Mo Laidlaw
MUNICIPALITY OF PONTIAC – About twenty people attended the regular council meeting, November 13 at the Luskville Community Centre.
—- Public input
Mo Laidlaw
MUNICIPALITY OF PONTIAC – About twenty people attended the regular council meeting, November 13 at the Luskville Community Centre.
—- Public input
Sheila McCrindle asked how the budget for compost pick-up could be settled without a cost-benefit analysis. She also clarified that food waste is only 15% of the total “waste stream”; the figure that 40% of garbage is organic matter includes yard waste. Mayor Joanne Labadie explained that council is still talking about composting, no decisions have been made, and no tenders have been issued.
Ms Lamont asked how Pontiac will attract new residents with “our high taxes”. Labadie noted Pontiac has the lowest taxes in the MRC-des-Collines, as well as the lowest debt. However, tax revenue will decrease in 2019 by about $500,000 due to the loss of houses to flooding, fires and the tornado, which is a challenge.
Joan Belsher is concerned about the many contracts issued for outside engineering expertise when the municipality has engineers and technicians on staff. Labadie explained this is partly due to the Ministry of Transport’s requirement for specialized engineers to sign off on highway work, and that if the Director of Public Works was not an engineer, even more outside contracts would be required.
Mike Graveline insisted that repairing Alary Road should have been done by Public Works last year to avoid delay and the ballooning cost, using the existing culvert. Labadie replied that the Ministry of Public Security is paying 75% of the cost and that the repair should cope with future high rainfall events so the road can be a detour route for the next 50 years. Public Works changed 18 culverts this year.
—— Legalization of cannabis
Section 7.16 of the MRC bylaw on maintaining public peace and good order was amended to account for the legalization of cannabis. In addition, a policy was approved on the use of alcohol, cannabis, drugs and prescription medication to ensure a safe workplace for municipal employees.
—- Transcollines
Pontiac will contribute $15,623 for one year to the public bus service from L’Isle-aux-Allumettes to Ottawa and back along Highway 148.
—— New fire stations
Les Services EXP will carry out Geotechnical studies for $21,260 + tax at Murray Road/Hwy 148 for a new Quyon fire hall #3 and at 2024 Hwy 148 for a new Luskville fire hall #2. The existing stations do not meet current safety standards.
A maximum of $26,500 before tax was approved to purchase an ATV, trailer, and tracks for use in emergencies. The Ministry will reimburse $19,000 for Public Security from the $205,000 received to establish a local emergency response team.
