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DPW UPDATE – 1/26/15
Roadway blacktopping report – thus far 31 miles of Parish Maintained roads have designated as roads to be blacktopped during 2015;
14 of the 55 roads (26%) listed have the cross-culverts installed.
WPSO air conditioning – The 60-ton Chiller unit is in full service to the WPSO administration offices and Jail.
DOTD Road Transfer Program – Parish roads (Choctaw & Dummyline) are now in the DOTD Maintenance program. Choctaw Rd. (Hwy. 10 north to Hwy. 436) will be designated as LA. 3111 and Dummyline Road (John Jones Rd. to Hwy. 1072) will be designated as LA. 3171. The Project Number is H.011755 and will be bid on August 12, 2015.
Poole’s Bluff Recreational Trails Program – In preparation for the construction of the Pearl River Nature Park Fishing Pier; the sub-structure materials (wood pilings, caps, stringers & decking) are ordered and scheduled for delivery tomorrow January 27,2014.
Washington Parish Animal Shelter – At the Planning Commission Meeting Last Tuesday evening this council chamber was filled with avid supporters and potential volunteers to assist is developing an animal control program; we are in the process of identifying volunteers to assist with the overall program; many at the meeting were very knowledgeable and involved with the Magnolia Chapter of the Humane Society of LA.
END OF UPDATE
PROPOSED ANIMAL SHELTER - WASHINGTON PARISH, LA - JANUARY 20, 2015
This is a narrative of the proposed building / shelter to serve the small animal (cats and dogs) needs of Washington Parish, Louisiana, to be built on Washington Parish Government property in a rural section of Franklinton, known as Sheridan. The building is located on the grounds of a DPWfacility 23046 Yacc Road close to Seven Mile Road at the intersection of LA. State Hwy. 10, between Franklinton and Bogalusa.
Seventy Thousand Dollars ($ 70,000) from Louisiana Government Assistance Program (LGAP) funding has been dedicated for use to hire contract labor; generally, the Parish will solicit competitive bids to construct a new waste water system, build fencing and gates to control the animal population and update the plumbing, electrical, HVAC and venting systems. Additionally, Eighty Thousand Dollars ($ 80,000) is available for purchase of materials. The building that will house the animals under beam is approximately 5,000 square feet.
The scope of work will include but not limited to the following:
Establish a ventilated general kennel area with concrete runs*, sloped towards trench drains and piping leading to a waste water system approved by the SPCA and the State of Louisiana DH&H. The plan is to attain a suitable capacity for dogs that could be doubled up in case of temporary excessive animal inflow. Cats will be housed in individual cages placed atop the same approved waste water system.
*Construction: 4” minimum concrete, outdoor slab-on-grade w/portions sloped drains throughout.
Climate-controlled intake and exam room with services required for temporary housing of stray and/or abandoned small animals
Work room with food storage and preparation areas, general storage, bathing and grooming area, and janitor’s station.
Construct a fenced-in yard adjacent to the existing DPW building; fencing and gating will be used to separate the animals as needed and /or recommended by the veterinarian overseeing the animal control program.
Construct additional piping to add to the fresh water resources as needed for the animals consumption and for cleaning the facility; an existing, functioning water well is at the DPW site.
Currently, construction materials (concrete block & reinforcement steel) purchased for this facility are stored at the proposed site on Yacc Road.
The Washington Parish Planning Commission meets every Month, next meeting scheduled for tonight, Tuesday January 20, 2015 @ 6 PM at the Parish Courthouse – first floor meeting room. The Washington Parish Animal Control plan will be on the agenda. Planning commission members are tasked with writing the plan.
Our mission is much broader than building a block and mortar building. An animal control and care program needs to be written and established;additional funding will be necessary to establish a sustainable sheltering facility.
The Laws* of the State of Louisiana mandate that each Parish is responsible to establish and use all resources available to make the long term changes for animal care that local organizations simply cannot.
*LA R.S. 3:2773 requires that "the sheriff, constable, or other police officers of any parish, ward, or municipality shall seize any dog found unaccompanied by its owner or keeper and running at large on any road, street, or other public place, or trespassing on any premises other than the premises of the owner."
*LA R.S. 3:2774 requires that "each parish shall provide suitable shelters or facilities for dogs seized under the provisions of this Part".
Currently, the Washington Parish Government is working with limited dedicated resources to move this program forward.
Leo Lucchesi - Director of Public Works
END OF UPDATE
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