Author: The Record
Published August 6, 2024

Photo: William Crooks

Council addresses community concerns and future initiatives

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

The North Hatley Council, led by Mayor Marcella Davis-Gerrish, convened on Aug. 5 to discuss various community initiatives and address residents’ concerns. The meeting, characterized by a strong sense of community engagement, tackled pressing issues related to parking, infrastructure, and local events.

Davis-Gerrish provided updates on community events, commending the volunteers who contributed to the success of recent activities. She highlighted the ongoing concerts at Dreamland Park, set to continue until the end of August, and praised the volunteers involved in the garage sale at the North Hatley Elementary School. The Mayor also noted that the Farmer’s Market would remain open until Oct. 12, and announced a garage sale at the Curling Club, along with an end-of-summer barbecue hosted by the North Hatley Recreation Society (NHRS).

During the first question period, residents raised several concerns and inquiries that reflected the community’s active participation in local governance. One resident expressed his involvement in the ALS march and sought clarification on event logistics, to which Davis-Gerrish responded, “We are working with them because there’s also a spring event between the two of us, but we are planning to take more steps and build more tents.”

Parking issues dominated the discussion, with multiple residents voicing their frustrations. One resident highlighted the lack of parking meters and enforcement, leading to revenue losses and inconvenience. “There’s a huge amount of money being lost every day from April through the fall. Where are the meters? Where’s the organization? When is it getting done?” she questioned.

Davis-Gerrish acknowledged the issue and explained, “We have been working on it for the last several months. The cost is much more than we thought. We estimate about $50,000 to put it in place. It will be in the budget for next year.”

Another resident questioned the future of the marina building, describing it as a former “jewel” of the town. “What is happening to that building and what sort of progress are you making with regard to the future?” he asked.

The Mayor confirmed that an architect had been hired to create a design that meets grant requirements, ensuring functionality and accessibility. “The reason why it hasn’t been shown to the population right now is to assure that we get the grant. You have to check all the boxes with the government for the application. Once it’s confirmed, there will be a public consultation,” she explained.

Nicolas Leblanc, president of the NHRS, thanked the council for their support and proposed future collaborations for community activities. “The NHRS is always keen to help out with activities for kids. We’re focusing on bringing back baseball to North Hatley for kids and repairing the back fencing of the baseball diamond,” he said. Leblanc also suggested using NHRS volunteers for other community events, stating, “If North Hatley has ideas for activities but lacks the people or infrastructure, NHRS would be a great place to say, ‘Hey, can you organize this for us?'”

A regulation aimed at controlling invasive and undesirable species within the municipality was discussed. Councillor Michel Desrosiers proposed the regulation, which will be presented for adoption at the next council session. This initiative seeks to limit the spread of harmful species and protect local biodiversity.

The council considered various other requests and collaborations, including a resolution to support a march for ALS awareness on Sept. 29. Additionally, the council authorized the use of municipal equipment for the ALS march, demonstrating their commitment to supporting charitable events.

During the second question period, a resident again voiced her concerns about parking, emphasizing the chaos it brings to the town. “People are parking all the way up Sherbrooke Street. They’re parking in Daisy LeBaron’s parking lot after she closes. On the weekends, they’re parking below the school, on School Street, everywhere. Where are the meters?” she insisted. The Mayor reiterated, “We are working on it. It will be in the budget for next year. The system should be in place by next summer.”

Residents also brought up the condition of the Pleasant View Beach House. One resident asked, “What are the directives for the architect regarding the beach house renovations?” The Mayor responded, “The architect’s directives are to fit within the grant available, replicate what’s there, and ensure functionality and accessibility, including handicap-accessible kitchens and bathrooms.”

As the meeting continued, more concerns about the town’s infrastructure surfaced. A resident highlighted issues with the River Street parking, stating, “It’s virtually impossible to drive down the parking lot without crossing the line. The middle line should have been adjusted when they redid the parking.” Davis-Gerrish noted the feedback and assured that the council would look into it.

The council addressed various financial motions throughout the meeting. Councillor Andrew Pelletier moved to approve the payment of $123,991.47 for municipal expenses, which was accepted without opposition. The payroll amounts for municipal employees and other associated costs, totaling $64,390.52, were also approved. Additionally, a motion to refinance regulations from 2010 and 2012, involving a loan of $7,054,000, was passed to support the municipality’s financial stability and ongoing projects.

Davis-Gerrish wrapped up the meeting by addressing final questions and remarks from residents, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and collaboration. The session adjourned at roughly 8 p.m.

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