Pontiac council report - fire department heats up
Mo Laidlaw
The council meeting of 9 March 2010 was attended by only 15 residents.
Public input - subdivision raises concerns
Linda Brand and Daniel Huard raised questions about the effect of the new residential development next to both their properties in Heyworth, where bulldozing has started. Ms. Brand is concerned about poor drainage along chemin Pères-Dominicains, because the ditch ends at her property. In January 2005 council agreed to fix this, but nothing has been done.
M. Huard was concerned about the bulldozed road crossing a wetland, and destroying a beaver dam. He wanted to know if the drainage plan ensured that his pastures would not be contaminated with grey water, pesticides, or salt in run-off from the new road and houses, and who would be responsible for a fence between the subdivision and his farm.
Councillor Inès Pontiroli suggested that Ms. Brand and M. Huard meet with her and the public works inspector to look at the ditch problem. Deputy mayor Jean Amyotte stated that the complete plans including drainage and wells may be consulted at the municipal office.
“Overnight” parking fines
Linda Gagné, an employee at Gavan’s Hotel in Quyon, complained that she and others had received parking tickets for parking on the street early in the morning. She parked at 5:20 am when she arrived for work. Apparently street parking is "not allowed anywhere in Québec between 11 pm and 7 am from 15 November to 1 April.” (This does not apply in Montréal to my knowledge). Since there hasn’t been any snow for several weeks, her car was not obstructing snow-clearing. It was suggested to council that a reminder to residents should be put in the bulletin before next winter.
Trouble in the fire department.
Tom Howard is suspended from his position of fire chief until council is “convinced of his ability to manage the department.” Guy Marcotte, the deputy chief, is named “interim fire chief.” (This writer has heard that many of the most qualified volunteer firefighters will leave if Tom Howard is no longer chief.)
Planning and zoning
The municipality had 120 days to give its input to the MRC des Collines on the revisions to the Schema d’aménagement (Master plan) passed by the mayors on October 15, 2009. Council requests an English version of the document and a further delay so that they can study the document, bearing in mind the recommendations of the planning committee (CCU).
Council supports a request to the CPTAQ by Ngoc Tuyen Dang, to build a house on farmland at 4853 River road, replacing a cottage demolished in 2006.
Vidéotron has Industry Canada’s support to build an 82 metre telecommunications tower at 160 Braun road.
Provincial affairs
The ministry of Transport will be asked to check levels of the ditches between numbers 1988 and 2024 route 148, where water is not draining.
Council approved a resolution attesting that a preliminary study has been carried out for the bicycle path along the highway 148 for $81,529, to receive grants of $40,764 divided equally between the program for government help to develop the Route verte, and the Politique sur le vélo.
Money matters
Bills for $118,157 and fixed expenses of $343,529 for February were approved.
At a special meeting on 2 February, council passed a resolution to buy the Quyon Mill property at 5 Egan street, for $80,000, subject to negotiations. Director Sylvain Bertrand remarked that this will prevent the mill being demolished (it is a historic industrial building). Part of this property had to be purchased for the new bridge.
Amounts approved on 9 March:
John A. Burnett Ltd.: Hay chopper $7,900; Chipper $7,320; Sweeper $6,000; Tractor $58,999; for a total of $86,643.04 with tax.
Mont Bleu Ford: $40,161 for a 2 WD Ford F–350 truck, including tax.
Constructions & Expertise P.G.: $27,850 to correct banking of curves of various roads.
Quyon Sports and Recreation: $20,000.
David Massé (Conception plein air)’s contract to deal with the bicycle path, is renewed for 2010 at the rate of $35/hr. plus $0.40/km.
Les Blés d’Or de Luskville: $1,500.