Pontiac council report - cleaning up Ottawa River beaches
Mo Laidlaw
About 20 residents attended the August 8, 2006 council meeting.
Three people came with concerns about the water flowing into Black Bay (Luskville) from creeks and ditches, mostly draining farmland. Mike Leclair described high weed-growth in the water near the beach. Danny Coleman explained that he met the council 6 years ago about this problem and again three years ago when Bruce Campbell, mayor at the time, came to see the problem - tests then showed high levels of E. coli. At that time it was proposed to put in a culvert to divert run-off from ditches, but nothing has happened. The rain this summer has only made the situation worse. “We have few beaches in the municipality. If this was a public beach it would be closed.” Mayor Eddie McCann arranged to view the problem with Councillor Dagenais.
Don McCanse asked about the municipality's responsibility if a culvert diverting water moves the problem to other residents. McCann explained that the landowner must give permission before water from municipal ditches is diverted onto his land. Councillor Jim Coyle clarified, “unless it is a natural watercourse.” McCann agreed that the water in the ditch will be tested as soon as possible.
Septic system inspections
Jean-Claude Carisse pointed out that another source of coliform bacteria is leaking septic tanks. He reminded council that in December 2005 he asked when Pontiac will implement the MRC scheme for regular inspection and maintenance of septic systems, and also suggested hiring a student to test beaches along the Ottawa River to find trouble spots, now that Quyon’s sewage is treated.
Council agreed by 4 votes to 3 to hire an employee for 5 months with the possibility of renewal, to speed up the process of inspecting and updating septic systems.
Lac Beauclair area
Jacques Lizotte asked who recently cut the grass verges on highway 366. For all provincial highways, grass cutting and paving are the responsibility of the ministry of Transport, not the municipality. Lizotte suggested that a larger culvert should have been used under ch. lac la Pêche, and again complained about the crazy civic numbering along highway 366, which goes from LaPêche into Pontiac and back to LaPêche, north of Gatineau Park. “No one can find me,” he stated.
Paving and contracts
Michel Séguin said that a second culvert is needed on Pères Dominicains to deal with the flow of water. He asked when roads would be paved. McCann replied, “we’re close to getting offers for paving.”
Three-year snowplowing contracts were approved for two sectors of the municipality: R.H. Nugent $285,308 for sector B, and Robert Erwin $261,132 for sector C.
Michèle Gaudreau was awarded a three year contract as caretaker of the Bert Kennedy seniors’ hall and the Quyon library for $14,500.
Mario Allen is contracted to demolish an unsafe building at 51 de la Fôret, Luskville, with the cost to go on the owner’s tax bill.
Abattoir proposal
The mayor is authorized to negotiate with Outaouais Valley Fine Meats Cooperative, to encourage them to locate in Pontiac’s industrial area on highway 148 near Quyon. Lawrence Cannon MP and Charlotte L’Écuyer MNA will be asked to confirm that Pontiac will be offered the same financial help as the MRC de Pontiac, to allow the project to go ahead.
Public works
Two hundred metres of Young crescent in Quyon will be taken over by the municipality as soon as it is brought up to standard.
From now on contract truckers (10-wheel trucks) working for Pontiac will be paid $60 per hour.
Tenders will be sought to install a new culvert under Crégheur at highway 148.
Bicycle path update
The next meeting of the committee is in September. The Quyon section (Wyman through Quyon and back to highway 148 near Russell) is expected to take three years to complete. The entire trail is expected to take 5 years. The provincial government has said they will help with funding. So far the federal government has said “No”, although Mayor McCann has talked to Lawrence Cannon.
Building and zoning
Building permits for work estimated at over $1 million were issued in July.
Roger Proulx’s request for a cadastred lot on Dubois was approved.
Hilliard Fahey’s request to CPTAQ to build a house on his farmland on Mountain road, was refused on the grounds that residences should not be built close to animal production farms.
Councillor Jean Amyotte gave notice that he will introduce a modification to the nuisance bylaw, forbidding the use of tents or temporary shelters for storage or sales.
Other business
There were two calls to the fire department in June and 15 calls to animal control.
Bills for $62,254 and fixed expenses of $412,565 for July, were approved.