The Winn Parish Police Jury congratulated members of the Hudson Gaars Mill Water System at its May 20 meeting.  Their water just tastes better, a fact proven at both the state and national levels.

The local system competed in the 25th annual “Great American Water Taste Test” (having earlier won top honors in the Louisiana rural competition).  The national event was held in Washington, D.C., on February 7. Throughout the year, utilities from across the country vie for a spot to represent their state during the National Rural Water Rural Water Rally. This is the nation’s most prestigious competition for the best-tasting water.

From a field of 41 rural water systems, Hudson Gaars Mill came home with the Bronze Medal.  The other states in the top five were Wisconsin, Kentucky, Wyoming and Massachusetts. This event gives Rural Water advocates from across the country an opportunity to gather in the nation’s capitol and progress our grassroots agenda in the halls of Congress.  

Speaking for the group was operator Eric Hammons who called the winning results a “team effort” built over the past 10 years by several boards.  He also thanked the jury which helped them put in their new well.  The first was drilled in 1978 to a depth of 820 feet into the Sparta Sands aquifer.  The new well was drilled in 2020 to a depth of 530 feet, also into Sparta.  “We will try to keep winning awards.”

Almost as an added benefit to appearing before the parish lawmakers, the water system received a reimbursement check in the amount of $20,368 from the jury, presented by president Frank McLaren for general expenses incurred, such as valves and flushing lines.

In other action, road superintendent Perry Holmes reported that recent heavy rains have caused road washouts around the parish that have kept crews busy with repairs “but we’ve still be able to get a good bit of grading done.”  He reported that one bushhog is running and he anticipates the second will soon be operational.  Perhaps with a hire, both will be out “and we’ll be able to knock down some of the high grass.”

He also gave an update on the capital outlay project on the Frank White Road where six culverts are being replaced, four of them completed and the others planned this week.  After that sets up for a week or two, overlay work can begin.  Juror Stanley Garrett suggested that riprap be placed at the project’s end to prevent erosion.  Holmes agreed but pointed out that this would come at the jury’s expense.  In response to a question, Holmes said that instead of grinding up a stockpiling the old asphalt as done previously, that material is now cut back into the base.  “That keeps it right there on that road.  It’s better than it used to be.”

The jury officially canvassed the returns of the special election April 27.  Voters approved renewal of a half-cent sales tax for road maintenance.  “We thank the people of Winn for their confidence and support,” said McLaren.  “We wouldn’t have been able to operate without this funding.”

The lawmakers also adopted the 2024 Ad Valorem millage rates totaling 22.38 mills.  Those will be 3.95 for General Alimony; 5.16 for Road #2; 1.94 for Road #1; 3.03 for Library; 5.06 for Library and 3.24 for Health Unit.