The Evangeline Parish Police Jury held its monthly meeting tonight in the Courthouse.  There was much discussion about Litter Abatement about issuing fines to those who litter as well as those with nuisance properties in need of being cleaned up.  The process of having Constables issue citations and Justices of the Peace enforcing citations was discussed.  Parish Attorney, Marcus Fontenot, advised that due to the State laws already on the books, the Constables and J.O.P.’s have the ability to enforce the litter laws and can do so without approval from the Police Jury.  Juror, Lamar Johnson, stated “the parish is spending approximately $40,000.00 a year to clean up trash and litter.  Something has to be done.”  He said “dumping a couch on the side of the road should call for fines and jail time.” Attorney Fontenot agreed to put tighter language together to help enforce citations and fines for nuisance properties and a public hearing will be set at next month’s meeting after that language is approved.

Public Works Director, Chester Granger, addressed the Jury and stated he needed the Jury to direct him on how to proceed.  There are three bridges in the parish that are not up to State specifications and have to be fixed.  Due to a shortage of man power, if they want him to fix the bridges, the Chip Seal project would have to be pushed back as he cannot perform both duties at once.  Juror, Kevin Veillon, said he definitely agreed with pushing the Chip Seal project back because those bridges need to be fixed.  Two of the three bridges are in his district and residents are having to drive way out of their way because they cannot pass on the bridge due to being closed.  Juror, Rocky Rider, pointed out that “If the bridge is out, you can’t go, but also should emergency services be needed in that area it would be very bad if they had to go 4 or 5 miles out of their way to reach their destination.”  The Jury voted to push back the Chip Seal and move forward with the bridge repairs.  Granger stated to Veillon that repair work on the Green Valley Bridge will begin in approximately 2 weeks.

Bidding on the Old Library building will be held on July 25^th at 2:00 p.m. at the Police Jury Office.  Secretary/Treasurer, Donald Bergeron, stated he has shown the property to four or five interested parties.

Bergeron announced that The Acadian Resource and Conservation group will hold a children’s workshop at Chicot Park in September entitled All About Squirrels.  Juror, Bryan Vidrine, currently sits on that Board.

The Sales Tax Collection for the month of May was $227,068.83.