2016 Mayor's Annual report
Presentation
Our community continued successfully to improve services in 2016 while keeping our municipal tax rate among the lowest in our region. I would like to thank our fellow residents for their spirit of cooperation and their communication. I work for you; therefore your input is the most valuable information I have while performing my duties.
Public safety
We hired 2 new volunteer firefighters to fill vacant positions. The firefighters continued their extensive training and practiced regularly in their effort to offer the most professional services. .
Roads and Infrastructure
In 2016, the municipality completed the drainage work on Braemar, Lac Chevreuil and Scott roads, representing 16 km of road. Grant applications to continue the work have been filed with the ministry and we are awaiting answers from them. We hope to be able to continue the work in the spring of 2017. Furthermore, important culverts were replaced on certain roads by our road crew to improve drainage and avoid floods in the spring. An agreement was reached among us, the city of St-Colomban and our provincial MP to improve Laroche road.
The inauguration of our family trails took place in July and the trails have known great success during every season with walking and snowshoe hikes. A 170 meter boardwalk was built to pass over the wetland to allow us to admire it. If you have not yet participated in an organized or individual hike, I highly suggest you do so. Such a beautiful sight! Bravo and thank you to all those who worked on this community project.
We received a land donation from Mr. Denommé. This land, named Denommé Park, will join up with our existing trails.
A municipal boat launch was established at Lake Barron. This boat launch controls access to the lake and prevents contamination from one lake to another. It was much appreciated by residents who were concerned about the health of the lake. Thank you to the Lake Barron Association for their cooperation and collaboration in this project.
Environnement
Following the adoption of By-law 189 regarding the replacement of non-compliant septic systems with a compliant one within a two-year delay; we are happy to announce that many lakefront residents have already replaced their systems. These non-compliant septic systems are older non-polluting systems that need replacing to comply with the provincial and municipal by-laws.
Since the implementation of the Eco-loan program, 22 residents have benefitted from the program and have replaced their septic systems.
In collaboration with the Regional Council for the Environment of the Laurentians and the Argenteuil MRC, studies on invasive plants species were carried out on lakes Dawson, Evans, Caroline and Solar, as well as on other lakes throughout our MRC. We should have the results of these studies in 2017.
Following the survey on navigation activities with Lake Barron residents, we organized a meeting to present the results, to discuss the community orientations as well as the municipal recommendations. This survey and meeting allowed residents to express their concerns and to discuss together the orientations and the solutions.
Community living
At the park, the tennis and basketball courts were well used over the summer months and the ice rink was busy with all sorts of activities over the winter. We purchased pickelball equipment and the rules of the game are available at the municipal park. This activity is practiced on the tennis court.
Following several meetings with our partners and residents, our family and seniors’ policy was unveiled at our volunteers’ appreciation “5 à 7” in June 2016. This policy will help us plan activities, develop housing for our seniors and provide support and security for our families and our seniors.
Besides our Eat & Greet luncheons, workshops on various subjects which interest our seniors were organized and we hope to have our seniors’ lounge completed early on in the New Year. We have also established a book lending program.
The Leisure Committee’s community breakfasts and dinner and dances continue to be very popular.
The other activities and classes at the community center are taking place weekly.
We moved our community garden to the municipal park, near the soccer field, in order to allow more people to benefit from it. We wish to thank the team of volunteers who contributed to the success of this superb project.
Administration
Our strategic vision was unveiled in May 2016 and it is available at the municipal office. This plan allows the municipality to achieve a long-term vision and be ready to reach its objectives.
The municipality and the town planning committee have revised the municipal by-laws and the zoning by-laws to improve and facilitate their implementation. The adoption of these new by-laws should be completed sometime in 2017.
Financial situation
Here is a summary of our financial situation. The municipality’s financial statements for the year ending December 31st 2015 were prepared by the auditors Amyot Gélinas chartered accountants; this report shows an accumulated surplus of $967,327. For 2016 our actual expenses as of September 30th 2016 were $3,121,823 and we estimate that they will amount to $4,060,387 by December 31st 2016. Our actual revenues as of September 30th 2016 were $3,712,084 and we estimate that by December 31st 2016 they will reach a total of $4,085,187; therefore a surplus of $24,800 for the year 2016.
The list of contracts exceeding $25,000 is shown in Appendix A of the minutes of this meeting and forms an integral part of this meeting. This report is being presented in accordance with article 955 of the Municipal code.
In closing, the municipal Council and office staff work for you and we are consistent in our goal to increase and improve services. Your input is very valuable to us, so please do not hesitate to contact me to discuss any ideas or problems you may have. I will always take the time to return your calls or transfer the information to the municipal council and office staff. You can always reach me at 514 941-2224. If you wish to receive our bulletin the Gore Express by e-mail, kindly send your coordinates to sbarsalo@cantondegore.qc.ca. Thank you.
For the year 2016, the remuneration paid to municipal Council members was as follows:
|
|
Remuneration |
Non taxable |
Total |
|
Mayor |
$ 18 613.68 |
$ 9 306.84 |
$ 27 920.52 |
|
Councillors |
$ 4 717.44 |
$ 2 358.72 |
$ 7 076.16 |
Remunerations received from the MRC are divided as follow :
|
|
Remuneration |
Non taxable |
Total |
|
MAYOR |
|
||
|
Basic compensation |
$ 9 067.33 |
$ 4 533.67 |
$ 13 601.00 |
|
Attendance at the Mayors' council |
$ 1 184.20 |
$ 592.10 |
$ 1 776.30 |
|
Attendance at committees |
$ 3 349.53 |
$ 1 674.74 |
$ 5 024.27 |
|
TOTAL : |
$ 20 401.57 |
||
|
GORE REPRESENTATIVE COUNCILLOR |
|
||
|
Basic compensation |
$ 1 623.96 |
$ 812.04 |
$ 2 436.00 |
|
Attendance at the Mayors' council |
$ 744.37 |
$ 372.13 |
$ 1 116.50 |
|
Attendance at committees |
$ 2 097.66 |
$ 1 048.84 |
$ 3 146.50 |
|
TOTAL : |
$ 6 699.00 |
||
Remuneration received from the FQM was as follows:
|
|
Remuneration |
|
MAYOR |
|
|
Attendance at the board of directors |
$ 612.00 |
|
Attendance at committees |
$ 408.00 |
|
TOTAL : |
$ 1 020.00 |
Councillors on the UCC received an amount of $ 50 per meeting.
The list of contracts exceeding $25,000 is shown in Appendix A of the minutes of this meeting and forms an integral part of this meeting. This report is being presented in accordance with article 955 of the Municipal code.
In closing, the municipal Council and office staff work for you and we are consistent in our goal to increase and improve services. Your input is very valuable to us, so please do not hesitate to contact me to discuss any ideas or problems you may have. I will always take the time to return your calls or transfer the information to the municipal council and office staff. You can always reach me at 514 941-2224. If you wish to receive our bulletin the Gore Express by e-mail, kindly send your coordinates to sbarsalo@cantondegore.qc.ca. Thank you.
Capitalization program for the years 2017, 2018 and 2019
During the capitalization program for 2017, 2018 and 2019, the municipality plans to invest in the following projects:
| 1) | Phase 2 and 3 for the resurfacing of Lac Chevreuil, Braemar and Scott roads and PIIRL program for Cambria road; |
| 2) | Acquisition of individual self-contained breathing apparatus and SOPFEU signs; |
| 3) | Replacement of the grader; |
| 4) | Replacement of computers; |
| 5) | Titles transfers for Municipal park; |
| 6) | Sound proofing the management office; |
| 7) | Renovation of the community center in connection with MADA; |
| 8) | Improvement and development of trails; |
| 9) | Resale of properties; |
| 10) | Acquisition of a vibrating plate and snow blower; |
| 11) | Acquisition and installation of a dock at the boat launch |
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