Saint-Laurent Borough council highlights

A number of citizens stepped up to the microphone to give their two cents about the noise caused by airplanes taking off from and landing at Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport in Dorval, especially in the early mornings and overnight. No matter what area the citizen was from, the mayor gave the same response to all the questions: “My participation on the noise level committee allows me to make suggestions, but every plane taking off and landing is controlled by the ADM and Transport Canada.” A letter to the ADM has been sent by the mayor to highlight the demands and concerns addressed by the residents.

A resident of the Toupin sector raised concerns about speeding traffic in her area and suggested the borough install speed bumps to slow down the cars. The mayor, however, did not seem to agree and said further studies are required to determine the best solution.

The borough awarded a $266,328 contract to Pavages Tallarita Canada to redo the tennis court surface at Gohier Park. This will be the first step in renovating the park, following a public consultation that took place in June. In all, five of the borough’s tennis courts will be redone.

Under the continuing theme of revitalizing the borough’s green spaces, the wading pool at Grou Park will be demolished to make way for improvements. The project will cost $165,322.

The borough will be negotiating a possible property-swap for a lot on Thiemens Boulevard and another opposite Ouimet Street. The parking lot on the latter property belongs to the school commission, which approved the swap at its council meeting held the same evening. The exchange would allow St. Laurent to acquire a parking lot near Décarie Boulevard.

The borough approved a $1,000 donation to the Canadian Emergency Fund for Greece to help the victims of the forest fires that ravaged their country this summer.

Mayors must give a report on the financial situation of their borough at least four weeks before presenting the new budget to the executive committee. DeSousa highlighted two main points: the start of strategic planning and the review of services, activities, operations, and programs.

DeSousa referred to details of the 2006 budget followed by an overview of 2007 and the projects underway, as well as projections for 2008.

Residents can consult the mayor’s report on St. Laurent’s financial situation of 2006 on the borough’s website at www.ville.montreal.qc.ca .

Translated by Elyse Amend