By Kimberly Hopson
L’Observateur

CONVENT – During its last regular meeting, the St. James Parish Council introduced introduced two ordinances: one to begin a new mosquito control program and the second to reduce fees for solid waste collection and disposal.
The new mosquito control program would coincide with the existing Mosquito Surveillance program, and would deter the threat of diseased mosquitoes that can transmit West Nile, Western Equine Encephalitis and St. Louis Encephalitis. Truck-mounted sprayers would administer adulticide and larvicide using an ultra low volume gas-powered sprayer. Aircraft-mounted sprayers would be used in extreme conditions. The ordinance stipulated that requests may be made to the parish to provide additional spraying prior to planned outdoor activities in areas with an excessive population of mosquitoes, but requests must be submitted at least 72 hours before the event. Additional spraying will cost $75 per application.
The program will be funded by a $3-per-month water meter connection fee.
According to the second ordinance, the council considered a new five-year contract with Waste Management of Louisiana LLC for the collection and disposal of solid waste. The new contract would cost residents $5.30, down from $6.75, a total cost savings of $1.45.
Pubic hearings for
the ordinances will be held on May 15 at
6:15 p.m. at in Vacherie. A second public hearing will be held for the mosquito control program will be held on June 5 at 6:15 p.m. in Convent.