City of Rayne seeks drainage aid

Concerns about the drainage ditch that runs along the eastern edge of Gossen Memorial Park were heard by the First Ward Drainage District board Monday morning.
Mayor Charles “Chuck” Robichaux told the board that erosion of the ditch is threatening to encroach upon the electrical switching station there.
“I’m afraid its going to wash out,” Robichaux said. “Already, the cement at the foot of one of the electrical poles there is exposed.”
Robichaux suggested constructing a bulkhead to shore up the embankment and added that he was already “shopping for prices” for such a project.
But the mayor pointed out that the construction project would create — or add to — another problem in that same area.
He said one area of the drainage canal is already “silted in” and should be cleaned.
“When we bore holes for the piling (for the bulkhead), that’s just going to thrown more mud into the ditch,” he said.
“Should the canal be cleared out now or wait until after the bulkhead is constructed?”
Robichaux also pointed out that, once cement is poured for the planned Veterans Park in that vicinity, “it’s going to be harder to get in there and clean it.”
The board told Robichaux they would take the matter under advisement, but assured him that getting back into the canal to clear out the extra mud would not be a problem should the silt be cleared out before the bulkhead is constructed.
There also was some discussion about ways to relieve the build-up of water in the area around Armstrong Elementary School during heavy rains.
The board recommended that Robichaux check with the federal Natural Resources Conservation Service concerning drainage from that area toward Interstate 10.
In other business, the district accepted responsibility for damaging a 6-inch water line belonging to the South Rayne Water District and agreed to pay approximately $20,000 in total repair costs.
Millages for the upcoming fiscal year were set at 7.97 mills, down from the previous 8 mills.
Ben Lormand, secretary-treasurer, explained that, with new, increased assessment valuations, the lower millage rate will generate the same revenue for the district.
The board had the option of remaining at 8 mills to generate additional funding, but opted not to.