment of the water plant, and two state community water enrichment fund grants of $30,000 each, both of which will be used for improvements to the water plant.
Cazaubon discussed a USDA grant application, with the assistance of SCP, for preliminary engineering work on the sewerage system. The request for funding to the USDA is $30,000.
A resolution was passed to authorize Mayor Donna Lanceslin to submit the request for the grant of the $30,000 available to defray the cost necessary to assess and improve the town’s beleaguered sewerage system.
Cazaubon closed by elaborating on the status of a pending amendment to an older Louisiana Government Assistance Program grant for $20,000 which will also be used for repair to the sewerage system.
State Representative Sam Jones addressed the board to report the availability of $300,000 of grant funds required to repair and maintain the town’s water treatment system.
“Baton Rouge can sometimes be a crazy place,” said Jones, “and if there is 10 cents hanging somewhere that somebody sees is not being used, it could end up in Shreveport, or whoever knows where.
“I’ve always believed, even when I was a mayor, that when you get a grant, you lock that thing in as fast as you can.”
Jones recommended to the board swift management of their grants received. This, he said could be achieved by assigning the grant funds to contracts.
“Tying the money down makes it almost impossible to have the money taken away later,” said Jones.
The board authorized the town to enter into a contract with Miller Engineers and Associates, in connection with improvements to the Baldwin water system.
Reid Miller, Miller Engineers & Associates was on hand to explain what that contract entailed.
“We’ll come into the plant, do an overall system analysis, find out what the issues are, and we’ll work within the budget that you have to get your plant back in operation,” Miller said. “We’ll put together plans and specifications to address any other problems you may have there, and we’ll put that project out for bid. We’ll go through and meet with the mayor and (board) as needed, and we’ll make recommendations on which contractors to use. From there, they’ll go to work and take care of you.”
Miller Engineers is also working on a levee at Bayou Choupique, complete with thru roads and routes around the levee.
Lastly, a resolution of respect was passed for Reverend Robert “Brother Bobby” Hodnett, who passed away on Oct. 16, and was the first guest chaplin of the Baldwin Board of Aldermen.

ST. MARY NOW

Franklin Banner-Tribune
P.O. Box 566, Franklin, LA 70538
Phone: 337-828-3706
Fax: 337-828-2874

Morgan City Review
1014 Front Street, Morgan City, LA 70380
Phone: 985-384-8370
Fax: 985-384-4255