The Plaquemines Parish Council convened on November 14, 2024, to address various community concerns, including emergency response protocols and garbage collection issues affecting residents of Lake Hermitage.

The meeting began with a discussion regarding a recent incident involving an ambulance that experienced a dead battery. Council members acknowledged that while the situation was unfortunate, it did not impact the response time to an accident, as emergency medical technicians (EMTs) arrived promptly in a personal vehicle. The council emphasized the importance of maintaining the ambulance fleet in optimal condition to prevent such occurrences in the future.

Following this, the council turned its attention to the ongoing garbage collection issues raised by residents of Lake Hermitage. Several community members voiced their frustrations over the cessation of garbage pickup on the south side of the bridge, attributing the disruption to a road dispute. Residents expressed concerns about the implications for elderly neighbors and questioned the rationale behind the garbage service discontinuation.

John Matherne, a resident, highlighted that his elderly neighbor was paying for garbage collection that was no longer being provided. Other residents echoed similar sentiments, questioning why their garbage was not being picked up despite years of service. They sought clarity on the council's decision-making process regarding garbage collection on private roads.

The council's attorney clarified that while the parish is not obligated to service private roads if they are deemed unsafe, there is no legal barrier to providing garbage collection if residents are willing to pay for the service. This led to further discussions about the condition of the roads and the safety of garbage trucks navigating them.

Clay Boudreaux, a resident with multiple rental properties, expressed his frustration over the lack of garbage collection for his travel trailers, which he argued were being unfairly singled out. He emphasized that the garbage truck had previously serviced the area without issue and called for a resolution to restore service.

In response to the residents' concerns, the council discussed the possibility of reinstating garbage collection on West Cass Lane. A motion was made to initiate this service, with council members considering the implications of road conditions and the need for waivers from residents to mitigate liability concerns.

The meeting concluded with a commitment from the council to further investigate the garbage collection issue and to ensure that residents receive the services they are entitled to. The council plans to follow up on the matter in future meetings, aiming to find a resolution that addresses the community's needs while considering safety and road conditions.