Council – August 2023
These notes are an overview. The meeting and agenda, in its entirety, can be found on the Town website.
2 council members and Mayor were absent from this particular meeting.
Question period – In person:
The first question was to know what action is being taken and if the bylaw regarding pesticides is being enforced.
Answer: There is no way to detect the pesticide, the town needs to catch the company in the act. The town has communicated with companies in the area to let them know it is not permitted in town.
Question 2 was regarding if there is a storm water management plan – higher water volumes this summer have increased the amount of water to manage – is there a plan to have a hydrological study? Other municipalities have water management bylaws. Responded to by the DG: A hydrological study is not currently in the plans. Previous studies were done and have led to repairs on our drainage.
Question 3 was regarding the information booklet from the town on the Septic System Guide, resident wanted to clarify which systems need a maintenance contract.
Responded to by the DG via other questions and by the director general report.
Question 4 was in regards to streetlights not working and while the resident was able to say that the communication was excellent; he wants to know why the administration is not addressing them directly with action?
Response: Lights mentioned in his correspondence have been identified and will be addressed. Council is not happy with the lights overall and that a request was made by council to address it immediately.
Online questions:
The first question: Does the new town process for septic maintenance is now no longer included? Is it the intention of the town to go beyond Provincial law?
Response: No.
Question 2, the resident wanted to know if the explosion of last month from the industrial park was investigated as it matched the same sound that was heard the previous year.
Response: The Town is working closely with the company on an emergency plan. There is no record of an explosion in 2022 and is a mystery as the only reported activity was construction.
Question 3 was in regard to whether small homes of less than 120 square feet to 400 square feet will be allowed.
Answer: no that it is not currently allowed.
Question 4, the resident was asking about drainage on Devon/Victoria following construction.
Answer from DG: The town has attempted to assist in this situation with a 4” pipe, a deeper ditch as dug in an effort to repair the situation- Public Works has been in touch in an effort to regulate the issue. Urban planning to follow up on the issue
SPVM Report:
June/July/August coverage
Patrol was present for traffic infractions. Bike patrol included 2 patrollers and 4 cadets. They participated in BDU days, prevention events, SAFE events and bike safety. No major events with the exception of the fire on July 7th in the industrial park. 5 car thefts were reported throughout the summer. 1 car was recovered and found in the area. You can always get in touch with the local station
Cllr Thompson: 2021-2022, 30% decrease in traffic infractions has been recorded and wanted to know why that might be? The Commandant will investigate this internally.
Mayor Ekvldt not present
Cllr Gruber not present
Cllr Lowensten not present
Cllr Nadia Bissada:
Attended the VCOPs celebration for long serving members and thanks them for their service. She attended the Antique Car Show. She expressed she was happy to see Maxi has now opened. The free library that was at the Provigo is being worked on with our Librarian to recreate it at Maxi.
Cllr Brown:
Does not have a full report and will follow up next month. The Antique Car show has been going on for many years now and had 170 antique cars in attendance. The funds generated will go to NOVA and On Rock. On behalf of Cllr Gruber – 191 hours total for the year to date. On the 14th of July a celebration was held to award 5 and 10 year pins to volunteers on the VCOPs. On the 16th of July the VCOPs assisted with Shakespeare in the park. 1 new member has been inducted.
DG Bouchard:
He addressed the Septic System booklet that has been distributed in the first week of August. The guide covers the different types of systems that exist and the service and maintenance to keep in mind. A conference was held and recorded and can be found on the town website. He covers the three different types of systems in detail and the maintenance and responsibility of homeowners in Baie D’Urfe. They are working on a list of companies that can do an inspection of a septic system.
Correspondance:
The first letter was signed by 15 residents who wished to address maintenance of landscaping and references bylaws currently in place and questions the validity of 3 articles of our bylaws; The bylaw(s) do not allow for our more ecological lawn and property maintenance choices.
Response: Council has tabled the letter and that they are aware of the bylaw and current implications. The letter will be shared with the company who they are working on with the bylaw reform.
The second letter concerns the suspended light rail (REM) and impact on our town.
Response: Cllr Chartrand directed him to the proper channels as it is a larger project than our municipality.
Administration:
They addressed the lack of blue collar workers
Awarding UMQ insurance for Town employees.
Finance:
Roughly $852,000.00 were the expenses for the month, the major expenses were the Red Barn refacing and payments for the Town Hall project.
1043-12 was adopted as an amendment
Parks and Rec
Awarding of contract for Bertold Park, for the landscaping of the park as proposed.
Urban planning
Additional fees were approved for permanent paving on Sunny Acres. Awarding of contract for diesel for the town. Petrol Leger must revise their prices.
Town Planning
The TPAC committee approved the plans for the expansion of a building on Clark Graham.
Citizen services and Affairs
A donation was made on behalf of town employee Mrs Ward.
Second question period:
The resident who was questioning the REM and the efficacy of the placement of stations and why the promise for access to the residential side of town was not kept. He asked that council write a resolution.