Pontiac Council – staffing changes and planning

Mo Laidlaw

The monthly council meeting was held on May 14 at the Breckenridge community hall at 7:30 pm. A few residents were present. 

Nicole Gibeault, a neighbour of 217 ch Cedarvale, spoke at length about the proposed resolution to have DWB consultants carry out a structural audit of that property. “It is a slum, filthy and full of animals, it needs to be demolished. The structure is irrelevant.” (Rough translation). She has been complaining about #217 for seven years. 

Councillor Laforest, proposed that resolutions 8.1 to 8.16 concerning planning and zoning including four new bylaws be removed from the agenda. This was passed by 4:3 with Mayor Larose and Councillors Amyotte and Allen voting against. Laforest stated that there is a breach of trust between some councillors and the Planning department.

Administration 

Robert Erwin Transport Inc was charged twice for sandpit extraction in 2022. $43,280 will be reimbursed, less $20,459 to cover payments due for 2023.

Mike McKenny is appointed as committee administrator of Mohr’s landing Quyon Port Authority following Councillor McCann’s withdrawal due to lack of time.

Bell recommends that the Town Hall telephone system is upgraded to Bell Fibe. Microrama recommends upgrading the internet system at the same time (from Pioneer Wireless, a Pontiac company). This will cost $80.43 per month including taxes. This was accepted.

The Fabrique St-Dominique has asked the municipality to take over the church and presbytery in Luskville. The mayor and Councillors Dagenais and Allen will work on an agreement with Fabrique representatives.

Public works and fire department

The Director is authorized to bid up to $30,000 for six containers and $30,000 for a “Chagnon roll-off trailer” to be used for moving containers at the eco-centre, at Ritchie Bros auctions.

Five roads were added to the draft bylaw on maintenance of tolerance roads.

A snow removal contract has added 0.75 km: chs Destrier, Butte and Laurentides. The contractor will be paid the additional amount of $3,995 for last winter.

An agreement to provide certain fire protection  services with La Pêche was accepted.

Recreation and culture

A short film ‘Les enfants ont peur” will be filmed at the Notre-Dame-de-la-Joie school in Luskville. $2,000 will be contributed to this project.

A “Slush machine” and syrups will be bought for the Country music festival and day camp, for $1,949, cheaper in the long term than renting. 

Staff changes

A day labourer and a voluntary firefighter were hired.

Three employees resigned and were thanked for their service. 

Four employees were terminated including two voluntary firefighters..