Notes on the Council Meeting held 18 November, 2025
Questions from the public (for issues not on the agenda)
Alain Brunet: Comment and question that the town drainage should be a priority since many culverts are blocked and result in inundations. He expressed the desire that the town should take on this responsibility. Mr Brunet also commented on the great job on Morgan where the sides of the road were dug up and gravel was filled in. He asked if they would consider doing the same on Churchill. He also added that Public Works had done a very fast job in fixing dangerous pothole that he had photographed and sent to them. He was willing to send more pictures for dangerous potholes.
Mayor Ektvedt responded that keeping culverts clean are the citizens responsibility however the town will continue with the checking of certain areas to ensure that there is no blockage.
Director General also added that for paving the town had an engineering report that classified the roads to be redone based on certain criteria including their condition on and below-ground. Next year the rest of Morgan will be done and an amount for paving will be included in the PTI.
Nancy Mersereau: Question on long-term construction debris left after construction appears to have been finished. Is there a time limit to clean up?
Mayor Ektvedt responded that the first step is to contact Urban Planning who also have the information about the deadline for a construction permit.
Hugh Upton: Maxwell Residence Chair of Residents Council. Many of Maxwell residents walk using the sidewalk to the shopping centre. The state of the sidewalk is extremely dangerous and even more so considering that the majority of the users of this sidewalk have mobility issues. Question and request: can the town include in the 2026 budget the re-doing (not just repair) of the sidewalk in order to make it safe?
Mayor Ektvedt responded that Public Works management view the council meeting from home and will follow up with the DG and add it to the budget discussion.
Nancy Mersereau: will there be a special branch pickup? Answer yes.
Brian Manning: the question was asked as to how many citizens were fined for a non-conforming septic tank. Reference was made to a $7,000 fine and the fact that the incumbent also had legal expenses. He raised the question as to how Administration staff used non-confirming septic systems (Public works, Urban planning) while sending a fine to a citizen.
Mayor Ektvedt responded that for public installations (town) they could only replace the existing septic systems once the Ministry of the Environment approved it. It has not yet been approved; however, it is in the town plan and PTI. Residential septic systems do not fall under the same laws as the public ones (that require special approval). Provincial laws dictate the residential septic systems and the municipalities are responsible for enforcement.
Tenant on 53 Shaw: the incumbent stated that her uncle owned the property and that they were not aware of the need to replace the septic tank. After the emptying of the tank, they had no information that the system was not functional or not conform. Soil samples were taken and normally a notification of the next steps should have been sent. The letters sent were apparently not received and the large fine they received led them to take a lawyer and go to court. Mayor Ektvedt indicated the fine is addressed to the owner and not the tenant (in this case the owner lives in St-Bruno). Director General indicated that the file had gone to court, a settlement had taken place between the parties, and that files end up in court for a reason. Notices had been sent to the owner. Court cases are confidential and not discussed in public.
Eric Arsenault: The REM was going to reach l’Anse-à-l’Orme soon. What facilities to get to the station from Baie-d’Urfé via the Industrial Park is available?
Mayor Ektvedt responded that the STM has a bus route from the Industrial Park to the REM in 2026 and that the town plans on redoing the road leading from the tracks to the Industrial Park. The road is for pedestrians, cyclists and emergency vehicles only.
SPVM Report – none.
Councillors’ Reports
Councillor Pagé expressed his gratitude for having been elected and indicated that he now has a councillor email.
Councillor Brown: gave the report for Baie-D’Urfé Rescue Squad/Sauvetage who had worked 547 volunteer hours in October and beginning of November. The annual generator repair had a good turnout of 20 residents (versus 11 last year). They provided 1s aid presence for the Lester Pearson 1,200 students at the Morgan Arboretum, as well as the safety presence for the Halloween event which had 150 visitors and 2 friendly dinosaurs. They participated in the annual Remembrance Day celebrations and organized the amazing Oyster Party fundraiser. They also participated in 2 missing person’s searches in St-Jerome.
Mayor’s Report
Mayor Ektvedt welcomed the new council and thanked the Director General and his staff for all the preparation and briefing for the new council.
The budget packages had been distributed for discussions including the PTI (capital expenditure plan).
The local business of Nulook (who were instrumental for the furniture and office environment of the Town Hall) celebrated 25 years already. The Lakeshore Hospital Ball raised $1.6M which is essential to supporting this hospital for the West Island.
In October the Morgan Arboretum celebrated its 80th anniversary. Citizens are reminded that the Town subsidizes citizen membership by paying 30%.
The demerged cities will have 7 out of 15 new mayors, 5 are returning (acclaimed) and 3 re-elected. A meeting is organized for this new group.
Director General – none
Correspondence
Letter by Joe Kranitz requesting that there be a parade to support doctors who are targeted by Bill 2. Mayor Ektvedt applauded and supported this initiative. Although the town’s mandate is to focus on local municipal affairs, it was recommended that interested citizens contact the Citizens Association to see if there is an interest in a mobilization. During the meeting with the other mayors, this can be discussed to evaluate what other municipalities want to do.
Administration
Approval of council’s directions and decisions by Mayor and acting Mayor to the Montreal Agglomeration Council.
Appointment of Acting Mayor (T. Brown and B. Chartrand in 2025, the list can be found on the town website).
Adoption of the calendar of regular council meetings: second Tuesday of each month.
The statement of pecuniary interests of council members was filed.
Finance
Approval of expenses of $1,069,166.
Parks Recreation and Environment– none
Public Security and Traffic – none
Public Works and Town Infrastructures
Approval of $42,877 for the rehabilitation of the outlet Wilson Place emissary.
Approval $55,188 electrical work Red Barn community center.
Acquisition of servitude for Wilson Place emissary.
Presentation of TECQ 2024-2028 work plan.
Submission of report on the management of drinking water 2024.
Town Planning
The draft bylaw 1117 constituting the TPAC was tabled.
Citizen Services and Community Affairs
Subsidies to organizations approved:
Citizen Association Baie-D’Urfé – 300 $
Library Baie-D’Urfé – 500 $
Rescue/Sauvetage Baie-D’Urfé – 1 225 $
Volunteer citizens on patrol Baie-D’Urfé – 1 225 $
Fritz Garden – 500 $
Auxiliary Coast Guard – Unit 05-08 – 500 $
Excellence support program approved:
Moira Serniuk 2025 Levis Horse Show, 200 $
Amendment to the donation in memory of Mary Gruber. The recipient of the donation will be the Jewish General hospital, oncology services.
Question Period (for items on the agenda)
Karin Gebert asked why the item I.1 adoption of bylaw 1106 on pesticides had been skipped. It was explained that this item would be deferred to January council meeting so that the new councillors could have the time to study the bylaw and attend a presentation by the Administration relative to this bylaw.
Alain Brunet raised the point that people should know about the generator that was installed for the Red Barn, allowing it to serve as an emergency shelter for longer power outages. He also asked if Councillors will have particular mandates assigned to them. Mayor Ektvedt indicated that this had been tried and that since all topics were discussed among all councillors, this approach would not be taken.
Eric Arsenault commented on the fact that emergency shelter was now available was very positive and should be publicized. He also asked about the Rescue Squad operating in St-Jerome. Councillor Brown explained that they were part of the AQPRS mandate (QC) and therefore participated in other rescues than just local ones.
The meeting was adjourned.