Pontiac council report - better website needed 
Mo Laidlaw
LUSKVILLE
More than 20 people attended the Pontiac council meeting on 13 July 2010.
Public input
Bob Brown suggested that the speed limit should be decreased from 80 km/h on ch de la Baie. From Damas-Perrier west it should be 60 km/h, decreasing to 40 km/h and then to 15 km/h in the beach areas. “We need to protect our children, on foot and bicycles.”
Jean-Claude Carisse reminded council that money was budgeted at the end of May for equipment to clean ditches and cut weeds at intersections, but there is no obvious change in appearance. “Intersections such as Lamoureux/de la Baie are dangerous because uncut weeds make it hard to see. Why announce a deadline if you cannot comply?”
Another resident complained about the lack of grading on his gravel road. “It used to be done every week.” Councillor Roger Larose made some comments about the replacement operator, leading Councillor Inès Pontiroli to suggest that these remarks should be made to the individual in question, not in public.
Shared septic systems
Lyne Gauthier wanted to know about regulations on septic systems for small lots. It has been suggested her family share a tile field with their neighbour. Mayor Eddie McCann stated that it is common for neighbours with small lots to share a septic tile field, to avoid the need for a holding tank and frequent pump-outs. They should see a notary to get a servitude to make sure that any agreement continues even if lots change hands.
A resident reported that liquid is flowing into the Quyon River from the Quyon Mill foundations, with a nauseating smell, like sewage. He has been told that this tested positive for coliforms. The municipality will look into this.
Cedarvale road
Barrie Marfleet asked about paving Cedarvale. The mayor said “There are summer delays due to holidays, and approval from the province is required. The tender will go out at the earliest in August. Paving will be done this year.” Mr Marfleet also was concerned that there is no after-hours or emergency phone number at the municipal offices, and most of the website has not been updated for 3 years: “This is how we communicate these days.” 
Ms Pontiroli explained that as the councillor responsible for communication, she is working on the website and has a budget of $25,000. “The big issue is how to manage the content.”
William Spekkens thanked council and staff for a job well done over the last three years to enable the subdivision of his family cottage property into 5 lots, (4 waterfront) in which an easement was given for a drainage ditch to carry water from ch Cedarvale to the river, that previously flowed onto the property. He will no longer be making the 240 km round-trip to council meetings from Chute-à-Blondeau, Ontario.
Get your permit before starting a project 
Richard Larose complained that the requirement for a building permit, and the rule that a swimming pool cannot be in the front yard had cost him a lot of money. He had built a deck and arranged for installation of the pool before obtaining a building permit.
Subdivisions
Pierre Wistaff asked for a cadastre to join 2 lots into one at 52 ch Asaret (Domaine Bellevue) which was approved. The neighbouring subdivision, Domaine des Lilas, asked to renew its subdivision permit, which was approved with Councillor Jean Amyotte voting against, in view of the Fondex report which recommended larger minimum lot sizes, because of the bedrock close to the surface requiring larger distances between septic systems and wells.
Rick Knox and Diane received council approval of their request to the CPTAQ to subdivide a lot on route 148 near ch des Hauts Vents.
Snowmobile trail
Loisir Sport Outaouais asked for a right of way on ch du Lac Curley, Pellerin, and ch du Lac La Pêche roads for a snowmobile trail for the 2010/11 season. The National Capital Commission wants to close this route to snowmobiles. It was suggested that MNA Charlotte L’Écuyer should be asked to support a trail for off-road vehicles along the Eardley-Masham road to replace this one through Gatineau Park, to connect Pontiac and La Pêche. 
Nuisances
One file was sent to the municipal lawyer for action; in another case a taxpayer was ordered to finish siding and remove a trailer.
Money matters
Bills for $129,715 and fixed expenses of $543,249 for June were approved. Councillor Larose flagged one invoice without an RBQ number. “Who authorized this? You can pay it, but I’m going to send it to the Régie (for a fine).” Mayor McCann replied that we have to pay for work carried out, even if there was a mistake in hiring.
Other amounts approved:
$20,000 for 2010 contribution to TransporAction, which is based on the size of the municipality.
$6,000 for firefighter 1, section 3 training, by CS au Coeur de Vallée.
$5,244 as the municipal share of OMH 2010 budget (social housing).
$1,152 of bad debts written off (total 9 files).
$817 to settle a claim out of court, including fees. A pile of gravel was left on Terry-Fox at Baillie, someone removed a warning sign, and a car was damaged hitting the gravel during a snow storm.
Other business
Mayor McCann mentioned that the dump is still open, but may be closed at any time by the Ministry of the Environment
A study was received comparing Pontiac with other similar sized municipalities: “Indicateurs de gestion 2009, 2009 management indicators.”
Next regular council meeting: Tuesday 10 August 2010 at 8 pm, at the Lions Club in Quyon.