Mamou discusses fire rating and abandoned building progress

By: MICHAEL BORDELON

News Editor

MAMOU - The Mamou Town Council, during its meeting Wednesday, August 13, received an update on the fire department and demolition of abandoned homes from District Fire Chief Garry Reed.

Reed said the fire department has been very active this year, responding to 157 calls thus far. As of that night, Reed said the department responded to a total of nine calls in August.

Reed added the department has been very successful for an all-volunteer fire department, stating in the event of an emergency they could have up to 13 trucks in Mamou. He also mentioned the town’s current fire rating of four, five in the rural areas of the district, was better than many paid fire departments. Another fire rating will be held November 5-6. Reed added all hydrants in town have been inspected and the fire fighters have completed all their 2008 training. Finally, Reed thanked the town for its support and cooperation in helping the fire department improve over the years.

On abandoned homes, Reed informed the council they have demolished 10 run-down houses in the past 12 months, and he is working on many more, with two currently awaiting demolition. Reed added people in town who have been pushing for the town to speed up the demolition process on these abandoned homes should understand it takes a long time and a lot of paperwork before the demolition process can begin.

“You can’t just tear down someone’s property,” Reed said. “There’s a process that has to be followed.”

Councilman Scotty Christ said some of the properties he hears people complain about are simply in poor aesthetic condition but are still structurally sound. Those homes cannot be demolished.

“We can’t force someone to paint their home,” Christ said.

In other business, the council:

•Learned it received $80,000 in state grants for the Plaza Des Cajuns. Senator Eric LaFleur informed the council the town was lucky the funds did not get vetoed, but it was still short of the $110,000 the town needed. He also suggested the council apply for the additional funds it needs to complete the plaza with LGAP (Louisiana Government Assistance Program). According to LaFleur, the town is eligible for up to $25,000 of funding.

•Appointed Tim Fontenot as temporary magistrate until Bruce Rozas, who has been ill, can return.

•Heard its audit report from Certified Public Accountant Burton Kolder. Kolder said the town is healthy on the financial front, but suggested it hire professionals to come in and test the town’s gas system, which is losing 15 percent of the town’s gas through leaks. Kolder said this is costing the town $50,000 to $65,000 a year.