By ROBIN SHANNON

Staff Reporter

HAHNVILLE – The St. Charles Council will decide at next weeks meeting whether to approve a $2.5 million sales tax bond issue for the St. Rose Fire Department.

The resolution, proposed by Parish President V. J. St. Pierre, was tabled at the March 24 meeting so that the council could further review the request.

St. Rose Fire Department President Melvin Melancon said the money would be used to replace and upgrade vital equipment for fire protection. He said some of the equipment had not been replaced since 1986.

“A lot of our equipment, like the air packs for example, have a shelf life of a certain amount of years before they need to be replaced,” said Melancon. “We are just looking to make upgrades and replacements on specific gear as needed.”

Melancon said the department is also looking to upgrade their fire rescue truck, which has been in use since 1986, and is in desperate need of improvement.

“We need a truck with better equipment to help us tackle fires more efficiently,” said Melancon. “There is more sophisticated equipment out there.”

According to Melancon, the fire department must follow specific standards, as far as their equipment is concerned, for safety reasons. In most cases, those standards are implemented by their insurance company, who dictates what the department needs to provide adequate protection.

“Whatever they tell us to get, we have to get,” said Melancon.

Melancon also said the bond would consolidate the firehouse’s debt into one place, so it is easier to pay back. He said when the council takes up the issue next week, he may ask for a reduced amount.

The St. Charles Council’s next meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 7 at the Hahnville Courthouse at 6 p.m.