Pontiac council report - Several issues divide council 4:3
Mo Laidlaw
At least sixteen members of the public attended the regular council meeting on 8 March.
Luskville rink is popular
Doreen Sigouin gave an update on the new rink at the Luskville ballpark, which opened in mid-December. About 125-150 people use it each weekend as well as busloads of children from the Notre-Dame-de-la-Joie school during the week. On Friday nights there are ball hockey games.
Jean-Claude Carisse asked for clarification on the state of the sewage treatment plant in Quyon. Councillor Roger Larose confirmed that it is not yet finished. M. Carisse also asked when recycling pickup will start. “This summer” was the response. The municipality’s committee will sign an agreement with the MRC des Collines on how the wheelie-bins (360 litre containers) are introduced.
Arnold Trudeau complained about cement blocks placed on his lot by municipal employees, following complaints about snowmobiles from Kawartha residents. Director-general Sylvain Bertrand explained that the intention was to realign the blocks at the end of Kawartha which had been pushed aside, and apologized about those placed on Mr Trudeau’s property, now removed.
Raymond Bélisle is unhappy about a contract for ditching work being given to a firm based outside the municipality. Councillors explained that the contractor needed a larger “shovel” to do the job. A shovel from Shawville was suitable and $30 an hour less than an even larger local one. Council agreed that in future the size of shovel must be specified in the contract.
New bylaws
Council read a new bylaw on “nuisances” intended to maintain the appearance of properties and the well-being of the community. Among other things no vehicle may be used for storage, garbage containers must be purpose-built and in good repair, and potentially dangerous piles or holes are not allowed, on any lot used for a residence. There are problems with the earlier bylaw adopted in May 2003.
Council read for the first time a bylaw setting the minimum setback for new construction at 35 m along roads under ministry of Transport control: highways 148 and 366, and Eardley-Masham and Lac-des-Loups roads. Setbacks are specified in the MRC’s development plan (schéma). Mayor Bruce Campbell and Councillor Bill Twolan would prefer a smaller minimum setback.
Money matters
$514,345 in fixed expenses were paid in the four weeks ending 24 February.
Proposals to install street lights at three junctions were passed: Parker and highway 148 ($2715), La Baie and Laverdure - a very busy junction with school bus-stop and mailboxes ($5407), and Tremblay and Damas-Perrier ($700).
Following notice of an offence from the ministry of the Environment for a snow dump near Quyon, council requests Fondex to carry out a study on requirements, for a maximum of $4000.
Council discussed whether to spend a further $1500 on repairing the “red packer” garbage truck’s transmission, which has so far cost $6000. Council grudgingly accepted that the transmission needs to be fixed even if the truck is to be sold.
The Luskville carnival committee asked for up to $500 each for two mascot costumes which were stored in the community centre and destroyed by mice. Councillor Jim Coyle suggested that in future, anyone storing property in municipal buildings should sign a waiver. “Why should the municipality provide free storage and be responsible?” Council voted unanimously against reimbursement. They voted to use Abell pest control services at the community centre for $35 a month.
Lack of communication or conflict of interest?
There was a long discussion about whether Councillor Brian Middlemiss is in conflict of interest, sitting on the public security committee which sets pay and conditions for firemen, and being a part-time fireman. Councillor Harold McKenny said he was told by Municipal Affairs that this is a conflict of interest and proposed that Mr Middlemiss be removed from the public security committee. Mr Campbell said that the municipality's lawyer sees “no problem”, and Mr Middlemiss does a good job. Mr Larose said that according to the municipal code a problem arises because our fireman are part-time employees, not volunteers. Council voted 4:3 against Mr McKenny’s proposal (Mr Middlemiss abstained), saying that they would like more information in writing from Municipal Affairs. Councillor Garry Dagenais who also sits on the public security committee, later stated that Mr Middlemiss resigned from the committee last year, and attends the meetings as secretary.
Motorized trails
Council decided to ask the provincial government for help to create a permanent snowmobile and ATV trail. Discussions are being held with La Pêche and the UPA (farmers’ union). Mr Coyle voted against this on the grounds that the trail is not for all off-road motor vehicles.
Council voted by 4:3 to acquire the end of Elm road (formerly rail-line) from Québec, and also voted by 4:3 to acquire by mutual agreement or expropriation sufficient property on one or both sides to make a turnaround at this point.
Paul Desjardins has been hired as the caretaker of the Women’s Institute building in Quyon, with responsibility for cleaning, access and rental.
Regular council meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month at 8 pm at Luskville community centre.