Pontiac council report - $324,000 for new fire truck
Mo Laidlaw
About 25 citizens were at the October 9, 2007 council meeting. Councillors McKenny and Amyotte were absent.
Five residents had complaints or questions about the status of previously raised problems to which the answers were “don’t know” because mayor Eddie McCann was not at the September meeting, or because director general Sylvain Bertrand was absent from October’s meeting. Kevin Mansey raised the issue of firefighter training yet again. No clear answer was given as to when this training will be given, although councillor Jim Coyle said that required training would be completed by September 2008, the deadline.
Fire department
A new borrowing bylaw, number 12-07, was passed by a majority of council (4:2) to buy a pumper-tanker truck from Eastway Emergency Vehicles for $324,000 including fees, taxes and contingencies. Councillor Brian Middlemiss voted against the resolution (which cancelled an earlier resolution to buy two vehicles) - Mayor McCann told him he was in conflict of interest and should not vote.
The fire department report for September included two calls for burning without a permit. Both of these involved 12 firefighters for 3 hours. A false alarm involved 16 firefighters for 3 hours. There was also a truck fire.
Ditches
Following an engineering report by Marcel Patry, council agreed that ditches along Marquis should be redone under his supervision.
The ministry of Transport will be asked to clean ditches and culverts at the 148 / Rivière/Smith-Léonard and 148 / Maple intersections.
Ditches along Bradley and Elm will be dug or cleaned for $2000 and $1500 respectively. $10,000 of gravel will be added to Marquis. An additional $10,000 covers transport. These amounts come from the road repair and paving budget, totalling over $3 million.
Mayor McCann expressed concern that drivers are cutting corners at intersections, and breaking the edge of the new paving, as well as risking going into the ditch. The paving and lines should be finished by the end of October.
Future development
Correspondence was received from the ministry of Environment etc (MDDEP) about the former Francis Fuel gas station at 1555 route 148. Apparently the vacant land between Sumac and Lilas that belonged to the Kerrs, and this lot, has been acquired by Industries Brookman, part of the Belmont Properties group that is developing Bellevue Estates at 1521 route 148. The Francis Fuel lot is considered free of contamination for commercial use; the standard is higher for residential property.
Other matters
Groupe Action Jeunesse will be paid $75 per week to manage access to the gymnasium in Luskville.
Bills for $342,044 and fixed expenses of $224,111 for September were approved.
The next regular meeting will be on 13 November at 8 pm.
Previous reports are now archived at: http://www.heritagepontiac.ca
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