Pontiac council report - new fire truck
Mo Laidlaw
About 20 members of the public attended the regular council meeting held on 11 November 2008.
Judy Ripley of the Lac des Loups Association asked when the small number of properties on Lac des Loups that are in the municipality of Pontiac would have their septic systems inspected, to ensure they are certified as are the neighbouring residences in La Pêche. Mayor Eddie McCann replied that an inspector is being hired and this area will be the first to be studied.
Russell Allen spoke for members of Eardley Rec, explaining that as volunteers they spend long hours running recreation programs. They feel there is a lack of respect from councillors (on the recreation committee), who do not pass on information (such as about Davis Park and the Luskville skating rink), and so have all decided to resign, passing this responsibility to council. Mayor McCann was surprised, not having heard of any problems. Doreen Sigouin said that vandalism is out of control at the ballpark, and the RA has been waiting 18 months for lights. Meanwhile phone calls to the municipality about damage at the park are ignored.
Town Planning
Saravan Properties Inc.’s request to subdivide a 10 ha lot (Des Lilas project in Breckenridge) into 20 residential lots was approved by a majority of council. One of these lots will be given to the municipality as a park.
Bill Twolan’s request to the CPTAQ to change the zoning of 15 ha of farmland at 1656 route 148 was supported by a majority of council. The resolution included a request to the MRC des Collines to support the request, and change its schéma d’aménagement. Despite the even-numbered address this is the parcel of farm land between the highway and the river, immediately north of Elm Road, which Mr Twolan has earlier tried unsuccessfully to re-zone as residential.
Money matters
Bills for $155,816 and fixed expenses of $204,581 for October were approved.
Other amounts approved:
A maximum of $240,000 plus tax for a modified fire truck from Équipement Incendie Levasseur. A borrowing bylaw for $324,000 was passed in December 2007 for this.
$3386 for 2 bunker suits (protective clothing) for firefighters.
$2115 for 2 radios and batteries for firefighters.
$6500 for Fondex-Shermont to carry out the environmental study required for federal grants for the Quyon drinking-water project.
$1200 to buy and install a sign indicating the entrance to the municipal complex at 2024 route 148.
Councillor Gougeon proposed a motion to ask for legal advice on whether the procedure to change ward boundaries was correct. This was defeated by 4:4.