Oberlin’s Mayor Larry Alexander gave an overview of the construction projects during the town council meeting, held Monday, August 12.
The mayor stated, “We have a ton of contractors in town, and we have a lot of stuff getting torn up. We are constantly chasing after all that right now and keeping it in working order. Progress is messy. We want Internet, good sewers, streets, and sidewalks, and all those things. But, that process, sometimes, is messy.”
The mayor estimated the boring projects for the fiber Internet will be completed within the next three weeks to a month. He said the sidewalk project is about 60% completed and the smoke testing of the sewer lines should be complete this month.
Mayor Alexander went on to say there are three grant opportunities that are available for the town. Two of the grants would be for road projects and recreational funds. However, the three grants require matching funds. One option, according to the mayor, is to seek a loan from the United States Department of Agriculture to secure the matching funds.
The grants total about $1.5 million, and the town would need about $250,000 in matching funds.
Councilman Ryan Rozas remarked, “I would hate to lose a million and a half dollars because we couldn’t come up with $250,000.”
After further discussion, Councilman Christopher Davis said, “I would say we need to pursue it.”
As a result, the mayor will further explore the option to borrow the matching funds and will present his findings to the council at next month’s meeting.
Later in the meeting, Mayor Alexander stated the fiber optic company that is running lines in the parish has requested to use a 20×20 piece of property behind the town hall in Oberlin for a hub where all the network can come together. A monthly fee of $150 would be paid for 20 years to use the piece of property.
Councilman Abraham McCleon, who made the motion to approve the proposal for the mayor to sign the lease with Swyft, said, “We need quick Internet, and it will bring in businesses.”
In other business, the council:
•Approved to abandon Seventh Street from the drainage canal to the dead end next to Veterans Park.
•Approved an amended ordinance for traffic detail.
•Approved a resolution to declare surplus police units.
•Approved the mayor to plan the second annual tree lighting event and the inaugural Mardi Gras on Main.