LEONARD GRAY / L’Observateur / October 27, 1999

HAHNVILLE – With a flurry of phone calls to round up a necessary sixth vote, the St. Charles Parish Council took action Monday to move theLakewood Drive subsurface drainage project off dead center.

Five councilmen arrived for the 7 p.m. meeting – Bill Sirmon, TerryAuthement, Dee Abadie, Brian Champagne and Barry Minnich. After phoningthe absent members, Dickie Duhe arrived to make it happen.

Parish President Chris Tregre and contractor J. Caldarera and Co. ofLaPlace worked out an agreement prior to the Oct. 4 council meeting toallow Caldarera off the subsurface portion of the contract and allow another contractor to complete that job.

The agreement formed part of an emergency ordinance to expedite the total contract, but action awaited the bid process for the replacement contractor.

Monday’s meeting was an emergency meeting to expedite the project, which now should begin Monday and be completed in 180 calendar days, according to public works director Richard Wright.

Caldarera, meanwhile, has until Nov. 30 to complete work on two pumpingstations or face financial penalties.

With five bidders on the project, Byron E. Talbot Contractor Inc. got thenod in a 6-0 vote with a low bid of $928,306. With the change incontractors, the parish will also realize a savings of $590,000, according to Tregre.

The project has inconvenienced Lakewood residents since it began in January and contributed to two auto accidents at the scene. It wassupposed to have been finished by August.

However, it snagged in April upon discovery of sewer lines already in place where drainage pipes were scheduled to be installed.

“I’m glad it’s finally getting done,” Sirmon commented, reminding the council of recent traffic accidents in the vicinity. Minnich said he hadalready spoken to the sheriff’s office to increase patrols in the area.

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