Pontiac council report - Incinerator better than Danford dump
Mo Laidlaw
Over 20 members of the public attended the council meeting held on 10 February 2009.
Public input
Jean-Claude Carisse asked about the high temperature incinerator project (Vertical Vortex Oxidizer). Mayor Eddie McCann explained that Pontiac has formed an association with Shawville and Clarendon, and has a potential site near Quyon for an incinerator to transform waste to energy. Council resolved to request the Minister of Environment to consider high temperature incineration as a viable alternative to the Danford Lake project, to replace illegal trench landfills.
Guy Bilodeau asked when the sewage system in Quyon will be able to handle waste from holding tanks and septic tank sludge. The costs of emptying and disposal have greatly increased. Mr McCann said that a third tank will soon be added to the Quyon system to deal with this waste. Sylvain Bertrand, the director-general, explained that the municipality has not yet decided how to run an emptying program, there being several options.
New committee members
One change has been made to the committees announced last month: Public works (municipal buildings, infrastructure and road vehicles): Eddie McCann. In addition it was wrongly reported that councillors Raymond Gougeon and Garry Dagenais were on the Port Authority committee - in fact they are on the CCU (Planning advisory committee), chaired by councillor Jean Amyotte.
Planning
A new by-law was passed by a majority, concerning boarding or raising animals, non-commercially, in residential areas. This applies to rabbits, chickens etc (“small animals”) and goats, sheep, horses etc. To keep 15 “small animals” or one larger animal you need a minimum of 5 acres. Five small animals or one larger animal can be added for each additional 2 acres, for a maximum of 50 small animals or 4 goats, sheep etc.
A majority of council passed an amendment to the zoning bylaw to regulate mobile restaurants. Owners will need a certificate of approval to operate, and are only allowed in specific zones or for special events.
Hélène Bélisle was appointed to the CCU for two years.
The Ministry of Transport will be asked to check culverts crossing route 148 in the Luskville sector (4-lanes) and to make necessary repairs or maintenance to allow good drainage.
Rogers telecommunication tower
Council passed a resolution to notify Rogers Wireless of its opposition to the installation of a telecommunication tower in the Breckenridge sector, as requested by Rogers. Roger Larose later asked for more information. Mr McCann explained that the proposed tower was for cellphones only, not for wireless internet, and located between Braun and Elm roads. He said it would not improve cellphone coverage for residents of McKay for example, rather it would help those in Dunrobin, across the river, as you have to be able to see the top of the tower. The resolution states that a tower would “cause visual prejudice to citizens.” No mention is made of any benefits to citizens from improved cellphone coverage.
Money matters
Bills for $34,928 and fixed expenses of $270,649 for January were approved.
Other amounts approved:
$2,000 for architect Pierre Morimanno to modify the preliminary plans for an extension to the town hall in order to lower costs, by removing the second storey of the building and replacing it with a basement, and changing the requirement to match exterior finishes. Mr Carisse said “I hope that any extension to the town hall will be built to Novoclimat or Renoclimat standars, to save taxpayers future energy costs.”
$1,000 to buy a mattress for the Kelly Fund hospital bed.
$1,000 to pay for expert advice on finding alternatives to the present snowmobile trails on NCC property, which cannot be used next winter.
$319 to C Kidz Kan, as recommended by the recreation committee.
Next regular meeting: 10 March 2009 at 8 pm.
Previous reports are archived at: http://www.heritagepontiac.ca