Pontiac council report - police don’t come
Mo Laidlaw
About 30 citizens were at the September 11, 2007 council meeting, presided by Deputy mayor Garry Dagenais as Mayor Eddie McCann was absent.
Two residents of River Road thanked council for the “lovely paving.” Rita Van Waard was disappointed that the paving ends just short of her property so speeding cars still produce dust and flying gravel, and hopes that calcium will be spread without umpteen reminders. Carl Hager agreed, saying that another 300 m of paving would have covered most people. He suggested also that cars approach the turn where Cochrane meets River so fast that they have to cut the corner and there will likely be a head-on-collision. “Put speed bumps before the curve and pave the curve wider”.
Dwayne Mosley complained about loose gravel following pre-paving work on Maple, as well as trucks from the Bellevue site illegally using Marquis and Maple (a non-truck route) to reach Cook and not stopping at stop signs. The police were called but did not come. He was also upset because only one of his two garbage cans is picked up.
Jean-Claude Carisse thanked Councillor Raymond Gougeon for attending the beach association meeting. The MRC police will not come to deal with speed problems on private roads he said. As usual he asked about inspectors for septic tanks and bylaw enforcement, and director-general Sylvain Bertrand was able to inform the public that two new well qualified employees have started work.
Disgruntled fire fighters
David Scully asked about the long-awaited training for fire fighters. Councillor Jim Coyle explained that $60 to $80,000 would be saved by using La Pêche's trainer. “Delays were caused because the course was only available in French until recently. We haven’t been dragging our feet.” Mr Scully then asked about the new pumper truck. The 2007 budget allowed for two ($600,000), as specified in the fire plan. Mr Coyle said that one will be bought this year, and a second one in 2010, which apparently complies with the law. Stéphane Tremblay said: “life has no price”, to which Councillor Jean Amyotte replied “I agree with you completely.”
Snow plowing contracts
Four year contracts are awarded to the following: sector A, Pierre Joanisse, $32,200; sector E, Jason Hynes, $318,472; sidewalks in Quyon, Breckenridge Contracting, $46,840; plus taxes in all cases.
Other matters
Guylaine La Salle asked about the mix up on www.Canada411, with some residents in the municipality of Pontiac being listed with Shawville addresses. Council passed a resolution to ask Bell Canada and Canada Post to correct the data that they send to Canada411.
Raymond Bélisle was awarded the contract to clean up 338 Lelièvre for $3,988, which will be charged to the owner’s property tax bill. Councillors were concerned that only one bid was received, so the resolution only passed by 4:3.
Council passed a resolution asking the SAAQ to recalculate fee increases for motorcyclists due on January 1, 2008 because of the short season and the importance for tourism of motorbike riders.
Tenders will be requested for drainage work on de la Rivière. A study on drainage on Marquis will be undertaken.
Building permits for 5 new houses and 9 renovations were among those issued in August.
The CPTAQ ruled that Bill Twolan must cease welding cars or anything other than farm equipment at his shop situated in the agricultural zone.
Bills for $266 882 and fixed expenses of $130,242 for August were approved.
The next regular meeting will be on 9 October at 8 pm.
Previous reports are now archived at: http://www.heritagepontiac.ca
molaidlaw@videotron.ca