By Dylan adams lemacon LJI Reporter
Rosemère’s city council met on June 9, and once again, the conversation reflected the town’s strong civic spirit. From financial transparency to urban planning and community concerns, the evening was filled with meaningful dialogue between council members and residents.
Mayor Eric Westram kicked off the meeting with a nod to the town’s recent public consultations. He thanked residents for their strong participation in the online climate change adaptation survey, saying, “The participation rate is very high, we can see how much this is important to you.” He also noted that 116 people attended the in-person consultation on the future of Place Rosemère and reminded others that feedback is still welcome through an online survey. Before diving into the agenda, he took a moment to wish all dads a happy Father’s Day in advance, adding, “You play an essential role in the lives of your family.”
Council then moved on to the evening’s main business. One item, concerning the replacement of two doors at 303 chemin de la Grande-Côte, was withdrawn from the agenda before it was officially adopted.
A major focus of the evening was the presentation of Rosemère’s 2024 financial report. The numbers tell a positive story: the city recorded a surplus of just over $1.3 million. That surplus came from a combination of increased revenues, mainly through transfer taxes, and reduced spending. When consolidated with partner organizations like the regional water and police services, the total climbs to $1.44 million. About half of the city’s reserve funds are now earmarked for infrastructure and managing future expenses. The city plans to invest $500,000 of the surplus back into those reserves. A full breakdown is available on the city’s website.
Things got more contentious during discussions on urban planning. Two minor exemption requests stood out. One allowed a smaller side setback for a home on rue Maplecrest. The other, on rue Lucerne, approved a detached garage in the front yard despite the property not meeting standard zoning rules. Local resident Sophie Cardinal questioned why these exemptions were being granted when she had previously been denied a similar request. Mayor Westram replied that the Lucerne case represented “a serious prejudice,” which justified the exception. The exchange ended without resolution.
Later in the meeting, Pierre Dubois returned to follow up on a neighborhood safety issue he raised last month. His concern centers on a poorly visible pedestrian path that remains unaddressed.
Another resident, Muhammad Ali, raised questions about the financial presentation. He felt it lacked detail, particularly on how budgeted funds compare to actual spending so far this year. He also asked why summer day camps have been scaled back despite the surplus. Mayor Westram cited staffing shortages and scheduling issues with local schools as major roadblocks. Ali also pointed out visible tension among some councillors, noting that “the atmosphere is quite tense between the three elected officials,” and called for more collaboration to move projects forward.
Finally, longtime attendee Sylvie Hamel raised concerns about Rosemère’s growing population and increased traffic. She said she chose to live in Rosemère for its calm atmosphere, and she’s worried it’s starting to change. In response, Mayor Westram emphasized the importance of planning ahead, especially if Rosemère is to eventually welcome larger projects, like perhaps, one day, a train line. “We need a vision,” he said.
The meeting wrapped up after a few more resident questions, with one clear takeaway: Rosemère’s citizens are paying attention—and they expect to be heard.