Pontiac council report - consultation on 82m high tower, fire chief reinstated
Mo Laidlaw
There was standing room only for the public at the council meeting of 11 May 2010, held at the Breckenridge fire station,with over 30 residents attending.
Public input - 82 m tower on Braun road
A large contingent of residents had concerns about the 82m high telecommunications tower that Vidéotron wants to erect on Jochen Braun’s property. Council passed a resolution in September 2009 supporting the request to the CPTAQ (Commission to protect farm land) to allow the tower, citing that the MRC police, the fire service and local internet provider Pioneer wireless would be allowed to use the tower for their antennas at no cost. At the same meeting council exempted Industry Canada from holding a public consultation by 5 votes to 3, Mayor Eddie McCann and councillors Dagenais and Middlemiss voting against.
James Riordan and others wanted to know why. “Why no public consultation? What other sites had been considered? Would council reverse their decision on a public consultation?” Kelvin Prosyk suggested that the light on top of the tower would kill birds, and the proposed site is right next to a nature reserve that is reintroducing rare birds. Jane Dowell-Swan was also concerned about the strobe light on the top affecting her children’s sleep.
Mr McCann apologized that residents were not notified. Other sites were proposed to Vidéotron (and earlier to Rogers), including the town hall, but the area required for coverage is between Elm and Braun roads. Council passed a resolution asking Vidéotron to ask Industry Canada to hold a public consultation.
Paving chemin Braun
Wayne Harris asked about the proposal to pave Braun road. “It’s a muddy mess, people can’t walk on it or push strollers. All the municipality does is add material. We filled in a questionnaire and then heard nothing.”
Mr McCann said, “Talk to Brian.” Councillor Middlemiss explained that nothing had moved because of the election last November, and he was waiting for information from the director-general. Mr McCann said it is the councillor’s responsibility to move this forward and suggested a meeting for 20 May for Braun road residents to learn about cost-sharing and estimated costs. He stated that the first half-kilometre stretch needs major work before paving can be carried out.
Paving chemin du Marquis
Gilles Gagnon and Sylvie Carpentier asked about when they could expect du Marquis to be paved. Councillor Amyotte explained that the junction with highway 148 will be altered when the highway is widened (soon) and so paving du Marquis will be delayed, but a meeting to discuss cost-sharing will be arranged.
Town hall extension
Debbie Cloutier wanted clarification on several rumours she had heard. Mr McCann said that the town hall extension (now under construction) is less costly than building a completely new building. Council has no plans to rent offices at the Luskville shopping centre, but the CSSS is interested in finding a place for a medical clinic, perhaps there. The municipality is not overstaffed. Any future extension of the fire hall could have doors at the back and front to make access easier for fire trucks.
Bill Twolan had asked for copies of the plans, building permit and septic installation study for the town hall extension, to be told that some of his requested documents do not exist. He referred to the original building as a “shack.” Mr McCann quickly retorted that it is the “town hall, a historic building, not a shack.” Mr McCann repeated, “it would cost twice as much to build a completely new building. The plans are not secret, come on Monday when the d-g is back from holiday.”
Fire chief reinstated
Council passed a resolution to end the suspension with pay of the fire chief, provided he signs a contract and an agreement to obey the rules of conduct for municipal employees, by 4 votes to 3. Councillor Larose said “He should be on probation, why are we giving him a contract?” and along with councillors Coyle and Amyotte voted against.
The dump
Barry Marfleet suggested that the municipality should have transfer stations for construction materials and tires and “green stuff” to avoid dumping on local roads such as Cedarvale. “The dump is half way to North Bay,” he complained. Mr McCann replied that unfortunately the problem may get worse when the dump closes.
The municipality may be forced to “close the hole very soon,” he said. All MRC des Collines and MRC Pontiac in-trench dumps will be closed. Raymond Bélisle will be asked to dig 75-100 feet of trench instead of 200 feet. Councillor Coyle said “the dump is receiving ten times the normal amount at the moment and we’ll fill it.”
A resolution was passed to construct a cement block wall for shipping containers for sorted garbage, (an Ecocentre at the dump site) to be available when the dump closes, at a cost of about $25,000.
Money matters
Bills for $36,160 and fixed expenses of $353,852 for April were approved.
$4 million worth of building permits were issued in April.
$1200 to Hélène My (HMy Design) to produce a business directory.
$750 to Quyon Ensemble for grounds maintenance of the fair grounds.
A new bylaw on tolerance roads was passed at a special meeting on 27 April, which allows new road associations to ask for funds as soon as they are recognized instead of having to wait for the next budget.