Regular Monthly Meeting, Wednesday, January 5, 1983 at 7:00 P.M
The regular meeting of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen for the Town of Addis was held on Wednesday, January 5, 1983 at 7:00 P.M. at the Town Hall.
Present: Mayor Bourgeois: Aldermen Carroll; DeBlanc; Fitzgerald; Guidry; LeBlanc. Absent: None
The minutes of the regular meeting of December 1, 1982 were approved, as mailed, on a motion by Alderman Carroll, seconded by Alderman LeBlanc.
The minutes of the special meeting of December 15, 1982 were approved, as corrected, on a motion by Alderman Carroll, seconded by Alderman Fitzgerald.
Fire Chief Strauss gave his report for the month which included 2 house fires; one trash‑grass fire; 6 rescue‑first aid calls; one railroad derailment and 4 public assistance calls for a total of 14 calls for December. The total calls answered by the Fire Department for 1982 was 127. Chief Strauss advised that 16 training sessions were available in 1982 which were attended by a number of the Addis firemen. Alderman Carroll commended the Fire Department through Chief Strauss for a job well done during 1982 and other years. Chief Strauss thanked the Mayor and Council for their help during the year and assured everyone that he, as Chief, and the entire fire department would continue to strive for a better department to aid the people in their territory.
The proposed Federal Revenue Sharing Budget which was presented at the public hearing held prior to this meeting was reviewed by the Board. It was adopted, as presented, on a motion by Alderman Carroll, seconded by Alderman Fitzgerald. The motion was approved unanimously. The Federal Revenue budget for 1983 is as follows:
Balance from 13th Entitlement Period $2004.86
Expected Revenue‑14th Entitlement Period 10976.00
Total to be budgeted $12,980.86
Proposed Expenditures
Capital Current
Public Transportation $7,00.00
Public Safety 1,200.00 $780.86
Multi‑Government 1,000.00 3,000.00
Totals $9,200.00 $3,780.86
Mr. Richard Dugas of the Drug Abuse group "SHARE" was introduced. Mr. Dugas gave a brief outline of the group's hopes and plans and invited everyone to attend a SHARE sponsored Drug Seminar at Brusly High School Gymnasium on Wednesday, Jan. 12.
Mayor Bourgeois asked Mr. Mouch of the Police Jury to have the streets of Addis checked for potholes and other damages which the police jury would be able to take care of. Mrs. Alexander of the Police Jury sent her regrets at not being able to attend the meeting.
The 1982 audit engagement letter from Bernard, Robbins and Cavanaugh, CPA, was presented. Mayor Bourgeois was given the authority to sign the letter and enter the contract with Bernard, Robbins & Cavanaugh, CPA, on a motion by Alderman Fitzgerald, seconded by Alderman LeBlanc. The motion was approved unanimously.
A discussion was held on raises in salaries. Town Attorney Larpenteur advised that an ordinance was necessary when the Mayor and/or Aldermen received an increase in their salaries. Alderman DeBlanc objected to the percentages of the raises proposed. After a lengthy discussion, a motion was made by Alderman Guidry, seconded by Alderman LeBlanc to grant raises in salaries as follows: Police Chief Ted Berthelot $25.00 per month; Assistant Police Chief Harold Berthelot $75.00 per month; Auxiliary Policeman Michael Berthelot $15.00 per month; Auxiliary Policemen Paul Ramagos and
Sidney Vaughn $10.00 per month each; Clerks Lois Rivet and Vera Lucas $50.00 per month each; town maintenance workers, an increase of $ .25 per hour; Janitress Thelma Deville $10.00 per month.
The motion carried on the following roll call vote: Yeas: LeBlanc; Guidry; Fitzgerald; Carroll. Nays: DeBlanc.
Further discussion was held on a raise for the Mayor and Aldermen. Alderman DeBlanc again expressed his objection to raising these salaries. He advised that he does not feel that the economy is stable to handle salary increases at this time.
Alderman Fitzgerald advised that he feels that the Aldermen spend a lot of time and effort in their duties and that an increase at this time is justified. Mayor Bourgeois advised that he feels the present Aldermen should propose a raise and not leave this question to a new board. He further advised that he is not planning to propose raises
in next year's budget.
A motion was made by Alderman Carroll, seconded by Alderman Fitzgerald to raise the Mayor's salary by $25.00 per month; and the Aldermen by $15.00 per month.
The motion carried on the following roll call vote: Yeas: LeBlanc; Guidry; Fitzgerald; Carroll. Nays: DeBlanc.
An ordinance will be drawn up to this effect.
Mayor Bourgeois advised that qualifying dates for the special election to be held in March are January 24 through January 28th. This election is to fill the vacancy on the Board of Aldermen caused by the untimely death of Warren E. Fitzgerald. The seat is presently held by Norwood Fitzgerald who was appointed to fill the vacancy until the election
Police Chief Ted Berthelot gave the following monthly activity report. Two felony arrests; nine misdemeanor arrests; two juvenile arrests; five traffic arrests; four traffic accidents; one fire department assist; and 29 traffic citations issued. Total complaints answered during the month was 55. Chief advised that he would like to make a display case for his drug abuse program. He further advised that Auxiliary policeman Sidney Vaughn has been enrolled in LSU in the police training course. He asked that this officer be furnished a unit for transportation to and from school and be reimbursed for one meal a day while attending the course. Auxiliary policeman Michael Waldrop graduated from a 15 weeks law officers training course recently. Chief Berthelot would like to send 2 men to a 2 day street survival seminar in February.
A motion was made by Alderman DeBlanc, seconded by Alderman Guidry to approve the police unit for transportation to and from school and one meal a day allowance for Officer Sidney Vaughn to attend the 6‑weeks police training school. The motion was adopted unanimously.
Chief Berthelot then announced his intention to run for Sheriff of West Baton Rouge Parish in the October 2 election. He and Mr. Larpenteur advised that the Police Chief does not have to resign his position to run for Sheriff.
Mayor Bourgeois reported that the finance committee had met to discuss the budget for Federal Revenue Sharing money.
Under the Sewer Committee, Mayor Bourgeois advised that there was no word from Kay Thomas of Barnard & Thomas, Engineers. Mayor Bourgeois wrote a letter to Farmers Home deobligating grant funds on the sewer project.
There was no police committee report.
Under the Fire Committee report Chief Strauss advised that it was time to order stickers for emergency numbers. He also requested permission to purchase an adult and child Ambu "Boo" bags $$97.90 each; and pocket size face masks for the rescue squad at $36.50 for 10.
A motion was made by Alderman Carroll, seconded by Alderman DeBlanc to allow Chief Strauss to purchase the items requested. The motion was approved unanimously.
Streets, Roads, etc. Committee: The police jury will come and fix the potholes in their streets in town. The Mayor advised that the Police Jury receives $10.25 per capita for road repairs and he feels that the streets should be kept up by them whenever possible.
Interviews for town maintenance supervisor were rescheduled for the 11th.
It was brought up that the curve sign on the south end of First Street is down and needs to be replaced. irJ
Sanitation and Trash‑Pickup: A trash pickup was scheduled for January 29th. It will begin on the 29th west of the railroad tracks and continue until all trash is picked up. High school workers will be hired to work this trash pick‑up.
Mr. Riley J. "Peewee" Berthelot, Jr. was recognized. Peewee thanked the Board for accepting his bid for the garbage contract. He advised that they were ready to start building the road into the new subdivision of RJR, Inc. He was advised that the town would have an inspector to inspect the road as it progresses.
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 8:20 P.M. on a motion by Alderman Carroll, seconded by Alderman Fitzgerald.
CARROLL P. BOURGEOIS, MAYOR
Vera T. Lucus, Clerk