Allyson Beauregard
CAMPBELL’S BAY – The 18 MRC Pontiac mayors met at the MRC building, August 15, following the summer break. The agenda was lighter than usual and the meeting lasted less than an hour. Before beginning, a moment of silence was held in honour of Bryan Murray, former Ottawa Senators General Manager.
Road work
Allyson Beauregard
CAMPBELL’S BAY – The 18 MRC Pontiac mayors met at the MRC building, August 15, following the summer break. The agenda was lighter than usual and the meeting lasted less than an hour. Before beginning, a moment of silence was held in honour of Bryan Murray, former Ottawa Senators General Manager.
Road work
Regent Dugas, MRC Director of Territory, informed council that the government approved funding for work on five bridges and culverts in the TNO, representing about a $500,000 investment; the MRC’s contribution is about $100,000. Dugas said the projects will be going to tender soon.
Council also approved the local road infrastructure intervention plan presented by the CIMA+ firm in June. CIMA+ did an in-depth study of the area’s roads, specified those needing work, and identified priorities. The intervention plan allows municipalities to apply for government funding for road work through one of two programs, which funds projects 50-90% depending on whether the work is deemed a priority and if the municipality is considered ‘devitalized’.
The plan will now be sent to the Ministry of Transport for approval. With the November deadline for 2018 road work submissions quickly approaching, Warden Raymond Durocher said he will be pressuring the Ministry to accept the intervention plan within a few weeks rather than the normal six weeks. Municipalities are not obligated to complete the work recommended in the intervention plan.
Local investments
The MRC’s mid-year report on local investments showed that since January 2017, $257,525 has been invested in the agriculture, agri-food, tourism, and social-community sectors: $84,050 was given to non-profit organizations and businesses through the Fonds Développement Territorial (FDT) fund; and $173,475 was given in the form of loans from the FLI-FLS fund. As well, $2,250 was given as donations and sponsorships.
The next council meeting will be held September 19.
