Mo Laidlaw
MUNICIPALITY OF PONTIAC – Twelve people attended the municipality’s regular council meeting, August 12, at the Community Centre in Quyon.
Mo Laidlaw
MUNICIPALITY OF PONTIAC – Twelve people attended the municipality’s regular council meeting, August 12, at the Community Centre in Quyon.
Sue Birt asked for help cleaning up her neighbourhood where nuisance complaints have been reoccurring since 2007. Work is currently being carried out on the river bank, but it’s unclear whether the Ministry of Environment or municipality is aware. The MoE appears to wait until work is complete before inspecting. Mayor Roger Larose indicated no one has permission to work outside their property lines, on the waterfront.
Debbie Cloutier-Tremblay raised an issue about signs along Highway 148 that indicate the distance to the municipality’s centre point or town hall after entering municipal boundaries. “I’m concerned about André Fortin’s ability to do things,” she added.
Rick Knox asked about follow-ups of residents parking heavy equipment on lots where it is not allowed. “Other operations are popping up. Is the municipality looking after it? What priority does it have? Does the municipality have the ability to enforce its bylaws?.” Larose said he takes these files seriously; “We will be stricter next year, following the bylaw.”
The bylaw restricting the use of drinking water was also discussed and only applies to users of the municipal water system in Quyon. Hand watering is permitted anytime, but using sprinklers or soaker hoses is limited to from 8 PM – 11 PM on even dates for even numbered addresses, and odd dates for odd-numbered addresses. Automatic watering systems can only be used between 3 AM and 6 AM on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays and watering new lawns, newly planted trees, and shrubs is allowed during the day of planting and for 15 days following between 8 PM and 11 PM. Filling existing swimming pools is not allowed between 6 AM and 8 PM. Decorative fountains must re-circulate water.
If there is a drought, a water main break, or it’s necessary to fill a municipal reservoir, watering, except by hand, can be forbidden. Fines will be issued for contravening this bylaw, varying from $100 to $1000 plus costs.
The following were approved since the last regular meeting: invoices for July amounting to $47,796; fixed expenses of $333,628; incurred expenses for August of $4,919; $24,684.65 to Jason Hynes Construction Inc to repair Maple Road; $10,000 maximum to hire temporary staff; and $9,395 less costs of compaction tests to Raymond Bélisle to replace a culvert on River Road.
A maximum of $2,500 was approved for required compaction tests on River and Proven roads; $5,000 to CDE Pontiac for planning and development activities for Parc du Sault-des-Chats; $3,960 plus taxes to hire a temporary administration, management and support employee for 15 hours a week, for 8 weeks, at $33 per hour; $3,500 to register the mayor and interim director general at the Fédération Québécoise des Municipalités congress; and $600 to buy various items for Fire Service cadets.
