By Wesley Harris
The Dubach Board of Aldermen reviewed water system improvements, the status of several state-maintained roads, and concerns about a deteriorating downtown building during its Monday evening meeting.
Aldermen Angela Dunn, Kyle Hennigan, Evelyn Graham, and Monique Roberts and Mayor Mona Wilson were present. Mayor Pro Tem Mary Billberry was absent.
Water operator Keith Pepper said the town’s chlorine levels and recent samples had improved, although results remained below desired levels. High temperatures have affected chlorine, and the town continues to flush lines along Fuller Road and Simpson Road to address bacteria and total trihalomethanes, or TTHMs.
The water tank closest to Dubach School has been cleaned and inspected. The inspection found lower bacterial levels than anticipated but identified rust, pitting, and coating deterioration. The report recommends recoating the tank inside and out. The town will wait until the Simpson Road tank is cleaned and inspected for a cost estimate.
The Simpson Road tank is scheduled to be taken offline Sept. 1 for cleaning and inspection. Draining the 150,000-gallon tank is expected to take about four hours. Residents along Drake Road, Simpson Road, and portions of Henry Road are considered most likely to lose water or experience low pressure.
The town plans to conduct a one-hour test shutdown Aug. 20 to determine which customers will be affected. Notices will be hand-delivered before the Sept. 1 work, and a boil advisory will be issued for customers who lose water or whose pressure falls below 15 pounds.
The council also discussed questions surrounding the recent overlay of Main Street. Wilson read correspondence from the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development indicating Main Street, Wynn Street, and Hico Street are state-maintained, non-federal-aid routes.
A proposed state project to overlay the roads and make sidewalk improvements has remained on the books since 2017, but it is unfunded and is not expected to be funded in the foreseeable future. According to the correspondence, DOTD has no immediate plans to overlay the downtown routes but will continue routine work, including filling potholes and maintaining stop signs.
The town had moved forward with its overlay after previously being advised the road was the municipality’s responsibility. DOTD normally requires permits, engineering plans, approved materials, and inspections for work within a state right of way. However, Wilson said state officials had indicated the town was not facing any action over the work.
During public comments, Main Street resident Corey Beckham, also a mayoral candidate, asked the council to address damage to his building. Beckham said a partially collapsed roof on the property at 178 Main St. has directed rainwater onto his building, damaging its brick and mortar and threatening the shared wall.
Beckham said reports concerning the property were submitted to the town in February 2023 and March 2024. He asked the council to begin the municipality’s procedure for addressing a dilapidated structure.
The council unanimously approved a motion to have 178 Main St. inspected. Town officials said an inspection is required before the council can formally declare the building dilapidated and in violation of town ordinances and take further action.
Dubach does not employ a building inspector and will have to contract with a private inspector to perform the work. Officials also discussed seeking direction from legal counsel to ensure the town follows the proper legal process.
In other business, the council considered the pay rate for the town clerk position. New town clerk Tatjana Marsh had asked the board to consider a rate of $20-$22 an hour, considering she will have to provide her own insurance. When Monique Roberts recommended the $20 rate, alderman Kyle Hennigan suggested the board revisit the issue after 90 days to consider raising it. Roberts said her motion was for $20 an hour with no conditions. The motion passed.
The board also adopted a resolution updating the town’s bank signature card by removing the former town clerk’s name and adding Marsh’s. The current mayor pro tem will remain on the account until the council selects a replacement after the fall election.
Police Chief Don Dufour was not present to give a report but Wilson said no citations were issued during the month of July, primarily due to Dufour’s being on leave for a time. She said Dufour is working on finding an additional officer and will make a recommendation to the board when he does.
Wilson reported a grocery business had expressed interest in the vacant Family Dollar building. However, Family Dollar reportedly holds an additional five-year lease and has declined to buy out its remaining lease term, preventing the property owner from selling the building to another business.
A proposed truck stop remains in the preliminary stage, Wilson said. The developer has a contract to purchase property and is completing surveys, with a closing deadline scheduled for October.
The town also expects KJ’s Kitchen, a food truck planned for property near Hamilton Cemetery, to begin operating by the end of September. If the food truck is successful, the owner plans to develop a sit-down restaurant at the site. Another restaurant is expected next to the Gem Theater.
The council was reminded that at least one member must attend a water management class Sept. 22 in Ruston. Attendance will add five points to the town’s water system grade.
Board member Evelyn Graham discussed the value of attending training sponsored by the Louisiana Municipal Association and the related assistance the organization can provide to Dubach.
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