Council’s Echo

Municipal Council Meeting of December 16, 2024

Special Meeting

2025 Budget
During the special meeting on December 16, the council presented the 2025 budget and the three-year plan for the years 2025-2026-2027. The council is proud to present a balanced budget that addresses the significant increase in the assessment roll. Click here to view the 2025 budget

 

Regular Meeting

Highlights of November 2024

Signing of the Collective Agreement
It is with great pride that the municipality proceeded with the signing of the collective agreement for the next 6 years.

Vidéotron Telecommunications Tower
The consultation process for the installation of cellular towers is still ongoing by Vidéotron representatives following a recent site modification.

Confirmation of Grants for Harrington Road
Great news: the municipality has received confirmation of 3 grants for roadwork on Harrington Road amounting to $8,030,944. Planned for the spring of 2025 and expected to finish in 2026, these are large-scale works for which the municipality will receive a provincial government grant covering 70% of the expenses.

Projects at Community Centers

  • The HVCC renovation project is now complete.
  • The roof renovation project at the HGAC is underway and will be completed shortly.
  • A renovation project for the LRCC will also be proposed and is expected to begin in early 2025.

LRCC Park Improvement Project
The municipality is currently working on a major improvement project for the LRCC park. The goal is to build and install a multi-sport field that can accommodate an ice rink in winter and pickleball and basketball courts in summer. The project also aims to set up a modest welcome building for changing.

Land Purchase Project Near the Rivière-Rouge
The municipality is actively working with Hydro-Québec representatives to acquire portions of land in order to make them accessible to the citizens of Harrington.

 

Summary of Key Council Decisions

2025 Schedule for Regular Municipal Council Meetings
The council adopted the schedule for the regular municipal council meetings for the year 2025. Click here to view the schedule

Purchase Offer for Lots East of the Rivière-Rouge
Following discussions with Hydro-Québec representatives, the council authorized the municipal administration to submit a purchase offer for all the lots owned by Hydro-Québec, located east of the Rivière-Rouge. The goal is to develop infrastructure for residents as part of a river accessibility project. The municipality wishes to seize this unique opportunity to enhance the Rivière-Rouge, a true gem for our community. The council is still in talks with Hydro-Québec regarding other lots to the west, and the municipality is actively seeking grants to make this promising project a reality for Harrington.

Update on Fees and Required Documents for Building and Sanitary Installation Permit Applications
The council proposed a change to the permit and certificate by-law, which will be adopted at a future session. The new by-law primarily aims to modernize permit fees to reflect actual costs, and to add required documents for building and sanitary installation permit applications.

New Regulation on Property Transfers
The council proposed a by-law regarding property transfers, which will be adopted at a future session. The new by-law will allow the municipality to collect a 3% fee on the transfer of any property with a tax base exceeding $500,000.

Loan for the Purchase of a Truck
The council authorized a loan request of $505,238 for the acquisition of a 10-wheel truck for operations within the municipality.

Awarding of Contract for the Replacement of a Culvert on Rivière-Rouge Road
The council authorized the awarding of a contract, following a call for tenders, for the replacement of a culvert washed away by floodwaters during the storm caused by the remnants of Hurricane Debby, on Rivière-Rouge Road. The contract was awarded to David Riddell Excavation/Transport. These works will be included in the municipality’s reimbursement request to the ministère de la Sécurité Publique.

Location of a Telecommunications Tower
The council authorized the proposed location by Vidéotron for the installation of the third telecommunications tower on our territory. It should be noted that the municipality is working closely with Vidéotron to minimize visual impacts as much as possible, while respecting the technical requirements that the developer must comply with, and ensuring a reliable cellular network to maintain the safety of all.

Ice Rink at the Lost-River Community Center
The council authorized financial support for the construction and maintenance of the ice rink at the Lost-River Community Center.

Christmas Tree Lighting at the Lost-River Community Center
The council authorized financial support for the lighting of the Christmas tree at the Lost-River Community Center.

 

More information

 

Volunteer Appreciation Brunch
On Sunday, October 27, 2024, the Volunteer Appreciation Brunch was held at the Auberge Val Carroll. This event allowed us to thank and highlight the valuable involvement of volunteers from the three community centers in our area: Lost River Community Center, Harrington Valley Community Center, and Golden Age Community Center.

Public Safety Interventions Report
In October, the municipality’s public safety services conducted 10 interventions, including 5 related to fires and 5 first responder interventions, one of which involved a search requiring the intervention of the K-9 patrol.

Telecommunication Tower
The municipality continues to work closely with Vidéotron to install three new cell towers in order to minimize visual impacts while ensuring a reliable cellular network for the safety of all.

Rivington Bridge Status
Following an inspection by the ministère des Transports, the Rivington Bridge was completely closed to traffic for several hours and later reopened with a weight limit of 3 tons. This restriction raises concerns for emergency services (ambulances, fire trucks), school buses, waste collection, and commercial deliveries. We will keep you informed of any developments.

Meetings and Work Sessions
Three work meetings were held at the MRC d’Argenteuil and two at the town hall with the municipal council members. The MRC budget has been finalized and will be adopted soon. On the municipal side, we are currently working on the budget, which will be adopted at a special meeting in December 2024. A public notice will be published in the coming weeks regarding this.

Summary of Key Council Decisions

Collective Agreement
Following the guidance of the council, the municipal administration reached a collective agreement with the union for the renewal of the collective agreement, which will last for six years.

Work on Rivière-Rouge Road
The council authorized the fifth payment to Inter-chantier, general contractor, for the work on Rivière-Rouge Road. The next phase of the project is scheduled for spring-summer 2025, including the application of the second layer of asphalt, granular recharging for the section north of the nursery, and the replacement of 5 culverts.

Increase in Sûreté du Québec Service Costs
The council requested that government authorities review the method of calculating the allocation of Sûreté du Québec service costs to municipalities across Quebec.

Sale and Acceptance of Offers
Following the sale of two properties by public tender, the council accepted both purchase offers in accordance with the established criteria.

Tender for the Purchase of a Truck
The council authorized the administration to proceed with a public tender for the eventual purchase of a 10-wheel truck with snow removal equipment.

Decisions on Minor Variance and PIIA Requests
We reviewed and made decisions on one minor variance request and three PIIA requests.

Financial Assistance to Lost River Community Center
We granted financial assistance to the Lost River Community Center for the distribution of Christmas baskets.