Rosemère Town Council November Meeting Highlights Local Projects, Finance, and Community Recognition
Dylan Adams Lemaçon, LJI Reporter
The Rosemère City Council gathered for its regular monthly meeting on November 11, 2024, at the Town Hall, where Mayor Eric Westram and council members reviewed a full agenda, covering urban planning, finance, public works, and community projects. The meeting opened on a reflective note, with Mayor Westram honoring the significance of Remembrance Day.
A Moment for Remembrance and Community Spirit
Opening the session, Mayor Westram delivered remarks commemorating Remembrance Day, urging attendees to honor the past while looking toward the future. “It’s not only a time to commemorate the past but also a call to the future,” he stated. This was followed by a solemn moment of silence in memory of those who served and sacrificed.
The mayor also highlighted Rosemère’s recent win of the Gardien de l’eau 2024 award this past week at the Flamb’Eau Gala which took place in Saint-Joseph-du-Lac. The prize, symbolized by a drop-shaped trophy, recognizes the town’s excellence in water conservation efforts, reflecting the council’s ongoing commitment to sustainable resource management.
Zoning, Development, and a Question of Housing
After Mayor Westram’s remarks, the meeting turned to the order of the day, with discussions on various urban planning items. A notable part of the question period centered around a resident’s inquiry regarding housing development. The resident, who has repeatedly applied to build mini homes on land that she bought, voiced frustration over the city’s refusals. She expressed that smaller homes were more appropriate for the location, situated near a school bus parking lot, but noted that the city continued to push for a single larger home.
City Council has previously upheld zoning preferences in areas like these, favoring single-family homes on larger lots, though the resident argued that demand for smaller housing units is present. Despite her consultation with professionals who confirmed her rights to pursue the project, the council remained firm on its stance for this property.
Urban and Financial Approvals
Throughout the session, council members presented and approved a series of plans, bylaws, and budget allocations that had been set in advance. Council member Stéphanie Nantel led approvals for signage on several local business properties along Boulevard Labelle, including Chez Ferg and Dormez Vous. Councillor René Villeneuve reviewed regulatory updates and bylaws, ensuring alignment with Rosemere’s broader urban and financial strategies.
Villeneuve also outlined the council’s financial authorizations. All financial points were approved, including a $6.77 million bond issue and the adoption of the 2025 budget for the Régie intermunicipale de police Thérèse-De Blainville, which provides policing services to Rosemere and surrounding communities.
Public Works and Development Projects Move Forward
Councillor Philip Panet-Raymond took the floor to discuss updates on infrastructure and public works, with several projects approved unanimously. Noteworthy points included the upcoming refurbishment of streets, pump station improvements, and the renewal of recycling contracts to enhance waste management services.
Panet-Raymond’s approvals also included a sustainable water use report, highlighting Rosemère’s progress in water-saving initiatives, a fitting follow-up to the Gardien de l’eau award.
Community Services: Support for the Local Library
Councillor Roseanna Cirino presented the council’s agenda on community services, with approvals for November sponsorships and donations. Among the items was an authorization for the Rosemère Library to sell deaccessioned books to residents for $2 each, encouraging local readership and extending the life of old books.
A Quiet Meeting
As the council wrapped up its agenda, only a small handful of residents remained in attendance, and just one had posed a question during the entirety of the meeting. Despite the light public participation, the council concluded its work with a series of important approvals aimed at balancing development, fiscal responsibility, and environmental stewardship for the town of Rosemere.