Luc St-Gelais

The special session of the municipal council focused on several key financial and planning matters. The agenda included the presentation and adoption of the Three-Year Capital Works Program (PTI) for 2026-2027-2028, totaling $50,246,000. The council also presented and adopted the 2026 budget, approving the allocation of $441,530 from accumulated surplus and setting the 2026 budgets for proximity and total operations. Furthermore, a motion was given for the tabling and future adoption of By-law # 226-2026 concerning the imposition of all taxes and fees for 2026. A dedicated question period was held exclusively regarding the 2026 budget and the three-year capital program.

This document outlines a three-year capital works program for the period 2026-2028. It details planned investments across several key municipal areas, including buildings, infrastructure (such as roads, bridges, and culverts), vehicles and equipment, environmental hygiene (water and sewer systems), and recreation and parks. The program aims to address maintenance, repairs, upgrades, and new acquisitions for various municipal assets.

The council meeting addressed various administrative and financial matters, including the approval of accounts totaling $472,183.88 and the deposit of budget transfers for January 2026. Key resolutions involved the annual approval of non-compressible expenditures for 2026, totaling $11,232,906, and the refinancing of several loan by-laws for a total of $1,254,800. The council adopted Regulation #213-2025 for road works on Chemin Masson, not exceeding $7,739,000, and adopted Regulation #225-2026 establishing the Code of Ethics and Conduct for municipal elected officials. Furthermore, Regulation #226-2026 concerning taxes and compensation for 2026 was adopted. Personnel actions included accepting the resignation of the taxation clerk and hiring a replacement, Zoé Prud'homme, and hiring a new general management secretary, Meg-Ann Aubuchon. The council also authorized mandates with the Fédération québécoise des municipalités (FQM) for collective agreement negotiation support and job evaluation. Expenditures were approved for new laptops and the implementation of the idconcerto paperless council management software for 2026-2028. The council also modified the 2025 financial assistance contributions for private roads open to the public (CPOP) and authorized attendance at the FQM Congress in September 2026. In public works, the council confirmed the permanent status of the Public Works Secretary-Receptionist and authorized several change orders (Avenants) related to the interior finishing of the gym project, including engineering services and contractor modifications.

The special session addressed the adoption of the agenda. Key discussions focused on the study and adoption of the Agglomération de Sainte-Marguerite-Estérel's Three-Year Capital Program (PTI) for the years 2026, 2027, and 2028, totaling $6,513,075, with specific allocations for each year. The session also covered the filing and adoption of the 2026 budget, totaling $2,424,497, with specified shares for Sainte Marguerite-du-Lac-Masson and Estérel. A dedicated question period was held exclusively for the 2026 budget and the three-year capital program.

The regular council meeting addressed numerous administrative and financial items, including the approval and ratification of accounts totaling over $1,000,000 and the filing of budgetary transfers. Key legislative actions included the adoption of an amendment to permit the circulation of ATVs on specific municipal roads (Masson and d'Entrelacs), and the filing, presentation, and notice of motion for a by-law to establish the Code of Ethics and Conduct for Municipal Elected Officials. Additionally, a significant by-law was filed concerning a capital expenditure and borrowing not exceeding $7,739,000 for the rehabilitation of seven sections of Chemin Masson. The council also accepted the resignation of the Director General's Secretary, approved a 15-day probation extension for an employee, and renewed the prevention mutual insurance contract. In public works, a salary scale modification for a Driver-Operator and the third progress payment for pickleball court preparation were authorized. The urban planning section saw the adoption of two concordance by-laws (Règlement # 128-2018-A29 and # 128-2018-A30) to align with MRC des Pays-d'en-Haut regulations, and a monetary contribution of $8,272.80 was set for park fees related to a subdivision project. Finally, representatives were designated for the water quality follow-up committee, and the hiring of a recreational technical assistant/maintenance replacement was approved.