LEONARD GRAY / L’Observateur / January 14, 2000

HAHNVILLE – The St. Charles Parish Council put a $1.7 million project onindefinite hold Tuesday, awaiting permits.

The contract with Barlett Construction Inc. for construction ofimprovements to the 80-Arpent Canal pump station was not awarded because a coastal zone permit applied for in December was still not in hand and a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers wetlands permit was awaitingaction by the Corps, a three- to six-month process, according to coastal zone management coordinator Earl Matherne.

“We took office yesterday,” Parish President Albert Laque commented.

“We didn’t do this.”In other action, a $9,942 change order and a 73-day extension for the Ormond road raising project while the contractor awaits a state permit to temporarily remove the traffic signal at Ormond Boulevard and Airline Highway was approved in an 8-1 vote.

Problems developed on the project when the contractor, Hebert Brothers Engineers, discovered that utility lines were improperly marked on charts.

“How can you add on when the job is not started?” New Sarpy resident Stanford Caillouet asked.

Ann Trappey of Forte and Tabala consulting engineers responded the job had been in progress for months, and she added the job has been shut down since September awaiting the traffic signal permit from the state highway department. With the permit in hand, and with council approval ofthe extension and change order, the project could now proceed.

In addition, three of Laque’s department heads were confirmed at Tuesday’s meeting, including Robert “Bobby” Raymond as director of Legal Services, Tab Troxler as director of Emergency Preparedness and Corey Faucheux as director of Economic Development and Tourism.

Raymond is a Hahnville attorney who has practiced in St. Charles Parishfor 10 years.

Troxler has worked for the department for almost six years and served as department head for almost five years.

Faucheux began with the parish in 1990 and has served as department head for more than two years.

Also, Destrehan businessman Paul J. “Joey” Murray III was appointed andconfirmed to the South Louisiana Port Commission, succeeding Gregory Lier, a vice-president of Rathborne Land Co.

Raymond, Troxler and Faucheux were confirmed by unanimous votes of the council. Murray’s confirmation came on an 8-1 vote, with Barry Minnichvoting against.

In addition, Laque has named interim directors who may be offered for confirmation, including Robel Howard as director of Community Services, Dennis Butler as director of Public Works and Sewerage, Robbie Brou as director of Waterworks and Bob Lambert as director of Planning and Zoning.

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