A total of $175,000 was awarded by the borough council for the development of Place Benoit.
(Photo: Sylvain Sarrazin)
Borough council highlights
At the beginning of the May 6 general meeting of the borough council, the warm sun rays could be felt in the room, like summer was already here. It seemed it had an impact on the type of recommendations on the agenda since call for tenders regarding the construction of wading pools; the development of parks and the collection of green waste were authorized.
Fed-up with flies
During the public question period, a citizen told the council that the vacant lot at the corner of Décarie Boulevard and Poirier Street was beginning to look like a small pond where flies like to hang out. Mayor DeSousa confirmed that he was aware of the situation and that the land owner had already been informed that he needed to take care of his property if nothing was to be built on it. He was given a May deadline and as Mr. DeSousa said, “it’s now time to do something about it.”
Still noisy
Two borough residents also reminded the council that the planes flying over their heads were still giving them a hard time to sleep and the situation was perhaps worst than before. “Why did they change track 24’s trajectory? It was better before,” asked one of them. The mayor explained that Aéroports de Montréal’s (ADM) data showed enough improvement to justify the most recent changes.
The other citizen requested that Mr. DeSousa put more pressure on the Comité consultatif sur la gestion du climat sonore d’ADM to collect noise-level data during rush hour in her neighbourhood. “I want one of their trucks to come here, so we can see exactly what the levels are and not just an average.”
On May 8, approximately 60 people from all over Montreal, including St. Laurent, showed up that Comité consultative meeting. The initiative was spearheaded by the Citoyens pour une qualité de vie group, which wanted to manifest their discontent regarding the decisions taken by ADM.
Got some green wastes? St. Laurent wants them
Throughout the months of September and October, the borough will begin his new three-year green waste collecting program. A public call for tenders for the collection and transportation in residential building was authorized.
White is almost green
The Borough City Hall’s roof needs some repairs, so why not make it an environment-friendly green roof? “We did some analysis and unfortunately we can’t,” said Mr. DeSousa. “However, it will be painted white so the roof don’t soak up the sun's radiation and re-emit it as heat.” The $318,488 contract was awarded to Les toitures Continental.
Still in a green state of mind, the borough will be part of a pilot project where some of the trucks will be powered with biodiesel.
No more junk food at the rink
Junk food will no longer be served at Raymond-Bourque arena since the public call for tenders authorized by the council for the operation of a restaurant and vending machines requires a healthy food menu.
$175,000 for Place Benoit
A $25,000 subsidy was awarded to the Place Benoit’s Bon Courage Community Center for an intervention project with the senior citizens living in the area. The Comité des organismes sociaux de Saint-Laurent (COSSL) was also granted a $134,000 financial aid by the council to support its integrated urban revitalization project at Place Benoit. Finally, a $17,000 subsidy was awarded to the COSSL by the City to support the Quartier 21 program. The borough will also pitch-in $28,000 for this initiative.
A one-of-a-kind winter
Additional credits transfers were authorized for the exceptional costs of the snow-clearing operation of last winter. The objective was to stabilize the budget and to ensure that the borough won’t be in deficit at the end of the year.
Brand-new sidewalks coming soon
As part of the street renovation program, Ciments Lavallée ltée was awarded a $745,000 contract for sidewalks and curbs repairing works on various streets.
(Photo: Sylvain Sarrazin)
Météo: Montréal, 8 août 2008 / 19°C
/ Faibles averses de pluie
/ Vents: 6 Km/h / Humidité relative: 83 % 
par Pascal LeBlanc 
Steven Guilbeault - Chronique environnement
Richard Cléroux - Le fouineur politique
