Caroline Bernard

This Economic Development Policy for the Municipalité d'Adstock serves as a strategic roadmap for the period 2025-2030, aiming to guide its long-term growth and prosperity. The policy is structured around four primary axes: enhancing attractiveness and housing, strengthening industries, businesses, and local services, developing recreational tourism and vacationing, and fostering agroforestry and biofood sectors. The intended outcome is to establish Adstock as a dynamic, attractive, and sustainable environment for residents and businesses, marked by population growth, diversified economic activity, and an improved quality of life.

The extraordinary council session addressed several key agenda items. The council adopted the agenda as presented. The main focus was the presentation and subsequent unanimous adoption of the 2026 budget forecasts, totaling $9,282,559 in both revenues and expenditures across various categories including public security, transportation, and general administration. Following this, the council resolved to publish the explanatory documents for the 2026 budget in the local newspaper and on the municipality's website. Furthermore, the three-year capital expenditure plan for the fiscal years 2026-2027-2028 was formally adopted. The session concluded after a question period reserved for the public.

The council meeting covered administrative matters, including the authorization for September 2025 expenses totaling $748,059.36 and the deposit of comparative statements as of August 31, 2025. A significant finance decision involved awarding a $1,017,300 bond issuance to Valeurs mobilières Desjardins inc. The council approved the renewal of membership in the Union des municipalités du Québec and authorized a public tender for septic sludge collection and transport. Other key actions included granting a mandate for an interim audit of the Finance Department and authorizing the Director General to seek new cybersecurity service offers, potentially moving away from the Fédération québécoise des municipalités (FQM) contract. The revised municipal organizational chart was adopted, including new coordinator appointments. In planning and urbanism, the council adopted an amendment to the zoning by-law and made decisions on several minor variance requests related to setbacks, building footprints, and accessory structure sizes across various properties. Approvals were granted for architectural site planning and integration for multiple properties and for the development of a multi-purpose trail at Mont Adstock. In public works, the list of roads to be maintained during the 2025-2026 winter season was adopted, contracts for snow removal were authorized, payment recommendation number 1 for $509,175.41 for road work on Chemin J.-E.-Fortin was approved, and contracts for fire hydrant maintenance and road salt supply were awarded. The council also adopted the programming related to the federal gas tax and Québec contribution (TECQ) for 2024 to 2028, and accepted the final completion of parts of the Domaine Escapad project works. A request for financial support from the Government of Québec regarding asbestos management costs was also resolved. Finally, a representative was nominated to the Stratégie ADN jeunesse ambassador committee.

The extraordinary council session addressed several key items. The agenda was formally adopted. Motions were introduced regarding the proposal for the 2026 tax rates, compensations, and modalities, as well as a proposed by-law establishing the allocation for members of municipal advisory committees. Additionally, a motion was introduced for a by-law concerning the adherence of the Municipality of Adstock to the elected municipal officials' pension plan for the mayor only. The council subsequently approved expenditures totaling $60,000 related to improvement works and associated eligible fees under the local road assistance program (PPA-CE). The session concluded after a period reserved for public questions and a formal adjournment.

The extraordinary session focused on several resolutions and decisions. Key topics included the final payment and closure of loan by-law number 253-19, which was covered by accumulated surplus to avoid 2026 taxation. The council authorized the acquisition and implementation of the Cauca mass communication software for alerts, with a three-year service agreement. Furthermore, by-law number 316-25 was adopted to establish the Economic Development Advisory Committee. The council decided to officially request the Ministère des Transports et de la Mobilité durable du Québec to assume responsibility and costs for installing restricted visibility signage with flashing lights near a daycare on Route 269. Several minor variance requests concerning lot subdivisions on Rue Réjean and property setbacks/accessory structure sizes on Chemin Sacré-Coeur Est and Route du Lac-du-Huit were analyzed and approved based on CCU recommendations. Finally, a municipal recommendation was issued to the CPTAQ to authorize the Centre de services scolaires des Appalaches to use a small area for drilling and exploiting a new well.