Melville, Louisiana, is a small town of 746 residents located in St. Landry Parish in the southern part of the state, along the banks of the Atchafalaya River. Known for its fishing, Melville has a rich history and a strong sense of community. Despite its charm, the town has faced challenges in maintaining infrastructure and essential services.

Enter Khadie’Jah Williams, the Town Clerk who has been instrumental in turning around the Town of Melville. Williams was born and raised in Melville, and her deep love for the community inspired her to take on the role of Town Clerk in January 2023, right when Mayor Caretta Robertson took office.

“Even before I started working here, I was involved in the community, especially with the kids. I wanted to make a difference and improve our community in any way possible.”

When Williams first stepped into her role, she faced an overwhelming situation.

“The office was a mess when she and Mayor Robertson first arrived,” recalled Stacey Scarce, Community Environmental Management Specialist at Communities Unlimited (CU).

One of the significant obstacles Williams encountered was the lack of resources. The previous administration had left many vendors unpaid, resulting in severed relationships and halted services.

Straightening out the accounts proved to be another challenge, taking two to three months just to gain access due to missing passwords and usernames on their computers.

Their primary focus was to restore order, beginning with sending out statements to enable customers to resume paying their bills. It was a considerable mess, but they persevered, addressing each issue step by step to get the community back on track.

The initial action taken was to read the gas meters and send out statements for both water and gas services. Ensuring that customers received their statements was the first crucial step in reestablishing a functional billing system.

“When I started, there were no procedures or guidelines in place. It was a process of learning everything on my own,” Williams said. “We had to rebuild those relationships by starting to pay them and gaining their trust.”

Despite these challenges, Williams stayed determined and proactive. She sought advice from other clerks, implemented their suggestions, and gradually helped restore order. Revenue improved as residents started paying their bills again, and the town rebuilt crucial vendor relationships.

Regaining credibility with key organizations such as the USDA and their engineer was critical for obtaining the guidance needed to proceed with their plans.

Mayor Robertson acknowledges that there is still significant work ahead, estimating that they are about 70% through their goals. While they are still dealing with some issues regarding cutoffs, her primary objective is to get water meters installed throughout the town. These water meters are vital for increasing revenue, which would enable further improvements in the community.

“We’ve made significant progress,” Williams said. “The feedback from the community has been great, and I’m proud that we achieved this together.”

Scarce has played a crucial role in supporting Melville’s transformation. The town has worked with CU’s Environmental Services Team on various projects, including community facilities applications, lead service line inventory, and rate studies.

One notable project was the water meters. With the current mayor’s dedication and CU providing needed funding requirements, the project is now back on track.

“I have to give a special thanks to Ms. Stacey,” Mayor Robertson said. “She helped us immensely, and we’ve learned so much from her.”

Williams expressed immense gratitude for Scarce’s help in acquiring a tractor. She emphasized her consistent positivity and dedication to finding new ways to support the community. Scarce has introduced her to needs she wasn’t aware of and has remained a constant source of motivation, especially during challenging times. Scarce’s reliability and guidance have been invaluable to Williams.

“Ms. Stacey is excellent overall—no complaints, just good vibes,” Williams said. “She’s proactive. For example, she helped with the tractor and calls or texts to inform me about available grants or resources the town can utilize. I’m grateful for her support. One call is all it takes, and she always puts me in the right direction. She has been phenomenal.”

Added Scarce, “Khadie’Jah organized piles of old papers, learning as she worked, with good humor and compassion for community members that were late on water bills. Her dedication, along with the mayor and assistant town clerk, truly has transformed the office and brought a sense of order and care to the community.”

Mayor Robertson said Khadie’Jah excels at staying on top of everything, keeping her well-informed and communicating with her multiple times a day. This constant communication ensures that Robertson is never caught off guard and always knows what’s happening in the town.

“I would not have made it without Khadie’Jah,” Mayor Robertson said. “We’re a good team. The whole team, including the town staff and maintenance, is fantastic. You need people who care about the town to make progress, and my team truly cares.

“I believe Melville can revive itself. Everything we’ve done so far points to a positive future.”