Pontiac council report - More debate on the Luskville Dragway
Mo Laidlaw
Over 20 members of the public attended the regular council meeting on 9 August 2005 which started a few minutes late.
Temperature rises
At first it seemed like a return to the rougher old days of Pontiac council meetings. Claude Marcotte threatened the council with a formal notice (mise en demeure) if they proceed with filling in a ditch. He says this will cause the Quyon river to back up. “I’ve been there for 35 years and had floods in my store.” Councillor Jim Coyle explained that a catch-basin has been built adjacent to Mr Marcotte’s property, and that the municipality is following the engineer’s plans. Mr Marcotte said the engineer had told him that the ditch should not be blocked. Mr Coyle replied that this information had not been passed on to the municipality. Mr Marcotte retorted, “You phone him, that’s what you’re paid for.”
The Luskville dragway debate
The proceedings returned to a more friendly footing. Pat Lusk, Milton Maxsom, Marcel Lavigne and Debbie Tremblay, all spoke in favour of the Luskville dragway, which Mrs Lusk says brings revenue to the municipality, and supports local organisations. “We’ve got to work together to create a community; do something positive rather than complain,” she stated. Mayor Bruce Campbell told Mrs Lusk, “You should run for Mayor, you’d get my vote.”
Mr Maxsom has two cars worth nearly $100,000. “Without the track there’d be nowhere to go.” His son sells car parts and makes a good income from the track. Mr Lavigne described Luskville’s attractions as “the dragway and the Luskville falls, but the falls are dry.” Ms Tremblay explained that she lives next door to the track and her children go to there constantly. They make friends with children from the US and Ontario.
Councillor Bill Twolan said that berms could be built which would provide a viewing area for spectators as well as reducing the spread of noise. He claims that the dragway allows people to race their cars in a safe environment. “For $20 you can race your street car. We have the lowest mortality rate in the area.” Marie-France Corriveau wondered who would pay for improvements to the track and explained that she just wants to make sure that the Dragway respects existing rules on opening hours and the noise bylaw. Municipal director Sylvain Bertrand replied that the lawyer’s opinion has been received, but is not a public document until the councillors have discussed it, which they will do before a public meeting. Bruno Alary stated he has no intention of trying to close the track after 35 years but wants to improve it and make sure rules are respected.
Celebrating 150 years
Mr Lavigne said that neighbouring municipalities such as Bristol and Clarendon are celebrating 150 years of incorporation, and reminded council that Eardley and Onslow were also incorporated in 1855. In 1975, Eardley, North and South Onslow and Quyon amalgamated to form “the great municipality of Pontiac”. In 1977, the centennial of the Town Hall in Luskville was celebrated. On another point Mr Lavigne is concerned that in future Canada Post may close their counters in Luskville or Quyon.
Quyon
Mrs Lusk asked everyone to come to the Quyon Community Days on 10-11 September, put on by the Lions and Lionettes.
Leonard Lloyd again brought a list of problems to the table, including broken street lights, the need for public washrooms near the boat dock, and the problems of speeding ATVs and “two-wheelers that will kill someone”. He reminded council of the need for a toilet and phone at the garbage dump for the employee. Councillor Pierre Lafrance suggested that the Lion’s Club (near the boat dock) is asked to open their washrooms to the public. Mr Campbell suggested a cell phone and a go-hut is obtained for the dump employee.
Jean-Claude Carisse asked for updates on the bicycle trail and recycling bins. Mr Campbell replied that the MRC des Collines is responsible for the trail which will be completed in three sections over three years, starting next year at the west end (as reported last October). Distribution of the “bacs” or wheelie-bins for recycling should take place in October. There will be a hazardous waste collection on 22 October.
New bylaws
Following a public consultation earlier in the evening, the bylaw adding usages C3 and C4 to zone 41, the industrial park, and the bylaw allowing temporary occupation of campers etc on residential lots were given their second reading. The bylaw adding usage C5 to the centre of Quyon was removed from the agenda.
Bills and other business
Invoices and fixed expenses for July amounting to $286,540 were approved.
Mr Bertrand announced that the municipality is receiving $800,000 as its share of the gasoline tax for 5 years.
Council voted to confirm its resolution passed last August in regard to Madeleine Carpentier’s complaints. They will not spend any more time or money to solve her alleged drainage problem; she may take legal action if she feels she has suffered damages.
The speed limit on the residential part of River and Cochrane roads will be reduced to 50 km/h from 70 km/h. Signs will be put up to indicate the affected area.
Following a request by the Pontiac ATV Club, ATV riders will be permitted to use certain municipal roads between Quyon and the municipality of Bristol, and put up road signs at their own cost.
At a meeting on 6 July council resolved to send Sno Mad a list of conditions for the municipality's purchase of the Sno Mad building at 2930 hwy 148 as a Community centre.
Residents may contact their councillor with suggestions, problems or offers to help.