Charges of conspiracy and racketeering flew at Wednesday’s special-called meeting of the Ferriday Town Council.

The meeting was called to address concerns about the stalled community center project.

“I don’t believe that the architect or the contractor had any intentions of finishing this project,” Mayor Gene Allen said. “It’s political, it’s conspiracy and it’s racketeering.”

Work on the project was supposed to start in November, but the contractor, Arkel Constructors, Inc., said there were structural integrity issues with the building they were supposed to renovate, Allen said.

“The contractor said they spoke with architect Christopher Williams about this in October, but we were given no notice of this at a pre-construction conference in November,” Allen said.

Attorney Derrick Carson said a clause in the contract would allow Arkel to pull out if the city failed to pay or if the architect failed to meet certain obligations.

“This is a standard contract, from what I have seen of it,” he said.

As of now, Arkel is holding the town responsible, he said.

The town does not consider the contract to be terminated, Carson said.

More than $90,000 has been paid in architect’s fees, Allen said.

Funding for the project came from the United States Department of Agriculture and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

However, $20,942 of the funds paid were paid by the Town of Ferriday.

Williams told the town $20,942 was needed to get the project back on track by April 1, Allen said.

“It might have been irresponsible, but this town acted in good faith when we voted to send (Williams) the funds,” Allen said. “We have not received anything for that.”

The council members said something needs to be done.

“He’s got our money,” Councilman Jerome Harris said. “We need to get him in here for a face-to-face.”

Councilwoman Robin Charpentier agreed.

“He’s in contract with us,” she said. “He’s reportable to us in some way.”

Councilman Johnnie Brown made a motion for the council’s lawyer to send a letter to Williams requesting that he meet with the board, and for the attorney to do a discovery of all contracts and correspondence that Williams has done in regard to the community center.

The motion passed unanimously.

In other business, the council voted to advertise for bids for a new trash truck, which will be paid for by a grant.