To date, the Municipality\u2019s audited financial statements have still not been submitted to the Minist\u00e8re des Affaires municipales et de l\u2019Habitation (MAMH).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yet, Quebec\u2019s Municipal Code requires that the financial report and the external auditor\u2019s report be submitted to the Minister no later than June 30 of each year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We are now at the end of September.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nearly three months after the deadline, residents are still waiting to be able to review their municipality\u2019s audited financial results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the September 8 municipal council meeting, it was announced that the containers on Mill Street would be moved the following week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two weeks later, they are still in the same place<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fortunately, a specialized firm has been hired to work on the layout of the four containers. It remains to be seen when the situation will actually be resolved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is still no announcement or information<\/strong> regarding the new welcome signs at the entrances to the village.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yet, enhancing the village entrances as \u201cidentity gateways\u201d is one of the important objectives outlined in Section 4.2.6 of the Master Plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since the contract has already been authorized, one question remains: where does the project stand?<\/p>\n\n\n\n The contract for the construction of the new Pleasant View building was awarded for $4.08 million<\/strong>, despite concerns expressed by several residents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the municipal newsletter, this investment is described as a \u201clong-awaited\u201d community project<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, several questions remain unanswered:<\/p>\n\n\n\n As they say: things seem to be frozen!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Approximately $235,000 has already been spent on the project. We\u2019ll continue to follow the file to learn more about the timeline for the next steps and the final cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n More than $10,000<\/strong> appears to have been spent on renting portable toilets that, apparently, have experienced their fair share of operational problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As they say: things just won\u2019t get unstuck!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Work is moving along well. And there\u2019s some good news: trees are expected to be planted in the area at the developer\u2019s expense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Perhaps those trees will also help hide the containers!<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to Ms. Gerrish, the drinking fountain at Parc de la Rivi\u00e8re is very well marked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Granted, it is difficult to miss the many signs for the market\u2026 but when it comes to signage showing people where to find the drinking fountains, let\u2019s just say there is still room for improvement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Try finding them yourself!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n One inspector is currently away for an indefinite period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n During the absence, two inspectors from EXP are providing replacement services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It appears that a man have been authorized to sell slush drinks and candy at Parc de la Rivi\u00e8re.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This raises questions, as this type of commercial activity would reportedly be prohibited during the F\u00eate nationale in order to comply with the conditions associated with the Dreamland property bequest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A request for information regarding the authorization granted was submitted to the Municipality, but no response has yet been received.<\/p>\n\n\n\n North Hatley could soon have three commercial kitchens located in municipally owned buildings:<\/p>\n\n\n\n It would be interesting to know the objectives, costs and intended uses of each of these facilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Municipality has also purchased a block of hours from the Cain Lamarre law firm in order to obtain, in the words used, \u201cgood advice.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n It remains to be seen how many hours will be used, for which matters, and at what cost to taxpayers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n North Hatley has also looked into prohibiting door-to-door solicitation within the municipality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another issue to follow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Several projects are moving forward, while others appear to be progressing more slowly \u2014 or not at all. But one thing is certain: there is no shortage of issues to keep an eye on in North Hatley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Beyond the projects themselves, the same questions continue to come up: costs, timelines, decisions being made and, above all, the information being provided to residents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In my view, there is a clear lack of transparency and a lack of willingness on the part of our elected officials to listen to the residents they represent.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Financial Statements: Still Pending To date, the Municipality\u2019s audited financial statements have still not been submitted to the Minist\u00e8re des Affaires municipales et de l\u2019Habitation (MAMH). Yet, Quebec\u2019s Municipal Code requires that the financial report and the external auditor\u2019s report be submitted to the Minister no later than June 30 of each year. We are […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3720,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[19,36],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8873","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-municipality-en","category-opinion-en-2"],"yoast_head":"\n
\n\n\n\nWelcome Signs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nPleasant View: A $4.08 Million Project<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n\n\n\nRefrigerated Skating Rink<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nPortable Toilets<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nConstruction on Mill Street<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nDrinking Fountain at Parc de la Rivi\u00e8re<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nUrban Planning Department<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nSales Permit at Parc de la Rivi\u00e8re<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nThree Municipal Commercial Kitchens<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n\n\n\nLegal Services<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nAnd Finally\u2026 Door-to-Door Solicitation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nConclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n