The past four years have seen many improvements in the town of Welsh.

Mayor Karl Arceneaux and outgoing alderman Ronnie Hayes took time Tuesday to reflect on the town’s accomplishments during what was the last meeting of the year for the current board.

Hayes and Aldermen Clint Hardy, who did not seek re-election, will be replaced by Charles “Chuck” Abell Jr. and Melward “Nookie” Doucet Jr. who were elected as aldermen in November. They will officially take office in January.

Arceneaux reflected on the last four years, noting significant achievements such as demolishing 75 blighted properties, removing junk vehicles and improvement to local parks, including the resurfacing of the basketball court and repairing the tennis courts, bicycle bridge and walking track.

“I would like to thank this council for your hard work and team effort,” Arceneaux said. “With your help, we have accomplished many insurmountable tasks. With our blighted property campaign, we have brought pride back to our community.”

“There’s a noticeable difference in our small town,” he continued.  “Our parks are looking better than they have in a long time. We have resurfaced the basketball court and are repairing the lights at Bethune Park. We have repaired the tennis courts, the bicycle bridge and the walking track at Sportsman’s Park. Our new splash pad was a big hit with the kids this past summer.”

He also mentioned refurbishing of the electrical substation and hardening of the power grid with pole replacements and adding regulators to the electrical system. Adjustments were also made to water, sewer, sanitation and electrical fees.

“When it was necessary but uncomfortable, we made the adjustments to our water, sewer, sanitation and electrical fees,” Arceneaux said. “This has made our town a lot more financially stable. “

“With your cooperation, we have overseen the sale of the old light/water plant and the old dollar store that the town owned.” he said. “Both of these are now incredible assets to our town.”

In addition. he said the town has been able to use money from a street maintenance tax and capital outlay to resurface many of its streets and is currently designing and building a frontage road extension along Interstate 10.

“ I think it is our best shot at economic development,” Arceneaux said.

A sewer lift station and sewer lines on the north side of I-10 were also installed in preparation for a new truck stop.

“All in all I think we have had a very successful four years,” he said.

As an outgoing alderman, Hayes expressed gratitude to the citizens for allowing him to serve for four years and congratulated Abell and Doucet as newly elected aldermen. Both men will do a great job for the town, he said.

“I just want to say thank you to the citizens of Welsh for allowing me to serve as alderman for these last four years,” Hayes said as he attended his last meeting. “It has been an enjoyable and rewarding experience.”

“We have an amazing mayor for our town and he has a wonderful board of aldermen,” he continued. “I could not have asked for a greater group to work with.”

Hayes also highlighted improvements in electrical, water and street infrastructure, as well as blighted property and park enhancements, as well as work to extend the frontage road to attract more businesses to the community.

“I was happy to be part of these improvements, and I know that more improvements will be coming,” Hayes said. “ As a concerned citizen, I will continue to help in this endeavor to make our community the best ever. Again. I would like to thank you for the opportunity working with you these last four years, and best of luck to all of you. “