Chataignier Council approves keeping patrolman

Newly elected Chataignier Police Chief Clint Brasseaux caught many by surprise when he informed the village’s board of voting on a resolution to “eliminate the patrol officer’s position to help save the town some money.”
During the May 16 meeting for the village, Brasseaux was giving his report when he brought up eliminating the position that Arthur Phillips has held since the death of longtime chief Paul Allen Jr. last August. Brasseaux became chief in March after defeating McDaniel Wilson in the election.
Mayor Jackie Thomas, village council members Debra Fontenot, J.B. Brasseaux, Chief Brasseaux and Phillips all went into a private executive session to discuss the issue. After roughly 20 minutes, the council came out and a motion was made by Councilman Brasseux to eliminate the position. Debra abstained from voting and since there wasn’t a second the motion failed, meaning that Phillips will stay on as a patrolman for the village.
Earlier in his report, Brasseaux informed the board that the new radios needed for the village’s new agreement with the Evangeline Parish 9-1-1 should be delivered by May 25 or May 26th. Brasseaux and Phillips both reported that 19 tickets and 37 violations had been issued for this month, including dealing with a pair of sickly horses left behind on property on the outskirts of town.
Brasseaux said he had “bought some feed out of his own pocket” to feed the horses. No one on the board knew exactly who owned the property with the horses, but it was believed that it was someone who has relocated to Houston in the past few months. The board discussed looking into what local or state agency needed to be called to help provide the horses with proper care or a new home.
Earlier in the meeting, Mayor Thomas had informed the board about a resolution to apply for a Water Enrichment Grant through the Louisiana Office of Community Development. Thomas stated that the village currently doesn’t have the funds to cover the $25,000 proposed cost of the improvements that the village needs to its water system.
Water Works Director Gale McDavid stated that “the funds from the grant would be used to replace aging fire hydrants, 30-40 individual sewer lines and flush valves. The council approved the resolution of applying for the grant.
Other items from Monday’s meeting:
— The date of June 13, 2016 selected as the date for the village’s budget meeting.
— The village’s library has received two new windows.