War of words breaks out about Ferriday water

By Mary Hood (Contact) | The Natchez Democrat

Published Wednesday, July 15, 2009

FERRIDAY — After nearly an hour-long executive session, Town of Ferriday and Triton officials agreed to disagree.

The town of Ferriday authorized a contract with Triton Water Technologies, Inc., earlier this year to replace the town’s failing water plant tank with two new ones, fix electronics at the plant and replace all water meters.

In May, the board of aldermen voted to terminate the contract because the project had not begun.

A war of words broke out during the town’s regular meeting Tuesday about the genesis of the termination.

The town claims that Triton agreed to get front-end funding for the project, yet Triton officials claim they never agreed to that.

Triton officials appeared before the board to settle an alleged threat of litigation between the company and the town.

Triton was listed on the agenda to speak during the public meeting, but Mayor Glen McGlothin insisted the matter dealt with litigation and must be discussed during executive session.

A suggestion by Alderwoman Gloria Llyod that it be aired out in public led to an eruption between Triton’s attorney Preston Castille, Town Attorney Anna Ferguson and McGlothin.

Ferguson said after she sent a letter to Triton detailing the grounds for termination, the town was slapped back with the threat of a lawsuit.

“I did not receive a congenial phone call,” she said. “What I received was a letter that said we’re going to sue you.

“At that point, litigation begun.”

However, Castille insisted the meeting take place in public, as the town has only heard Ferriday’s side of the argument.

“I think the town needs to hear the other side of the story,” he said. “We never said we would provide financing.”

But Castille immediately followed that statement by saying financing for the project has been set up by Triton, but the town turned down the finances.

Voices began to rise and McGlothin did not allow the conversation to continue in front of the public.

“I haven’t had my say,” Castille said.

After McGlothin’s promise to share what was said during the executive session, the board quickly ended the meeting with a motion by Alderman Johnnie Brown.

Brown’s motion was that Ferguson and Triton attorneys contact each other to discuss the situation.

“We look forward to you continuing to work with us,” Castille said.

McGlothin said he does not know if the matter will result in third-party litigation.

“We agreed to disagree,” he said. “We agreed to meet and iron it out.”

Ferriday has been under a boil-water notice since May 12.