Baldwin mayor and aldermen hear from local residents

Baldwin’s mayor and aldermen Thursday heard from local visitors at the regular monthly meeting.
The first visitor to address the council was Jennifer Lanceslin, with the St. Mary Parish Red Ribbon Committee, asking the board to proclaim Oct. 20-29 St. Mary Parish Red Ribbon Drug Free Week to “Lead the way to a Drug Free USA”, in the words of Abby Dugas, author of the Red Ribbon 2017-2018 campaign slogan.
“I ask that we all try to participate in some of the events,” Lanceslin said.
Also, Director of Outreach Ministries at UMCOR Sager Brown Benny Druilhet reminded the council that Sager Brown will be celebrating its 150th year of operation Oct. 21 at the Sager Brown campus in Baldwin, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Also Thursday, Tony Gibson appeared before the council to air grievances concerning the age and upkeep of the town’s water meters.
According to Gibson, the water bills generated from the readings on the meters are questionable, based on the age and condition of the meters.
The council heard his grievances and made it clear that the veracity of the meters could be looked into.
In other business, it was announced that Franklin will hold its annual Harvest Moon Festival Oct. 28, in downtown Franklin.
St. Mary Parish Special Olympics Champions’ Bowling Tournament will take place Oct. 27 at Charlie’s Lanes, Morgan City, with opening ceremonies beginning at 10 a.m.
The Baldwin Neighborhood Service Center will host a senior seminar Oct. 19. Franklin Foundation Hospital representatives will be on hand to speak about breast cancer awareness.
Several resolutions were brought before the council, for vote.
The first was a capital outlay resolution for the 2017-2018 application for $683,680 from the state, to be used for waste water treatment repairs and upkeep of the waste water system of Baldwin, including the erosion of the levees surrounding the waste water treatment pond.
A resolution was amended for a $20,000 grant from the state for funds to repair the town’s fire substation. The funds were requested to be rerouted from its original intended purpose, and to be made available to the betterment of the town’s water treatment and sewage plant, instead. The 2014-2015 CWEF grant from the state was resolved to change in accordance with the movement of the $20,000, leaving $9,012 to be allocated for the like purpose of repairing the town’s water system.
A $30,000 search grant application was voted in resolution to survey and conduct a study of the engineering particulars necessary to repairing Baldwin’s water system.
Baldwin’s Volunteer Fire Department rendered a town fire hydrant refurbishment packet, to propose that monies from the LGAP grant be apportioned for the purpose.
A FEMA grant and a Safer grant were proposed to be utilized for the recruitment and retention of volunteer fire department personnel. The BVFD also reminded the council of the availability to the citizenry, of free smoke alarms. The phone number for inquiries is 337-923- 6093.
It was announced, after acceptance of the resolution, that Baldwin’s Beautification Club will hold their annual Bucket Drive on Nov. 18.
It was also announced prior to acceptance, that the town’s Halloween trick or treat hours will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., on Oct. 31.
The meeting closed on the business of the police department resolution of a cooperative endeavor agreement with Patterson, for the loaning of cruiser units. The resolution was accepted.