Pontiac council report -
Mo Laidlaw
About 15 members of the public attended the council meeting on January 15, 2008. Jean-Claude Carisse had questions as usual about septic installation inspections and tolerance roads. He also wanted to know who to call about recycling and garbage pickup, for example if your bin is not emptied: - You should first call Mountainview Turf Farm Ltd. - but you may not get service in French. He also mentioned potholes in the new paving on Damas-Perrier in Luskville.
Guylaine LaSalle reported that the ditches on Marquis were blocked during the recent thaw and rain.
Lower speed limits
A bylaw was passed to reduce the speed limit to 50 km/h on the following municipal roads: Cedarvale, Marquis, Crégheur (1.9 km west from 148), Omkar, Davis, Panorama, Dubois, Pères-Dominicains (west of Papineau), Lavigne, Soulière, Lelièvre, Tremblay (west of Lamoureux), Maple, Terry-Fox (south of 148), Cochrane (south of Clark), River (west to Stanley), De la Montagne (for 2 km from 148). This requires approval from MTQ which may take several months. New signs will be put up.
Following the lead of Bristol, the municipality will ask Charlotte L’Écuyer to increase pressure on MTQ to improve highway 148 to provincial standards.
Fire safety
A bylaw was passed to regulate propane tanks of 100 pounds and up, as required by provincial fire safety rules. Owners of large tanks will have to register with the fire department (at no charge). Properties with large tanks will be identified with yellow stickers on the civic number sign, and a red diamond on the building, visible from the driveway. Propane cylinders used for barbecues and RVs are excluded.
Town planning and zoning
Council voted to carry out a hydro-geological study in Breckenridge south of Braun road, to provide data on the water table, for making informed decisions about water supply and density of any future housing development. Three engineering firms will be invited to tender.
A further amendment to the bylaw on minimum setbacks from provincial roads was given its first reading. This allows a minimum setback of 20 m within 100 m of an intersection with a public road, provided that the building faces the municipal road, and the entrance is from the municipal road, not the provincial road.
Council approved a request by Johanne Poirier and Stéphane Goderre to divide a lot at 60 Av. des Quatres Saisons into three lots.
Drainage for development
André Durocher, the “developer” of the south side of River Road, west of Mohr road, asked council for permission to send water east from the north side ditch directly into Mohr creek. This was accepted in principle. The municipality will carry out the work at M. Durocher’s expense, once he has signed an agreement.
Recreation and culture budget
The amounts recommended by the committee were approved: $13,200 for Quyon RA, $8,800 for Eardley RA and $2000 for Beechgrove RA. Shawville will receive $3450 as a contribution to the arena. A lot surrounded by Davis Park with a right of way to hwy 148 will be purchased for $12,000, and a 1.9 ha (4.7 acre) lot next to the school in Luskville - a site for a cultural centre that may be built in partnership with the school board - will be purchased for $25,000.
Other matters
Bills for $88,042 and fixed expenses of $364,191 for December were approved.
The service agreement with LaPêche was renewed until 2011. This is for Pontiac residents living near Lac Beauclair and Lac des Loups who receive services from LaPêche.
The NCC will be asked to maintain Curley Lake road as set out in Onslow bylaw 148.
A leased 4x4 Ford Ranger that was a total loss following an accident, will be replaced with a similar vehicle.
For 2008, Councillor Jean Amyotte is deputy mayor, and some councillors have new committee assignments (see www.heritagepontiac.ca/committees.htm).