Pontiac council report - no municipal layoffs
Mo Laidlaw
Thirty people attended the council meeting on January 17, 2006, despite freezing rain. One large group were municipal blue collar workers seeking assurance that their jobs will not be put out to contract like garbage pickup. Mayor Eddie McCann said, “We have a good staff. Council does not want to lay off people. There is no question of major layoffs or restructuring. You have an employee-friendly mayor and council.” To the challenge from one employee to put this in writing, Mr McCann said he would, although he couldn’t promise that no jobs would ever disappear. As an example of changing job requirements, he said that the dump will soon have a full-time employee supervising.
Lavigne project in Breckenridge
Christian St-Louis spoke for a group from the Lavigne Project, again requesting paving for their roads to make the subdivision more attractive to new residents (20 lots remain to be built). “We pay high taxes so we should get priority.” (The last council divided money for roads equally between wards, regardless of new development.) Mr St-Louis suggested that when a building permit is issued it should be made clear that if builders damage asphalt they pay to repair it. He also commented about one house with unattractive siding that lowers the tone of the neighbourhood, “we need a bylaw.” Mr McCann replied that these are subjects for the CCU (planning committee) which meets soon. “There will be a 4-year plan for paving, which everyone wants.” He agreed that better roads and high quality building will help give us pride in our municipality. Priorities for paving will be discussed by the CCU. There is $20,000 in Eardley RA’s budget for the new park in the Lavigne project.
Car graveyards
MaryAnne Sauvé Legendre asked council to help resolve problems at the Legendre garage in Heyworth. Provincial ministries have noted infractions. For example, dumps, including scrap yards (cimetière de vehicules) are not allowed within 150 m of a highway, and must be fenced (Transport); oil, batteries and waste were improperly stored and there were tires in Brady Creek (Environment).
Ms Sauvé said she is separated from Mr Legendre and has not lived there for years, and yet “I’m being hassled” by anonymous letters. Although not responsible, she is concerned that soil and water downstream may be contaminated. A letter dated 9 Feb 2004 from MoE states “if there is prejudice to the environment or to the health and safety of the population, MoE may take the necessary measures (decontamination, restoration etc).”
More development?
Bill Twolan asked if council will push the MRC to produce its new master plan, in particular “to push for more development to keep taxes low. Is it possible to make developers pay for paving and park equipment?” Mr McCann said there is money in the MRC budget to work on the plan this year, one reason that taxes went up. The municipality has to supply park equipment, by law.
Leonard Lloyd was concerned about possible layoffs. Mr McCann repeated that no one has lost their job as a result of garbage pickup going out to contract. Mr Lloyd complained that the fire tanker truck is being used to transport water for the municipal complex. Mr McCann says this is necessary until the water system is sorted out.
Snowplowing
Milton Maxsom asked council to remind snowplow operators not to push snow across roads when cleaning driveways, leaving frozen ridges. He also asked for ditches to be cleaned on Maple as the water is overflowing. Jean-Claude Carisse asked council to remind snowplow operators not to pile snow so it blocks the view at road junctions, such as Mountain Road and highway 148.
Rick Knox complained about snowplowing on highway 148. This is a provincial responsibility — complaints should be sent to Transport Quebec. He asked again about contracting out garbage pickup. Mr McCann repeated that we now know the cost of garbage pickup for the next four years. In the cost study of municipal pickup, trucks were amortized over 10 years, but in practice they should be traded in after 5 years, which costs more.
Recreation and culture
Grants totalling $87,450 will be given to local associations. The largest amount is $54,900 for Eardley RA, which includes $20,000 for the Lavigne park. Other grants include Quyon Sports et Loisirs, $10,500; Quyon Legion, $4,000; Maison de la Famille, $4,000, Quyon Ensemble, $1,000; Beechgrove RA, $2,000; Shawville Arena, $3,200; and amounts for seven other groups.
Other business
Bills for $410,021 and fixed expenses of $40,872 for December to January 10, were approved.
Ads will be placed in local papers calling for volunteer firefighters, Pontiac residents preferred.