Pontiac Council Report: A private road problem persists
Mo Laidlaw
The newly hired Assistant Director General, Louis-Alexandre Monast was introduced by Mayor Roger Larose at the March 14 Pontiac council meeting in Luskville. He was present along with Councillors and acting Director general Mario Allen.
Ten members of the public attended. Half of them were concerned with maintenance of ch Bélisle/ch Bord de l’Eau. Residents had signed up for maintenance under the new private road bylaw. A load of gravel was provided by Robert Erwin Transport, which the municipality said would be residents’ responsibility. The mayor refuses to allow the grader to smooth out a small section of the road, as winter maintenance is not included. “The grader can pass in July,” he said, “We can’t fix Bélisle or everyone will want their roads fixed.”
The municipality owns about half (18) of all the properties on ch Bord de l’Eau, acquired following the floods of 2017 and 2019, unlike other private roads. Nine lots belong to owners with Gatineau or Ottawa addresses. Perhaps a quarter of owners need access year round. Should the municipality pay for half of the maintenance not covered by the bylaw?
The road owner (Councillor Laforest’s wife), doesn’t want to municipalize (which would end these arguments) as it goes against her father’s wishes.
Council approved the acquisition of ch Wilmer (off Dubois) as a municipal road, first requested in 2013.
Public Works
The draft umbrella borrowing bylaw for $1 million for equipment for Public works was passed. This will allow the municipality to carry out work at lower cost than contracts. A question from the floor led to extensive discussion with Larose and Laforest, unusual during a council meeting.
The Murray and Clarendon rehab project is postponed because of cost as indicated in the three year capital program.
$94,262 plus tax etc is authorized to buy membranes for the water treatment plant, from Pall Corporation.
The insurance company estimates the cost of repairing damage to the municipal complex following the storm of December 2022, to be $42,000, which they will cover.
The acting DG is authorized to bid up to $2,000 plus fees, for a used fifth wheel, at Les Encans Ritchie Bros on 22-24 March.
Two requests to the CPTAQ to build residences on farmland at 747 ch Pères Dominicains and 142 ch des Trappeurs were approved by council. CPTAQ approval is required before permits are issued.
The following amounts for financial support of local organizations were approved:
Blé d’Or et amis de Pontiac – $1,500;
Cercle socio-culturel – $1,000;
Club de sacs de sable – $500;
CHAL (CHAP, Centre Habitation des Aînées de Pontiac, a proposed seniors’ residence) – $2,000;
Lionettes – $500;
Friends of Chats Falls – $1,500;
Quyon Community Association – $6,000;
Table Autonome des Ainées des Collines – $7,750;
Centre Kogaluk – $5,000.
Mo’s reports: www.heritagepontiac.ca/Municipality
Municipal website: www.municipalitepontiac.com
