Several public safety resolutions passed at MRC meeting

Several public safety resolutions passed at MRC meeting

At the MRC Pontiac council of mayors meeting last week, council passed a number of resolutions related to public safety. MRC Fire and Public Safety Coordinator Julien Gagnon gave CHIP 101.9 more details about these various issues.

Power outages

The first resolution on the agenda had was related to the extended power outages that hit the region in February following an ice storm. Council approved a resolution to be sent to authorities in the provincial government as well Hydro Quebec requesting that the crown corporation improve brush cutting along lines in the area, as well as improving their communications and cooperation with neighbouring providers like Hydro One.

Speed limit in Waltham

Council sent a resolution to the provincial ministry of transport requesting that the section of Hwy. 148 passing through Waltham be reduced from 90 km/h to 70 km/h. Gagnon explained that it had been a long-standing issue in the community, as school buses and ATVs routinely use this curved section of road, leading to potential safety issues.

Off-road rescue equipment

Council also approved a resolution to move some of the MRC’s off-road rescue equipment from the Pontiac West Fire Service  to the Pontiac North Fire Department in Otter-Lake. Gagnon said that they had seen a larger number of off-road rescue calls in that area, and decided the equipment would be better placed there.