FERRIDAY &8212; The Board of Aldermen voted unanimously to increase Mayor Gene Allen&8217;s expense allowance, but by how much was a matter of less clear consensus.

Allen has been seeking to have his allowance raised to come level with that of his predecessor, Glen McGlothin, who received $500 per month.

The way the motion was proposed by Alderwoman Robin Charpentier and the way it was voted on seemed to be at odds, which made Allen decide after the meeting to hold off on accepting the increase.

&8220;I can wait until the next meeting,&8221; he said. &8220;I won&8217;t take the increase until it is clarified.&8221;

Allen said a study of leaks in the town&8217;s water system is running up the water bill.

&8220;We did a leak study last week, and they told us we should be using 450,000 gallons per day but are really using closer to 900,000 gallons,&8221; he said.

With several leaks now plugged, the system is using closer to 600,000 gallons, he said.

A leaky area on U.S. 84, where a 2-inch water pipe serves only a handful of customers is also an area of concern.

The board couldn&8217;t agree on who owns the pipe, however, so they voted to have City Attorney Derrick Carson investigate the matter before making any decisions.

The board, citing letters of protest, voted unanimously to rescind last month&8217;s proclamation naming Monday L. Ron Hubbard Day in Ferriday.