Mo Laidlaw
PONTIAC – At least 35 members of the public attended the July 9 Municipality of Pontiac council meeting in the Luskville Community Centre.
Mo Laidlaw
PONTIAC – At least 35 members of the public attended the July 9 Municipality of Pontiac council meeting in the Luskville Community Centre.
Benoit Bussières and Rémi Larose wanted to know if anything can be done to reduce the unpleasant smell of burning and smoke coming from a neighbour’s external stove at all hours of the day and night. Because the fire is contained in a stove it is not against the fire regulations. No one seemed to know if this is already covered by the nuisance bylaw, although Rick Knox, resident, stated that odours are listed as a nuisance, although according to him the bylaw officer does not enforce this. Councillor Larose gave notice that he will add a modification to the nuisance bylaw to cover abusive production of smoke from campfires or other sources.
Knox continues to have problems with noise from his neighbour’s heavy equipment, being stored and operated on a residential lot in the agricultural zone, and suggests also that excavation is being done without a permit.
Joan Belsher said that the nuisance bylaw requires lawns to be a maximum of 15 cm in height, but this doesn’t seem to be enforced. She also asked for an update on progress on the new multipurpose hall to replace the Lions Hall. Mayor Eddie McCann said that according to Charlotte L’Écuyer, MNA, Québec should make a decision on funding in the fall. There is a new set of standards that have to be met to qualify for a grant. If the existing plan is not approved, a modified design may be put forward.
Nancy Maxsom asked whether it is a good idea to spend $40,000 cleaning the mill when there is not yet a proposed use for the building. “Why not demolish the building, sell the land and save this money?” she said. McCann explained it is being cleaned now so that it becomes usable and can be shown to potential tenants. The only offer to clean the mill was from Nettoyage LP Laurin for $40,241.25 including taxes, which was accepted by a majority, with councillors Larose and Middlemiss voting against.
