Parks — One of the main issues raised by Mayor Kevin Kately during the October meeting of the Parks Village Council was the ongoing problem of “jakebraking,” or engine compression braking, by semi-trailer trucks — particularly during the late-night and earlymorning hours.
“These trucks come through from Breaux Bridge at one or two in the morning, and that loud braking noise wakes people up,” Kately said. “They start braking as they enter town near the school and keep it up all the way through the stop sign.”
Kately noted that the layout of houses in that area tends to amplify the sound.
“Even from my home, which isn’t that close to the intersection, I can hear them,” he said.
The mayor added that numerous residents have called to complain, leading him to take action. “I’m in the process of putting up signs in the area prohibiting the practice,” Kately explained. “If the police catch drivers violating that, the fine will be $400.”
Fines
The council also discussed two items related to the village’s water system. The first concerned the new water well.
“The engineers have sent the plans to Baton Rouge for state approval,” Kately said. “Once that comes through, we can begin digging the new well.”
The second item involved the installation of new water meters. According to Kately, the first phase of the project is nearly complete.
“About 90 percent of the new meters have been installed, and we expect the work to be finished within the next month,” he said.
He acknowledged that some residents have raised concerns about their new water bills. “
A lot of that is because some customers have had the same meter for 20 or 25 years,” Kately said. “Many of those old meters were leaking and not recording the leaks. The new digital meters detect them, which shows up on the bills—so people are discovering leaks they didn’t know they had.”
Aside from those topics, there was little else on the agenda. Kately reported that construction on the new library remains on schedule, with most preliminary work now complete.
In other business, the council voted to donate $1,500 to the St. Martin Council on Aging.
“It’s something we do every year to support the good work they do throughout the parish,” Kately said.
Before adjourning, the mayor reminded residents that his office maintains an open-door policy.
“If anyone has a problem or concern, I encourage them to call or come by,” he said. “I want to understand what’s going on so we can take appropriate steps to fix it.”
With no further business, the council adjourned until its November meeting.
