FERRIDAY — An ordinance to increase garbage rates will be presented at the next meeting of the Ferriday Board of Aldermen, but Mayor Glen McGlothin said it will not be a big jump in rates.

A “knuckleboom” truck owned by the town is being used more than ever to collect debris from demolished structures and tree limbs. McGlothin said the truck gets about five miles to the gallon, and is used daily to pick up junk around town.

Additional costs to pay a driver and operator, and to maintain a burn site are also costing the Town of Ferriday. It will take a vote on the part of the board to raise the garbage rate.

“We already have a provider for garbage pickup (at residences),” McGlothin said. “The town is liable for junk pickup. We just need to make enough to cover that increase.”

Alderman Elijah “Stepper” Banks requested a street overlay on Tennessee Avenue. McGlothin said there are plenty of streets that need work in the town, but there might be a solution that suits everyone.

“Tenth Street is like a roller derby,” McGlothin said.

He said approximately 20 years ago a millage was passed to overlay several Ferriday streets, and it is time to renew it again.

The mayor said an ordinance to extend the millage will be presented at the next meeting.

“There will be no raise in taxes,” McGlothin said. “We’ll just extend the millage.”

The meeting ended on a happy note — with cheers and clapping from elated parents and grandparents who filled the town hall to standing room only. The TNT Ferriday Little Trojans football team is ranked sixth in the U.S., and will soon be traveling to Dallas to play in the Cowboys stadium.

McComb resident Chris Dillon, commissioner of the TNT league, traveled to Ferriday to publicly commend the team, which is ranked just behind Dionne Sanders’ team (No. 1) and rapper Snoop Dogg’s team (No. 4). He called for the community to get behind the young athletes.

“They are one of the greatest teams in the nation, and that’s not easy to do,” Dillon said. “These guys represent Ferriday well. They can get to Dallas and be No. 1, with the (town) standing behind them.”

A carnival to raise funds for the trip has been scheduled for the weekend of Oct. 26.

The mayor said he is proud to get behind the team.

“Everyone talks about getting the kids off the streets,” McGlothin said. “Now’s a good time to put your money where your mouth is.”

To make a private donation to the Ferriday Little Trojans Dallas trip, call Mack Bates at 318-719-1542.

The next meeting will be Tuesday, Nov. 8.

In other news from the meeting:

– N-Court, a company that provides a web service to pay fines, was authorized to set up an account for the town. The account will be created at no cost to Ferriday. N-Court’s profits come from a convenience fee.

McGlothin said the N-Court system is the ideal way to collect traffic fines from passers-through.

– Alderwoman Gloria Lloyd asked why water bills have increased in Ferriday. McGlothin said it is a mandatory state surcharge for the Clean Drinking Water Act — which is ironic, considering Ferriday’s seemingly endless water problems, the mayor said.

McGlothin added that he called the state and asked for a break, but state officials said no.

– Lots located behind Taunton’s store were donated by the property owner to the town.

– A complaint was recently filed by a resident against certain Ferriday police officers. Because the complainant was not notified to attend the meeting, the matter will be handled when all parties are available.

– A decision was made about the frequency of community road block fundraisers. It was decided by the board that there will be one roadblock a quarter, and exceptions can be made. Interested groups should approach the board for permission.