Word | Message from the Mayor

October, 2024 – Dear citizens of the Municipality of Harrington, Autumn is already well established, bringing its changing colors and cooler temperatures. On behalf of the entire Harrington Municipal Council, we hope you are enjoying this beautiful fall season.

I am very pleased to share the progress of our major road projects. The first phase of the rehabilitation project for Rivière-Rouge Road, which requires an investment of over $5 million in partnership with the provincial government, is nearly complete. Of course, I must also mention the damage caused by the heavy rains this summer, which necessitated significant repairs. We are closely collaborating with the Ministry to ensure that most, if not all, of the costs will be covered by the government through available programs due to the inclement weather. Good news: the plans and specifications for the complete rehabilitation of Harrington Road, which requires urgent repairs, are finished. We are currently awaiting a response to our grant application, which could significantly reduce costs. We hope to hear back by the end of the year.

In response to the lack of cellular network coverage and numerous citizen requests, we have reached an agreement with Videotron to install three cell towers in our region. This initiative aims to improve the reliability of cellular service in Harrington. We will publish any new information on this topic on our website. Videotron is required to conduct a public consultation on this matter, and we encourage citizen participation. The service is expected to be operational by 2025 and will incur no costs for the municipality, as the entire project is funded by the government.

We have also made significant progress with grants associated with the financial aid program for revitalization. I am very proud to announce that the Golden Age Community Center and the Harrington Valley Community Center have benefited from considerable investments that will benefit all their members and activities. We continue to actively work within this program to submit other promising and stimulating projects aimed at recreational facilities and equipment for the entire municipality. I thank our citizens for their suggestions and proposals, which have helped us better target future projects. Thank you!

An important change will be implemented next year regarding waste management in Harrington, the introduction of compostable and organic material collection. A new option will soon be available to reduce the amount of organic waste placed in regular trash (the large green bins). Keep an eye on our website and your mailbox to stay informed about the project’s progress.

Regarding the protection of Crown land in our territory, the Council has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting and maintaining the status of these provincial lands within our municipal territory. Through this initiative, the municipality positions itself as a partner in the protection and preservation of Crown lands in Harrington. This position is not definitive and may be reevaluated in the future if necessary.

We thank you for your support and ongoing commitment to making Harrington an exceptional municipality.