Aldermen OK new pay scale for volunteer firefighters

Calling it a “no brainer,” Alderman Jack Burson initiated a motion passed unanimously to change the volunteer firefighter pay scale at Tuesday’s Board of Alderman meeting.
Brian Miller, interim fire chief, in a comparison of the old and proposed pay scales determined that if the new scale had been in effect from Nov. 14 to March 15 the city would have saved $9,389.
The cost under the old scale would have been $25,360 compared to $15,971 with the new pay rate.
The issue was tabled at the board’s March meeting.
The new volunteer pay is $10, medical, vehicle wrecks, non-structural, car, and grass fires.
If the call last longer than two hours, the pay increases $5 for non-firefighters and $10 for firefighters.
For structural alarms and fires, the pay is $15 for non-fighters, and $20 for firefighters.
Aldermen also set in motion an ordinance change that will require loose refuse and rubbish to placed in cans or other sealed containers.
At the board’s agenda-setting meeting April 9, Mayor Rusty Moody said some city streets are engulfed by loose leaves.
The ordinance change, which next goes to a public hearing at the May 12 board meeting, is viewed as way to help curb the loose leaf problem.
Four properties were before the board as the city moved toward condemning them.
A notice will be sent to the owners of 216 Acadia St. and 241 South Beulah St. to appear at the next council meeting to explain why their property should not be condemned.
The property at 100 East Laurel is scheduled to be razed, said Williams Thompson, city cod and safety enforcement officer. No action was taken.
Another property at 1380 Drew Ave. is the process of being sold, he said.
Vernon McManus, city attorney, said the house on the property is OK, but the yard has not been maintained. No action was taken.
Moody said an April 24-26 fast pitch softball tournament at the Eunice Recreation Complex has 50 teams and has filled hotel rooms in the city.
Jeff Willis, Louisiana State University Eunice athletic director and head baseball coach, said the Region 23 National Junior College Tournament is scheduled May 14-17.
Police Chief Randy Fontenot “warned” there are three traffic safety events approaching. They are Buckle Up In Your Truck, April 24-30; Click It Or Ticket, May 18-31; and Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, Aug. 21 to Sept. 7.