Abbeville Meridional
August 15, 2026
GENERAL MEETING
TOWN OF MAURICE MINUTES
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
The General Meeting of the Officials of the Town of Maurice was opened by Mayor Neil Arsement at 6:00 p.m.
at the Maurice Municipal Building, 405 Lastie Ave., Maurice, Louisiana
Mayor Arsement led the assembly in Prayer and Alderman Matthew Trahan led the Pledge of Allegiance
Roll call of officers
Present: Mayor Neil Arsement; Alderwoman Megan Landry-Lalande; Alderman Troy Catalon; Alderman Jonathan Schlicher; Alderman Matthew Trahan; Alderman
Scott Trahan
Absent: None
Also present: Erica Arceneaux; Nichole Bonin; Shakyla Cormier; Joan Methvin; Kimberly Guidry; Richard Meche, Maintenance Supervisor; Chief Guy Nerren;
Ricky Lafleur, Legal Advisor; Nick Sonnier, Sellers & Associates; Wayne Theriot; Kelly Hardy; Troy Menard; John Dayries; Christina Dayries
Motion: Landry-Lalande/Schlicher moved, seconded and carried to enter the Public Hearing. Yay- All Present
Public Hearing for the Purpose of:
Present Ordinance 26-7 Fire Lane Ordinance of the Town of Maurice- Ricky Lafleur presented the ordinance to establish no parking regulations marked either
by yellow or red striping or signage in fire lanes so the Town could provide enforcement. Nunu’s shopping center had issues with people parking in areas designated
as a fire lane and with the Town’s growing commercial developments, Lafleur advised it was necessary for the Town to adopt an ordinance referring to statute 32:143
& section 1509 of the Administrative Code. Troy Menard, Kelly Hardy, and Wayne Theriot questioned enforcement and signage. Enforcement would apply both to
occupied and unoccupied vehicles. Chief Nerren and Matthew Trahan advised that the Fire Marshal has authority and requires either striping or signage. Businesses
could choose to display both. Schlicher asked why an ordinance was necessary. Lafleur advised it allows local enforcement of the state law. No further comments.
Present Ordinance 26-7A An Ordinance Repealing and replacing Ordinance Numbers 20-11. 19-4A, 16-7, 15-6C, 12-7A, and 8-6A in Order to Adjust the
Police Chief’s Salary Ordinance- Lafleur presented the ordinance. Mayor Arsement advised the new ordinance removes the insurance allowance as suggested by
the Town Auditor since the Town now offers health insurance. Arsement clarified the Chief’s salary discussed a few month prior was incorrect and wanted to go on
record that there was an error in the numbers presented. Landry-Lalande wanted to add a vehicle allowance clause and Lafleur advised this was not necessary
because an elected Chief has inherent authority over the use of a vehicle since he is on 24-hour call. In an emergency, the Chief of Police must have use of a vehicle
to return to the Town. No further comments
Motion: Schlicher/Landry-Lalande moved, seconded and carried to close the Public Hearing. Yay- All Present
Mayor Arsement asked Council members and Chief Nerren to recognize budget to actual financial statements included in their monthly binders- Arsement
advised some were missing due to software failure.
Approval of the June 17, 2026, General Meeting Minutes- No public comment
Motion: S. Trahan/Landry-Lalande moved, seconded and carried to accept the June 17, 2026, General Meeting Minutes as presented. Yay-All Present
Agenda Approval- No public comment
Motion: Landry-Lalande/Catalon moved, seconded and carried to approve the agenda as presented. Yay- All Present
John Dayries- Mr. Dayries, announced his candidacy for Town of Maurice Chief of Police in the upcoming election and discussed his qualifications. Landry-Lalande
thanked Mr. Dayries for his willingness to serve Maurice.
Ricky Lafleur- Final Adoption Ordinance 26-7 Fire Lane Ordinance of the Town of Maurice- Lafleur presented the Ordinance 26-7. No public comments
Motion: Schlicher/M. Trahan moved, seconded and carried to Adopt Ordinance 26-7 Fire Lane Ordinance of the Town of Maurice. Yay- S. Trahan, Landry-Lalande,
Catalon, Schlicher, M. Trahan; Nay- None
Pat McGee- Attorney Contract- Lafleur clarified, the contract discussed at the June General Meeting included attorney fees and expenses. Mr. McGee wrote the
contract with a specific amount for budgetary reasons and was presented in case Mr. Lafleur had any legal matters that were a conflict of interest. If necessary, the
amount could be amended by Council members later. Discussion was held. No public comment
Motion: M. Trahan/S. Trahan moved, seconded and carried to accept and authorize Mayor Arsement to sign the Pat McGee Attorney Contract.
Yay- Landry-Lalande, Catalon, Schlicher, M. Trahan, S. Trahan; Nay- None
Lafleur is waiting on a response to a request made for an AG opinion on a possible tax reduction from Vermilion Parish. Lafleur will speak with Chief Nerren regarding
the abandoned vehicle in Victoria Manor. Arsement questioned processes for blighted vehicles and wanted them towed if within the Town’s legal rights. Landry-
Lalande questioned the Town’s Trash Can Ordinance enforcement. Lafleur will review the ordinances.
Nick Sonnier advised the water Tower completion was scheduled for July 25, 2026.
Nick Sonnier, Sellers & Associates- Louis Pvt Lane Dedication- Sonnier presented letters from residents who owned property along Louis Pvt Lane dedicating
the ROW and utility easement to the Town of Maurice. After reviewing, it was discovered there was one resident letter missing. Council members wanted to see all
the documents before accepting the dedication. Discussion was held. No public comments.
Motion: S. Trahan/Landry-Lalande moved, seconded and failed to accept the Louis Pvt Lane Dedication- Nay- Catalon, Schlicher, M. Trahan, S. Trahan, Landry
Lalande; Yay- None
Introduce Ordinance 26-8A Annexation of LA Hwy 92 East- Sonnier introduced Ordinance 26-8A Annexation of LA Hwy 92 East. Schlicher questioned the ROW
and was informed it goes to the center of the roadway all the way to Kirk Rd. except in front of Magnolia Lakes Subdivision. All signatures from
landowners have been obtained. The State of Louisiana will still maintain the area. Discussion was held. No other public comments.
Motion: Catalon/Schlicher moved, seconded and carried to introduce Ordinance 26-8A Extending and Enlarging the Limits and Boundaries of the Town of Maurice
and Including an Area Known as LA Hwy 92 East and Defining the Entire Boundaries of the Town of Maurice as Changed by the said Addition and set for
Public Hearing to be held on August 19, 2026, at 6pm in the Town of Maurice General Meeting Room located at 405 Lastie Avenue, Maurice LA 70555.
Yay- Schlicher, M. Trahan, S. Trahan, Landry-Lalande, Catalon; Nay- None
Delta Regional Authority Funding Application Resolution- Sonnier advised a Resolution was necessary to apply for funding from Delta Regional Authority through
Acadiana Planning Commission. Funding requests would likely be for the Vincent Street Drainage Project. Discussion was held. No public comment.
Motion: Landry-Lalande/Catalon moved, seconded and carried approving the Delta Regional Authority Funding Application Resolution and Authorizing the Mayor
to sign all Necessary Documents. Yay- M. Trahan, S. Trahan, Landry-Lalande, Catalon, Schlicher; Nay- None
US Hwy 167 Access Connection Improvements Project DOTD CEA Resolution- Sonnier presented the Resolution requesting highway modifications for funding
Maurice received for the J-Turn Project along US Hwy 167. Arsement advised the project would allow access near Nunu’s for the growth of commercial developments
in Town. Discussion was held. No public comment.
Motion: Schlicher/Landry-Lalande moved, seconded and carried Accepting the Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Sign and Submit a Highway Modification
Request and Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with DOTD in Connection with the US Hwy 167 Access Connection Improvements Project.
Yay- S. Trahan, Landry-Lalande, Catalon, Schlicher, M. Trahan; Nay- None
LA Hwy 92 Turn Lane DOTD CEA Resolution- Sonnier presented the Resolution for DOTD to pay for the relocation of the Town’s water and sewer lines outside of
their ROW. Widening would be near Ray’s Quick Stop and the turn radius from 167 to 92 would also be widened. Schlicher asked about a right turn lane. This was not
being considered in the project. Discussion was held. No public comment.
Motion: Landry-Lalande/M. Trahan moved, seconded and carried Accepting the Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Sign and Submit a Utility Relocation
Agreement with DOTD in Connection with the LA Hwy 92 Left Turn Lane @ US Hwy 167 Project (State Project No. H.015427). Yay- Landry-Lalande,
Catalon, Schlicher, M. Trahan, S. Trahan; Nay- None
Joseph Trahan and Laura Smith Preliminary Plat Approval- Sonnier advised the Plat being presented is now known as Boot State Investments LLC. The
developer wanted to subdivide the property for townhomes and request zero lot line setbacks. Council members had concerns about the Town not having specific
regulations for townhouse developments. Nichole Bonin advised if the development isn’t subdivided, the Subdivision Ordinance guidelines would not apply and the
development would be reviewed under the current Residential Building Code. Discussion was held. No public comment
Motion: M. Trahan/S. Trahan moved, seconded and carried to Approve the Joseph Trahan and Laura Smith Preliminary Plat now known as the Boot State
Investments, LLC Preliminary Plat. Nay- Schlicher, M. Trahan, S. Trahan, Landry-Lalande, Catalon; Yay- None
Arsement requested an amendment to include contingencies in the original motion. Discussion was held. No public comment
Motion: Landry-Lalande/Schlicher moved, seconded and carried to amend the original motion approving the Boot State Preliminary Plat to include the
contingencies in the letter from Sellers & Associates dated July 15, 2026. Yay- Catalon, Schlicher, M. Trahan, S. Trahan; Nay- Landry-Lalande
Council members will consider details regarding building townhomes after reviewing what regulations neighboring communities have in place.
Chief Nerren, Police Chief- Updates- Nerren advised 2 full-time officers would be attending the Academy in August. A few of the department’s vehicles had
necessary repair work. The department will be receiving 8 or 10 radios from a grant through the Vermilion Parish Sheriff Office. Nerren wished John Dayries well on
his campaign. Arsement asked Nerren to look at how long officers are required to stay after completing the academy and relay the information to him.
Richard Meche, Maintenance Supervisor- June 2026- 9,414,000 gallons of water produced; 8,792,570 gallons of water sold; 621,430 gallons of water Unmetered;
6%. The number of disconnects decreased from last month. Meche and his crew fixed the sidearm for $2,500 which was $20,000 less than the repair quote given by
John Deere. Meche is also shopping around to try and find vendors with lower chemical treatment costs for the Town’s water and sewer systems.
Mayor Neil Arsement- Introduce Ordinance 26-8 Authorizing Mayor to Sell Improvement Only- Arsement advised a public hearing was necessary to consider
an ordinance prior to selling the home located at 107 W. Corine Street. Council members will have an opportunity to accept or reject offers once an ordinance to sell
has been adopted. Discussion was held. No public comments
Motion: Landry-Lalande/M. Trahan moved, seconded and carried to set Ordinance 26-8 Authorizing the Mayor to Sell Immovable Property Only for Public Hearing
to be held at the Town of Maurice General Meeting Room, located at 405 Lastie Avenue, Maurice LA 70555, on August 19, 2026, at 6pm.
Yay- M. Trahan, S. Trahan, Landry-Lalande, Catalon, Schlicher; Nay- None
Final Adoption Ordinance 26-7A An Ordinance Repealing and replacing Ordinance Numbers 20-11. 19-4A, 16-7, 15-6C, 12-7A, and 8-6A in Order to Adjust
the Police Chief’s Salary Ordinance- Discussion was held. No public comment
Motion: M. Trahan/Landry-Lalande moved, seconded and carried to Adopt Ordinance 26-7A An Ordinance Repealing and replacing Ordinance Numbers 20-11,
19-4A, 16-7, 15-6C, 12-7A, and 8-6A in Order to Adjust the Police Chief’s Salary Ordinance. Yay- S. Trahan, Landry-Lalande, Catalon, Schlicher,
M. Trahan; Nay- None
Sales Tax Report- May 2026 sales tax is $145,984.13 which increased 15.7% from last year. Arsement thanked residents for supporting local businesses.
Updates- Smart meters have been ordered with grant funds and will be distributed to residents wanting the new technology. Arsement asked residents to call the
emergency number if the red warning light on lift stations is flashing. A claim was made for a resident who experienced a sewerage backup over the weekend. A pond
layout on the new park property is being drawn and will be provided once complete. Schlicher advised Wildlife & Fisheries will stock the pond with fish once complete.
Council Concerns- Landry-Lalande recognized The Gilded Lily for being named business of the month with the Vermilion Chamber. Schlicher advised golf cart usage
seems to be going well. Scott Trahan thanked the Maintenance crew for work at the park. Arsement thanked Scott Trahan for guidance with the grass at the park.
Motion: Schlicher/Landry-Lalande motioned, seconded and carried to adjourn at 8:16 pm. Yay- All Present
__________________________ ______________________________
Nichole G Bonin, Assistant Clerk Neil Arsement, Mayor
(PUBLISHED: AUGUST 15, 2026)
Cost: $324.00