Steve Paulin

The council held a public consultation regarding minor variance requests, followed by a regular meeting. Key items addressed included the adoption of regulations concerning the remuneration of elected officials and municipal service pricing. The council approved the disposal of a co-owned all-terrain vehicle, appointed a volunteer firefighter, and expressed support for a CPTAQ authorization request. Additionally, minor variance applications were approved for two properties, and the council authorized maintenance work on the municipal garage, landscape maintenance, and the purchase of work clothing. The meeting also included discussions on the TECQ infrastructure program, support for regional infrastructure projects such as the Sentiers frontaliers, and a resolution regarding the resilience of telecommunication networks during crises.

The council meeting addressed several administrative and regulatory matters. Key topics included a review of fire department activities and building permit statistics for February, the filing of financial reports, and the authorization of monthly accounts. The council discussed and approved the use of compensation funds from the Ministry of Transportation for local road and bridge maintenance. Furthermore, the council formally adopted a new harmonized by-law regarding public order and peace, as well as a new by-law concerning the occupation and maintenance of buildings. Additionally, the council authorized the purchase of skating equipment supported by a grant.

The council discussed various operational items including fire department and urban planning reports, the adoption of a taxation regulation for 2026, and the scheduling of sewage and water billing. Additionally, they addressed a request for sponsorships for primary schools and the Pierre Lavoie Challenge, authorized a free outdoor day for citizens at Station Baie-des-Sables, and updated policies regarding school perseverance and the rights of inspection by municipal officers. Other actions included the purchase of office equipment, approval of a committee for demolition, creation of a committee for the 150th anniversary, modification of municipal office hours, distribution of indigenous trees, an amendment to a lease for the Orion Pavilion, and authorization for the rental of a snow removal truck.

The meeting addressed several key items, including the adoption of the agenda and confirming the addition of an item for flower purchase. A significant portion of the meeting involved the unanimous adoption of the revised Code of Ethics and Conduct for municipal elected officials (Règlement #524-2026). Reports were presented by the Fire Director regarding service activities in December and by the Building Inspector summarizing permits issued for December. The council approved the accounts presented as of January 8, 2026, and also approved the three-year capital program for 2026, 2027, and 2028, which includes road work and municipal building renovations. Furthermore, the council resolved to financially contribute $500 for a field trip for 5th and 6th-grade students from École de la Voie-Lactée. The service offer from HB archivistes S.E.N.C. for document and archives management in 2026 was accepted. Proclamations were made for the National Day for the Promotion of Positive Mental Health and for the School Perseverance Days in February 2026. Finally, the council requested the Director of Civil Status to designate the Mayor as competent to celebrate marriages and civil unions, and authorized the purchase of flowers for public poles.

The extraordinary session focused primarily on the 2026 budget. The key discussion point was the presentation of the 2026 fiscal budget forecasts, which balanced revenues and expenditures at $2,963,556.82. Following the presentation, the council unanimously resolved to formally adopt these budget forecasts.