The Jena Town Council learned their water system received an “A” from the Louisiana Department of Health and were extremely pleased with the work Town Superintendent Ronny Steele and employees have achieved during the past two years.

Steele delivered the exciting news of the 99 A water grade during the Council’s monthly meeting held May 6. He noted the 2023 water system scores were recently released and showed a significant increase in score from the town’s 2022 score.

For the 2022 water grading year, the town’s system received a 90 A. Although Steele was pleased with the 99 A for 2023, he informed the Council a portion of the grading system is being questioned.

“There is one item I question and I’ll be meeting with some officials later this week to get an explanation with hopes of having the final score changed,” the Superintendent said. “The way I see it, we should have a (score) 104.”

The scoring category listed as “Financial Sustainability” took off five points from the town’s score due to rate study and/or adequate rates for the system. The town recently raised water rates and should have alleviated any issues regarding this section of the scoring process.

Jena Mayor LaDawn Edwards agreed, noting “it really should be a 104.” All of the members of the Jena Town Council and the Mayor commended Steele for his work with the town, especially with improvements in the water system.

In other business, Jena Fire Chief Josh Corley took time to thank all of the volunteer members of his department for their dedication to the citizens of Jena.

“We have an outstanding group of volunteers who really go above and beyond in their work with our department,” Corley said. “These guys will stay out until early in the morning on calls and then go home just long enough to take a shower and go to their regular jobs. I can’t say enough about how great they are.”

Corley noted that over the years, the Jena Fire Department has transformed from just being called out for fires to now attending most all emergency situations.

He noted members are now trained in various aspects of emergencies, from fighting fires professionally, to emergency medical care, to traffic control, to using life-saving equipment to extract people from vehicles during wrecks.

“So, now, we go out on so many other calls that are not fire related,” the Chief said. “We are able to assist in so many ways which says a lot about the quality of personnel we have.”

In addition, the Jena Fire Department has a stable group of volunteers who have been with the department for many years.

“We have two volunteers with 20-plus years of experience each, 2 volunteers with 15-20 years of experience and 8 volunteers who have between 1015 years of experience,” he said.

Firefighters with their number of years include: Chief Corley, 21; Assistant Chief Charlie Savell, 22; Daniel Hulsey and Rollie Webb, 16; Holly Savell and Chris Cruse, 13; Jim Justiss and Bill Warwick, 12; Robert Warwick, Timmy Renz, Mellanie Hulsey and Kyle Dobbs, 10; Justin Barker and John Hulsey, 9; Jeffery Benson, 8; Daniel Snoddy, 7; Sallie Hogue, 5; Jeffery Bonneau, Dylan Elliott, Cadyn Elliott and Jared Elliott, 4; Dayton Bonneau, 3; Nico Spears, 2; Tim Weir and Savannah Kirl, 1; and the newest volunteers who began this year, Ryan Lovasz, Elayna Lovasz and Joel Poole.

For the month of April, Chief Corley noted the department responded to 11 calls, including six medical assistance calls, two grass fires, one traffic accident, one alarm activation and one powerline incident.

The department also conducted three training events during April including a chemistry of fire FETA class, search and rescue FETA class and a SCBA overview class with over 12 members attended each class.

In the Police Report, JPD Secretary Shellie McCartney delivered the report due to Police Chief Scott McLendon attending a grant seminar. For the month of April, the department made seven arrests, issued nine citations, had eight vehicle assistance, worked four traffic accidents and responded to 92 complaints.

The department also collected $6,563.34 in fines and other fees during the month.

Along with delivering good news about the water system score, Superintendent Steele also informed the Council that during April, his crews responded to 16 water issues, 8 sewer issues and had four gas jobs, all changing out meters.

He also noted that the town park water tank was expected to be completed last week and after seven days of the paint curing, it will be disinfected and then be ready to be put back into service. He noted this restoration was on the inside of the tank and work will soon begin on the Webb Water Tank, which will include painting inside and outside.

Steele also noted that a new mosquito sprayer/fogger was recently purchased and the crew will begin their spraying program within the next two weeks.

Also at the meeting, the Council approved a billboard application for Upward Outdoor Media, LLC, who will be erecting three 12×24 billboards in the coming months. Two will be located on LA 8 near Tractor Supply and the third will be located in the “Y” area of the intersection of US 84 and LA 772 (Hatchery Road – across the road from Farm Bureau).

Lucas LaCour with Upward Outdoor Media said there is still much work to be completed, including permits from DOTD, before actual construction on the billboards begin.

Several years ago, when an out-of-state sign company came into Jena and placed several billboards in Jena, the Council adopted an ordinance that requires any billboards to receive permission from the town before they can build them.

“My main concern is to keep the big signs out of the downtown area,” Mayor Edwards said.

The ordinance allows the Council to decide where signs can be placed, along with approval to erect them.

The Mayor also announced that the Monday following Mother’s Day, May 13, the Jena Splash Pad will officially open for the summer months.