MUNICIPALITY OF THORNE

Regular Sitting held on April 5, 2011 (7:00pm)

Minutes of the meeting of the Municipality of Thorne held on Tuesday, April 5, 2011, 2011 at 7:00pm in Thorne Township, under the chairmanship of the Mayor, Mr. Ross Vowles.

1. OPENING AND ATTENDANCE

M. Guitard, J. Schock Pulley, E. Dagenais-Schwartz, K. Kelly, E. Pasch, R. Charette

2. QUESTION PERIOD

3. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA

93-04/2011 It is moved by M. Guitard and resolved to adopt the agenda with modifications. Carried

4. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES OF THE MARCH 1, 2011 MEETING

94-04/2011 It is moved by J. Schock Pulley and resolved to adopt the minutes of the March 1, 2011 meeting. Carried

5. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING ON MARCH 22, 2011

95-04/2011 It is moved by K. Kelly and resolved to adopt the minutes of the special meeting held on March 22, 2011. Carried

6. FOLLOW-UP

1) ATV club: the ATV Club has given a contract and their insurance information to the person who is maintaining the property on Yach road where the proposed changes are located. There are still waiting to receive the signed copy, but are making attempts to contact him.

2) Security Camera: This item has been deferred to the May 3rd meeting.

3) Road truck:

96-04/2011 It is moved by K. Kelly and resolved to purchase a 2002 Dodge Ram from Shawville Ford. Carried (It is noted that Clr. J. Schock Pulley voted against this motion)

4) Revitalization Committee: The committee met again on Sunday, March 27th.

The Committee is making the following announcement:

“By the MAMROT (Municipal Affairs)’s definition, Thorne is considered a devitalized municipality. Since the town meeting last October a revitalization committee has been formed and is developing an action plan to recover us from the negative economic and socionomic direction that Thorne is taking. The committee has 8 members with varying levels of life and work experience, and both local residents and the cottage community are represented.

MAMROT has allotted money to be put towards revitalizing its municipalities. Thorne’s revitalization committee is drafting an action plan to apply for a portion of that money. This action plan will represent were we are now as a municipality, where we want to be, and how we plan on getting there; a revitalization road map.

This is where the community comes in. The revitalization committee will be sending out a questionnaire in order to collect data to determine where we are as a municipality. This survey will be distributed by email and paper copies will be available at the Ladysmith post office, Hotel, Municipal Office, and the Bretzlaff Store. After all questionnaires are in we will compile the results and then begin writing the action plan. The Committee hopes to submit the action plan to council at the June 7th meeting.”

97-04/2011 It is moved by E. Dagenais-Schwartz and resolved to add Amanda Porter to the Revitalization Committee and Gilles Ouimet as the representative for the TCRA. Carried

5) High Speed Internet: A letter from the Municipality of Campbell’s Bay was received, supporting our grant application for satellite high speed internet. A letter from the Municipality of Alleyn-et-Cawood was received, stating they couldn’t support our grant application.

There is now an online petition for people who want to receive high speed internet through satellite. To sign the petition, please use the following link: http://www.petitiononline.com/Thorne/petition.html

6) Family Policy Committee: The Committee met on Monday, March 28th and worked on actions to be added to an action plan. The Committee hopes to be able to submit the action plan to council at the May 3rd meeting.

7) RBC Play Hockey Grant: Clr. E. Pasch requested that the DG get an update as to the status of the Municipality’s grant application.

7. DEEDS

There were 2 deeds for the month of March 2011.

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8. INSPECTOR’S REPORT

There were 38 inspections for the month of March 2011.

9. WASTE MANAGEMENT SITE

Council maintains its position regarding the return of garbage stickers. They will NOT be accepted. Council also maintains its position on accepting kitchen catchers in clear garbage bags.

98-04/2011 It is moved by E. Pasch and resolved to have a free large “household” item drop-off to its ratepayers, on the Saturday, Sunday, Monday of the long weekend in May (May 21/22/23), and to hire Glenn Sparling for those 3 days to help the dump attendant. This includes beds/mattresses/chairs/couches, but excludes construction and demolition debris. Fridges and freezers must be tagged that the Freon has been removed. Carried

10. MUNICIPAL OFFICE

The purchase of 2 hanging baskets for the entrance to the Municipal office will be considered an office expense.

11. FIRST AIDE

99-04/2011 It is moved by R. Charette and resolved to register the Director General (DG) for First Aide training as soon as it becomes available and to cover all related costs. Carried

12. BY-LAW ON OFF ROAD VEHICLES

100-04/2011 It is moved by M. Guitard and resolved to accept By-law #03-2011. Carried

BY-LAW # 03-2011
CANADA, PROVINCE OF QUEBEC, M.R.C. Pontiac, Municipality of Thorne

REGULATIONS FOR OFF-ROAD VEHICLES ON CERTAIN MUNICIPAL ROADS
WHEREAS the Act respecting off-road vehicles establishes the rules for off-road vehicle users in determining the traffic rules applicable to off-road vehicles and allowing their movement with certain conditions;
WHEREAS under section 626, paragraph14 of the Highway Safety Code, a municipality may, by regulation, allow the movement of off-road vehicles on any road or part of a road on the conditions it determines;
WHEREAS the Pontiac Quad Club and the Pontiac Snowmobile Driver’s Association have sought permission from the municipality of Thorne to travel on certain municipal roads, unable to travel on private land ;
CONSIDERING THAT a Notice of Motion of this law was duly given by Councilor Mike Guitard, at the regular meeting of council held on February 1, 2011;
FOR THESE REASONS, THE COUNCIL OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF THORNE ORDERED THAT:
Article 1 Preamble
The preamble of this by-law forms part of all legal purposes.
Article 2 Title and Number
This Regulation is numbered 03-2011 and is entitled "Regulations for the movement of off-road vehicles on certain municipal roads."
Article 3 Purpose
The purpose of this by-law is to establish the rules of use for off-road vehicles on some municipal roads in the territory of the Municipality of Thorne, all in accordance with the Act respecting off-highway vehicles.
Article 4 off-road vehicles covered
This by-law applies to off-road vehicles whose net weight does not exceed 450 kilograms and width, including equipment, does not exceed 1.28 meters.

Article 5 Mandatory equipment
Every vehicle referred to in Article 4 shall have all equipment required under the Act respecting off-highway vehicles.
Article 6 Authorized Locations
Traffic on the municipal network:

A) AUTHORIZED FOR THE PONTIAC QUAD CLUB
The following roads:
Thorne Lake
Mountain
Yach (in the process of being modified)
Schwartz
Himmelman
Bryson
Greermount
Tubman
Route 366: a) from Route 303 to Bryson Rd
b) and from Greermount to Route 301
(Excluding Route 366 between Bryson and Greermount)

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B) AUTHORIZED FOR THE PONTIAC SNOWMOBILE DRIVER’S ASSOCIATION


Schock road on the unplowed portion from John Pasch’s farm to Johnson Lake road

Yach road from Adams road to the Vandusky property

Thorne Lake road from Mountain road to Route 303

Johnson road from the culvert at Route 303 (110m)
C) TRAIL CLOSURE
No traffic is permitted on the trails between 10:00pm and 6:00am, which remain closed during this period.
D) ACCESS AND AUTHORIZED EXITS
For all entrances and exits allowed as mentioned above, off-road vehicles will ride on the road.

Article 7

Off-road vehicles equipped with operational snow removal equipment and compliant to adequately perform snow removal operations are allowed to circulate in the streets of the Municipality of Thorne, subject to the conditions specified in this regulation and any other regulation into force.
Article 8 Period
Permission granted to off-road vehicles on the premises under this regulation is valid from May 1st to April 30th of each year.
Article 9 Off-Road Vehicle Clubs
The authorization granted by this by-law shall be valid only if the club ensures compliance of off-road vehicles, with provisions of the Act respecting off-highway vehicles and this by-law, in particular regarding:
Development, management and maintenance of the trails it operates;
Signage, which should be adequate, relevant and authorized by the Municipality of Thorne
Monitoring of the trails through surveillance officers
Underwriting a policy of liability insurance of at least two million dollars.
Article 10 Obligations of users
Any and all users or drivers of a vehicle referred to in Article 4 must comply with the obligations and rules under the Act respecting off-highway vehicles.
Article 11 Traffic Rules

A) Speed
The driver of an off-road vehicle referred to in Article 4 shall be obliged to respect the speed according to the signage for each section of trail
B) Signage
The driver of an off-road vehicle referred to in Article 4 shall be obliged to obey the signs, the Act respecting off-highway vehicles and to obey the orders and signals of a trail security officer.
The driver of an off-road vehicle referred to in Article 4 shall keep it as close as possible to the right edge of the road or trail. It must yield to any road vehicle other than an off-road vehicle.

Article 12 Application of this Regulation
In accordance with the Act respecting off-highway vehicles, trail security officers are responsible for implementing this by-law.
Article 13 Penal Provisions
All national penal provisions under the Act respecting off-highway vehicles are applicable to persons violating the provisions of this by-law.
Article 14 Entry into force
This By-law comes into force on the day of its publication in accordance with the Act.Dictionnaire - Afficher le dictionnaire

13. COTTAGE SEASON

101-04/2011 It is moved by E. Pasch and resolved to purchase 2 banners from Mystical Creations welcoming back the cottagers. The DG is to confirm with the MTQ to see if it is possible to hang them over Route 303, or from the property owner at the corner of Routes 303 and 366. Carried

14. ROAD FOREMAN’S REPORT

102-04/2011 It is moved by J. Schock Pulley and resolved to request that the Road Foreman sends a report through the DG to be read at the regular monthly meetings. Carried

15. ADMQ MEMBERSHIP INSURANCE

This item is deferred to the Administration Committee

16. PGAMR (Portail gouvernemental des affaires municipales et régionales)

103-04/2011 It is moved by R. Charette and resolved to name the Director General as the authorized representative for the PGAMR and to name the DG as the person responsible for the electronic services, and to include the Assistant DG, if so required. Carried

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17. GROCERY STORE

104-04/2011 It is moved by K. Kelly and resolved to reply to the ratepayer, who deposited a letter of concern regards to the lack of a grocery store near by, informing him that multiple levels of government are looking into the matter. Carried

18. 2011 CENSUS

105-04/2010 It is moved by M. Guitard and resolved that the Municipality of Thorne supports the 2011 Census and encourages all residents to complete their census forms online at www.census.gc.ca or by mail, by Tuesday, May 10, 2011, so that accurate and complete data will be available to support programs and services that benefit us all. Carried

19. MUNICIPAL LIBRARY

106-04/2011 It is moved by J. Schock Pulley and resolved to donate the old municipal computer and monitor to the library after it has been cleaned and re-formatted, as well as covering the expenses involved in the reformatting procedures, to purchase a new monitor for the Municipality’s computer at the cost of $129.99 plus taxes, along with a wireless card for the internet and a surge protector (all as long as the TCRA agrees to have the computer in the library). Carried

20. RESOLUTIONS FROM NEIGHBOURING MUNICIPALITIES

A letter from the Municipality of Pontiac concerning ATV trails in the Municipality of Bristol was deposited. No action will be taken by Thorne council.

107-04/2011 It is moved by E. Pasch and resolved to request that the MRC identify Wrights Lake road as a more strategic road in order to make it eligible for PMA funding. (It is noted that Clr. M. Guitard abstained from voting concerning this motion).

21. COTTAGE LIVING MAGAZINE

108-04/2011 It is moved by K. Kelly and resolved to renew the ad in the cottage living magazine for the cost of $210.00. Carried

22. FIREFIGHTER TRAINING

109-04/2011 It is moved by E. Pasch and resolved to enroll the Grader Operator for fire fighter training, when it becomes available, and to cover all related expenses. Carried

23. ROAD FOREMAN

110-04/2011 It is moved by M. Guitard and resolved to set the wage of the new Road Foreman, Gale Miller, at $20/hour, to give him 3 weeks of vacation time. The Administration Committee will have Mr. Miller sign a contract. Carried

24. FAX MACHINE / PRINTER / SCANNER / PHOTOCOPIER

111-04/2011 It is moved by R. Charette and resolved to replace the malfunctioning unit with new fax machine / printer / scanner / photocopier for the municipal office. The DG and Administration Committee are to purchase the best possible machine for under $950.00. Carried

25. BY-LAW ON THE USE OF MUNICIPAL ROADS BY HEAVY VEHICLES

This item was deferred until later in 2011.

26. STREET SWEEPING

112-04/2011 It is moved by E. Dagenais-Schwartz and resolved to award the contract for sweeping to Blue Heron for the amount of $63.50/hour, although the road committee is to examine the roads to see if it is possible to reduce the amount of sweeping. Carried

27. MAYORS REPORT OF THE MRC MONTHLY MEETING

The Mayor’s had no report on the March meeting.

28. BUSINESS ARISING FROM MRC MEETING

No business arising from MRC meeting.

29. VARIA:

1) Thank You from the Road Foreman: Mr. Kluke’s card of Thanks was read to council

2) Thank You from the TCRA: A letter of thanks was deposited for the donation towards the Thorne Notice Board.

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