FERRIDAY, La. – Water and sewer projects and a closed-door meeting on a state auditor’s report and Police Department matters took center stage at Tuesday meeting of the Ferriday Town Council.

Town officials said Ferriday plans to issue up to $415,000 in bonds to improve its wastewater facilities. After the town’s intent to issue bonds is advertised for four weeks in the Concordia Sentinel, a public hearing will be held on the issue.

The council voted to make $77,250 in improvements to a sewer lift station that serves north Ferriday. First, the council voted to approve sewer service to an apartment complex for the elderly that the Macon Ridge Community Development Organization plans to build on Lincoln Road. Instead of building its own sewage treatment facility, Macon Ridge will pay a $25,000 fee to tap into Ferriday’s sewer system. That amount will be put toward the cost of the lift station project. Buddy Spillers, Macon Ridge director, promised to help the town apply for grants to cover the rest of the cost.

Earlier, the council voted to write a letter to the Office of Rural Development explaining why it cannot extend sewer service to an apartment complex Baton Rouge developer Craig Smith has planned for Lincoln Road.

&uot;We’d love to bring in 1,000 apartments, but our sewer system just can’t handle it,&uot;&160;said Councilman William Rucker.

At the end of the meeting, the council went into executive session to discuss a report released Monday by Legislative Auditor Dan Kyle.

It revealed, among other things, lax efforts to track traffic tickets and collect water bills, conflicting accounting figures and incomplete personnel files and time cards. Mayor Odeal Montgomery said most of the report’s findings dealt with &uot;problems with procedure. We’re doing things the way we have done them for years.&uot;

The council also discussed police matters. Councilman Bob Jones has twice attempted to oust Police Chief Eddie Newman. No action was taken on either matter after the executive session.