The Oberlin Council added two items to its agenda on Tuesday, October 15, including hiring a part-time police officer.
Mayor Joseph “Moochie” Manuel reported Police Chief Grady Haynes was at a seminar, but he asked the council to consider hiring Anthony Pinnatore as a part-time officer. He said by hiring part-time officers, it reduced overtime for the two full-time officers. Councilman Bobby Thomas said Pinnatore lived in Dry Creek but he went to school in Oberlin. The council agreed to add the item to the agenda and to hire Pinnatore.
The second item added to the agenda was a JSA (joint service agreement) between Oberlin and Allen Parish Police Jury to do some repairs to Storage Road.
The council approved trailers being moved into the community for Jimmy Strother and Belinda Courville, Both residents had met the requirements of the town’s ordinance to move a trailer into the town, according to Charlotte Artis, town clerk.
The mayor reported Brenda Byrd had requested using the Farmer’s Market area for a craft event. There would be a charge. It was agreed to table the item until the town’s attorney, Luke Abrusely, could study the proposal and how it affects the town’s ordinaces. Byrd did announce she was stepping down from her duties of overseeing the Farmer’s Market.
“I hate that, because she’s done a great job,” the mayor said. When asked if she had made a recommendation for her replacement, the mayor said no.
Anissa Courville, who is returning to Oberlin, said she would love to take the job on as a volunteer when she returned to Oberlin. The mayor asked her to visit him as soon as she was settle in her new place.
Russell Turner of Turnage Environmental Services LLC discussed a proposal to oversee the town’s sewage system. He gave a background on his knowledge of systems, discussed costs and how they would be applied and how his services were made available to the town. The company also works with other systems like Kinder, etc., in the area. The council agreed to use these services.
Repairing culverts and ditches and a JSA with the police jury was discussed. It was agreed the mayor would attend the next jury meeting to ask for assistance.
The council:
•Welcomed Dewith Carrier to the council meeting. The mayor believed he was the first state representative elected from Oberlin. He promised to put Oberlin on his list and to assist when possible. He said he looked forward to representing the district.
•Tabled the matter of fixing Lamont Road, which was damaged by recent rains. The council is waiting for FEMA funding to see if it will assist in the repairs on this road.
•Learned deadline to submit application for capital outlay was November 1. The town will have to match 25 percent of the grant monies. They agreed to re-submit the application for the sewer system that they could not match last capital outlay session.
•Set Halloween in Oberlin from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, October 31.
•Heard from the mayor about an update on city hall where renovations are being completed on bathroom facilities and entrances to make it handicap accessible. He said it could be done in a few weeks.
