Mo Laidlaw
MUNICIPALITY OF PONTIAC – About 12 residents attended the regular council meeting, September 11 at the Luskville Community Centre, addressing public concerns, amending bylaws and approving expenses.
Mo Laidlaw
MUNICIPALITY OF PONTIAC – About 12 residents attended the regular council meeting, September 11 at the Luskville Community Centre, addressing public concerns, amending bylaws and approving expenses.
Another property, 67 Bord de l’Eau Road will be sold to the municipality for $1, with the owner accepting the Public Safety Ministry’s payment for properties affected by the 2017 spring floods.
—– Public input
Katherine Telfer and Anne Brulé asked about speeding on Clarendon West Road in Quyon, which has no sidewalks, houses close to the road, a school zone and an increase in heavy truck traffic to and from the ferry. Mayor Joanne Labadie said she is aware of the problem; bollards and digital speed signs have been ordered and MRC police presence was requested. Clarendon East and Murray roads were suggested as a truck route from the ferry to Highway 148, where fewer residences would be affected.
Jean-François Aumont questioned why he cannot park heavy vehicles on his property at 1656 Highway 148 (agricultural zone), a case that is currently before the court, while others are not pursued by the municipality. Labadie replied that bylaw infractions are confidential, so he would not know about others. Council later supported Aumont’s request to the CPTAQ for a business office on his property, but did not allow heavy truck parking.
Pamela Gélinas remarked on negative comments she hears about municipal staff. Labadie explained that communication is key, and resolving problems quickly would help, but noted there are many challenges, for example, the repair of Alary Road. A consultant will be hired to assess the administration to identify gaps and required skills. “There’s a shortage of people with municipal expertise, so it’s a struggle to fill positions. We must invest in the careers of employees,” said Labadie.
——- Bylaws
The bylaw on the functioning of the planning committee (CCU) will be modified to increase the number of members to improve the likelihood of reaching quorum. This passed the first reading.
The MRC has modified the standard for shorelines, to a setback of 15 m from the high water line. Council passed the first reading of a bylaw to reduce this to 10 m within Pontiac, unless the slope is more than 30%.
The bylaw to change the zoning of private residences within Gatineau Park to allow modifications to existing buildings passed its second reading.
—– Expenses
The following were approved: $702,371 to Nugent Construction for a four year snow plowing contract for sector B; Gauvreau Terre de surface, $612,394 to replace the culvert on Alary Road, conditional on approval by the Ministry of Public Security’s contribution; a maximum of $25,000 to buy material to connect the community centre in Quyon to the water and sewage systems; JR Brisson, $18,971 to rent a shovel for culvert repairs for three months; $36/hour for a max of 180 hours to Sahagun Huerta to coordinate the community centre project; and $11.20/ton to Lamarrche McGuinty to supply and deliver stone for drainage work on Kawartha Road.
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