Borough council highlights

Calm after the storm, not really, at least not at the general meeting of the borough council. On a very mild January 8, many citizens had still fresh in mind the recent snowstorms and they took the opportunity to ask Mayor Alan DeSousa about the snow removal process that followed those storms. The opening of Cavendish was once again discussed, contracts were awarded, call for tenders were authorized and a law enacting a loan of $10 millions for the development of parks was adopted.

Residents from the Bois-franc area and members of Enfants-du-Monde School establishment council came to ask Mayor DeSousa why Cavendish Boulevard won’t be opening on Toupin Boulevard. He replied that the main objective of the opening is to facilitate the link between the northern and the southern parts of the borough, but can’t result in a traffic increase in other areas, like around Toupin Boulevard.

Another citizen than mentioned that the Enfants-du-Monde School can only be reached by two paths from the Bois-franc neighbourhood. “Everyday, it takes me at least 30 minutes to get my kids to school and to pick them up. I’m wondering why Saint-Exupéry is not open immediately,” she added. Mr. DeSousa answered saying the council decided in agreement with the citizens back in 2003 that Saint-Exupéry Avenue will be open at the same time as Cavendish Boulevard. “I’m asking you to be patient, my role is to do all I can to help everybody. I’m not Solomon and I won’t cut the baby in half,” said the mayor of St. Laurent.

The few residents of the Toupin sector present seemed happy to hear Mr. DeSousa explain why Cavendish Boulevard won’t directly open on their neighbourhood. At the same time, they also asked the mayor to act right away in an attempt to diminish traffic on Toupin Boulevard. Annie Paquette suggested that the traffic lights in the area should be reprogrammed, but Mr. DeSousa quickly replied that nothing will be done until the report is handed in by the consultation firm. A preliminary report should be available by spring.

A contract of $72,999.99 was awarded to Gravel Formation for the services of a coordinator in urban security.

The borough authorized a public call for tenders for the water treatment operating systems works of public pools for the next three years and for the cleaning and painting of pools, wading pools and fountains.

Four Laurentian community organisations received subsidies to help finance their 2008 activities. The Oasis de Saint-Laurent was awarded $1000; the Place Benoit Bon Courage community center received $30,500; $5000 were given to the Maison des jeunes de Saint-Laurent and the Centre d’action bénévole et communautaire de Saint-Laurent got $14,000.