LAPLACE — Construction of the new St. John Senior Center is substantially complete, at least enough for the contractor to be paid.

Or maybe not, depending on who one is apt to believe.

A rather benign motion to deem the new center complete sparked a surprising and lengthy discussion during last week’s Parish Council meeting. Councilman Larry Sorapuru Jr., whose district includes the West Bank facility, said he did not believe the project was complete because a service counter that will allow food to be served from the kitchen had not been constructed.

However, Parish President Natalie Robottom pointed out the counter in question was not part of the original $657,000 contract with LA Contracting Enterprises LLC, and thus by law cannot be included in the scope of the work.

“Depending on cost will depend on how we have to (finance the counter),” Robottom told Sorapuru.

Sorapuru refused to stand down, saying the counter was promised during a meeting with several of his constituents two months ago. Council members acknowledged a need for the counter but on several occasions pointed out that since it was not part of the original proposal the work could not be included at this point.

Councilman Larry Snyder said he did not believe it was fair to hold back payment to LA Contracting for work that had been completed within the framework of the original contract, a fact Sorapuru refused to concede.

Sorapuru’s motion to table the issue was defeated 6-2, with only Lennix Madere Jr. and Sorapuru supporting it. Approval was eventually given for LA Contracting to be paid.

“I’m very disappointed,” Sorapuru said.

— By Richard Meek