Grand Coteau has once again been named a town after a population increase.

When the 2010 census came out, Grand Coteau had a population of 942 people, giving them the title of a village.

“Some people have passed away, some people moved away, and some people didn’t fill out the census,” says Mayor Shatteral Johnson.

Johnson says the population has to be over 1,000 to qualify as a town but that lack of registry from residents led to a deceiving number.

Johnson called for a special census but instead of hiring an expensive independent agency to do the job, they took matters into their own hands.

This resulted in the Mayor’s Office calling for a special census.

“So my board and I decided that the cheapest route would be for us to just do it ourselves,” says Johnson.

According to Johnson, this process started back in December.

Now that the population has reached 1,021 residents.

The town can now keep the title that is engraved at their headquarters.

Grand Coteau can now reap the benefits that come with being a town as opposed to a village.

“Towns get state funding for education, roads, etc.” says Johnson.

Johnson says the biggest benefit of being a town is being able to have 5 alderpersons as opposed to being limited to three in a village.

She says the more you have, the more effeciently the town can run.

“The alderpersons are the ones that passes the ordinances, they approve the spending and everything,” says Johnson.

Johnson says there are currently two vacant positions for alderpersons.

The town is waiting for the governor to decide who will fill those positions.