WO infrastructure hopefully to be out of flood risk

David Ball

For The Record

Some infrastructure improvements may be on the way for the Orange County Water Control and Improvement District #2, via the city of West Orange.

The West Orange City Council approved a Hazard Mitigation Grant application on behalf of OCWCID #2. Joe Wilson, president of Arceneaux, Wilson & Cole engineering firm in Port Arthur said, if approved, the grant will allow components at the sewer plant to be elevated and minimize flood risk at their regular meeting Monday night.

What is proposed are 13 new generators, well sites and lift stations to be above flood stage. The backup generators will supply power in case the electricity is off for a long period of time such as with Hurricane/Tropical Storm Harvey.

The infrastructure will be installed 12 feet above sea level. West Orange is nine feet above sea level.

Mayor Roy McDonald read a press release from Union Pacific Railroad in which the railroad crossing on Western Avenue at Foreman Road and Newton Street will be closed on Wednesday, October 17 to upgrade the signals at the crossing. UP asks drivers to make plans for alternate travel routes and plan for additional time.

A Memorandum of Understanding between the city and the West Orange-Cove CISD was approved. Michael Stelly, West Orange police chief, said WOCCISD is starting a police department and the WOPD will offer mutual assistance to them.

It was established West Orange High School will be the only school in respect to regulation of school zones, establishing schools zones, times of school zones and speed limits in school zones as the only school in the city.

McDonald announced the city has received an award for finances and reporting for 21 consecutive years.

"This is a reflection of what the financial department does for us," he said.