While Baldwin’s new water plant is up and running quite well, the town’s old well needs some work to serve as a backup.

Alderman learned Thursday from Mayor Wayne Breaux that some $10,000 in upgrades will be necessary to make the well previously used to supply the town’s water an adequate backup source.

It is mainly because the pumps on the old well do not have quite the capacity to feed to the new plant. The old pumps operate at a slower rate of output than the new facility.

The $10,000, approved by the board of aldermen, will take care of new pumps, feeder lines and check valve.

Breaux said that the new plant is essentially ready for release, and the aldermen authorized paying out the final retainage to the contractors after a few punchlist items are addressed.

Joel Miller, with Miller Engineers of Franklin, also reported that subsurface drainage designs on Branch Street have been completed and his firm is awaiting the final drawings. The board authorized Breaux to begin the project as soon as everything is ready to proceed.

In other business Thursday, Alderman Mike Lancelin proposed a hike in the monthly pay received by the board.

Lancelin proposed raising the board’s monthly fee to $600. They are currently paid $300. Lancelin said the $600 fee is more current with municipalities similar to Baldwin.

A raise for alderman would have to be done by ordinance, which was not introduced Thursday.

Board member Patrice Picard wondered why "this issue came up in June, and nobody was really in favor of it." Picard’s question received no answer.

The board agreed to conduct further surveys of similar municipalities’ pay for alderman and take the matter up again at the next meeting.

Mayor Breaux noted that a budget amendment would be necessary should the raises be approved.

Also Thursday, the mayor asked for a postponement of purchasing a generator for the entire municipal government complex area.

With the addition of the new water plant behind town hall, Breaux had reported earlier that a new generator would be needed to power the water plant, town hall, the fire station and the public works building.

But after looking into new equipment, Breaux said questions have arisen on the ideal location for a generator capable of powering all the facilities, and also whether or not separate generators might be a better idea.

He said he would continue to investigate alternatives.

The board also:

—Heard from Sandra Payton regarding the Christmas Decorating Contest in the town for the upcoming holiday season.

—Approved the annual town audit compliance questionnaire.

—Approved occupational licenses for Ke A Lians’ Teen Center, 211 Rosebud St., for Thelma Johnson, with the provision that operations concur with the town’s curfew for minors; Jackson Hewitt Tax Service, which will locate in the Check Cashing facility on Main Street, and Cherished Gifts and Collectibles, for Ray Frost, at 704 Main St.