Jena Mayor LaDawn Edwards updated the Jena Town Council about recent improvements to the Dixie Youth ball fields and facilities during the council’s regular meeting Monday morning, April 3.

Edwards noted that prior to the start of the Dixie Youth boys’ season, new LED lights were installed at the ballfields and they have improved the lighting for the games.

“We want to thank Harold Carter for all of his assistance, along with Councilman David Paul Jones,” the mayor said. “The new lights have really made a difference.”

Along with new lights, Edwards noted that improvements have been made inside the concession stand and the restroom facilities.

“Nathan Palmer has repainted the inside of the bathrooms and we are looking at getting tankless toilets in order to prevent vandalism,” she said.

The mayor noted that vandalism continues to occur at the park facilities with the majority of it occurring late in the night on weekends.

“We may start locking the bathrooms late at night to help prevent this,” she said.

Also at the park, the mayor noted that Martha Wood paid for new LED lights to be installed at the tennis courts and Harold Car- ter donated his time to install the new lights.

Mayor Edwards also reminded the council that the annual Easter in the Park will be held Friday, with the town hall offices closed that day for Good Friday and the event.

“We have the most vendors we’ve ever had this year and the ladies here have been working very hard stuffing 5,000 eggs for our Easter egg hunts,” she said. “I also want to thank the local churches and others for helping make this possible.”

In other business, the council adopted the amended 2022 sales tax budget and proclaimed April 10 -14 as National Community Development Week in support of the Community Development Block Grant Program that provides needed funds for various town projects.

In the superintendent’s report, Superintendent Ronny Steele noted that his department repaired 12 water leaks during March and eight sewer issues were resolved.

He also noted that water samples collected and sent to the health department were all negative and in compliance.

Steele continued to report that the town’s engineer, Keith Capdepon, has the plans available to upgrade and install a generator at the Gaharan water well and should be ready to go out for bids this week.

“We’ll probably start spraying for mosquitos later this month but will be according to weather and when they start moving,” he said.

In the fire report, Assistant Chief Charlie Savell reported the department responded to eight alarms during March, including three structure fires, two brush fires, one vehicle accident, a natural gas leak and a service call.

He also reported that members attended four training classes including a First Five Minutes class, a Portable Extinguishers class, an Officer Training class and a Water and Water Supply class.

In the submitted police report, the department showed that during March it responded to 226 complaints, worked three vehicle accidents, had 10 vehicle assistance calls, issued 21 citations and made five arrests.

The department also collected $9,452.00 in fines.