Pontiac council report - Paving cost over budget
Mo Laidlaw
More than 20 residents were at the July 10, 2007 council meeting.
Paving - expect delay
Carol Hager and Jean-Louis Parizeau had questions about the “nonappearance of paving”. Mayor Eddie McCann explained that paving tenders were over $600,000 higher than budgeted, due to costs of preparation work. For example for Maple Lane, the budget was $132,000, but preparation work alone is expected to cost over $100,000, with the total being $250,000.
Council rejected the bids received, so some roads will have to be removed from the list, or distances reduced to fit the budget. The borrowing bylaw will have to be amended to comply with the new list, and Municipal Affairs has to approve the new bylaw, which may take two months.
Meanwhile two of the municipality’s three graders are on the road and busy roads are graded weekly.
A Ford F550 4x4 truck will be purchased for the road department from Carle Ford for a total of $70,000, paid over four years.
Fire department
The fire department was called out eight times in June. Tenders to install dry-hydrants at Farrel/Lac-des-Loups and at Mohr/River will be requested, to improve fire fighting ability in these areas. (A dry-hydrant is an underground tank storing over 36,000 L water.)
Cedarvale development
William Spekkens and Ms E. Goyette, representing partners owning 10 acres on Cedarvale, asked for clarification about a proposed zoning change that will require lots larger than 3700 sq. m. Mr McCann explained that this is to protect the water supply and septic systems, and prevent overloading drainage. Both Mr McCann and Councillor Jim Coyle encouraged the partners to submit their plans immediately so the file will be considered under the old bylaw.
Protection of farmland
In June the CPTAQ turned down two requests to build residences with no link to farming on land in the farm zone, one SW of 6th Concession and Wiggins, the other NE of 6th Concession and Cochrane.
Other matters
Bills for $32,552 and fixed expenses of $266,284 for June were approved.
The docks in Quyon need repairs. It is proposed to move them slightly to the east. The director-general is asked to identify any required permits for this work.
The Toponymy Commission will be asked to approve the name Parc Omkar for the park at 44 Lavigne, Breckenridge, in memory of Mr Omkar.
Alain Larose purchased three surplus municipal trucks and three pieces of equipment including a snow bucket for a total of $5075, being the only tenders received.