Pontiac council report - bike path coordinator hired
Mo Laidlaw
Over thirty residents attended the council meeting on April 10, 2007.
Getting rid of eyesores
Denise Lavigne asked council if they plan to continue with the cleanup of the municipality. “There are old cars everywhere and houses falling down.” Mayor Eddie McCann replied, “This was one of my election promises. We have many cases going to court, which are taking longer than expected. We are hiring an inspector specifically for the clean up.” He later clarified that two inspectors are being hired, one for bylaw enforcement and one for septic tanks.
Paving and two weekly garbage pickup
Gary Trivett, a former ward 7 councillor, claimed that no one believes that Maple Lane will be paved this year. McCann said that work is going ahead. For Maple, Pères Dominicains and Davis/Soulière, much work is needed on the base before paving, because of underlying clay.
Trivett repeated the concerns of residents at previous meetings that two weekly garbage pickup will cause problems with smells, bears and public health. McCann explained again that all municipalities are required to reduce the amount of garbage by 65%. Recycling is one means of reducing garbage, but if recyclables are picked up every two weeks, garbage can only be picked up on alternate weeks. McCann has had many discussions with MRC des Collines mayors (many of the other municipalities are ahead of Pontiac on this issue). Some people may have to start recycling more and use fewer disposable items, so they do not have to store so much garbage.
New grader for public works
Council approved a borrowing bylaw to spread the cost of a new grader over 10 years. The grader will be bought from On Trac for $234,132 including taxes and an extended warranty covering 5000 hours use. Councillors Coyle and McKenny voted against the bylaw. Coyle said, “this is not as we agreed in the budget discussions.”
A new Ford Ranger 4x4 truck will be bought from Du Portage Ford for $23,054 including tax, for the Public Works department.
Council approved the purchase of sixty packs of calcium for $29,936 plus tax, and a budget of $15,000 for culverts.
Council also approved the purchase of 600 carbide teeth for the grader blade for $12,090 plus tax, and to allow the public works director to rent a grader during emergencies or when a municipal grader is being repaired, for up to $3000.
Pontiac bicycle path
David Massé has been hired as coordinator of the Pontiac bicycle path for a minimum of one year. He is from the consultancy Conception plein air. His office will be in the fire hall at Breckenridge. He will be paid with funds totalling $55,000 from the CLD, MRC and CRÉO, including $7000 to $8000 from the municipality.
Other matters
Bills for $50,865 and fixed expenses of $26,662 up to March 29 were approved.
The 2006 financial statements were tabled, showing a net surplus of $229,574 after spending $4,680,549. Overall there was a deficit of $82,818.
Councillor Jean Amyotte’s name was added to the list of those who can perform weddings in the municipality.
A meter to measure specific turbidity will be purchased for Quyon’s water system, for $1408 plus tax.
Bill Twolan is authorized to remove small trees from municipal ditches in uninhabited areas.
Reminders
The municipality administers the Kelly Fund, set up by Eddie Kelly, to supply equipment such as wheelchairs and hospital beds to residents in need. Contact the municipality at 819-455-2401 for more information.
The annual duck race in aid of the Shawville hospital will be held in Quyon on 20 May at 2 pm..