Despite being home to a rather small population, the municipality managed to develop a few major projects since the last election cycle, while keeping taxes roughly the same, explained Mayor Jim Gibson.

One priority for the municipality was roadwork, having redone three roads since last term. In 2019, the municipality repaved chemin du Collin for a price of $130,000. In 2019, parts of McConnell Road were redone for roughly $20,000. And in 2020, Church Road was repaved for a price of $145,000.

All three road projects were funded by money received through the Federal Gas Tax fund. The municipality also received $15,000 from the provincial PAU1 road assistance program grant to add gravel on Madore Street and Soleil Street.

The municipality also changed four culverts on McConnell Road, chemin du Collin and Centre Street for a combined cost of roughly $31,000, which was also paid for by the gas tax.

Besides roadwork, the municipality also added a 14 foot addition to the municipal garage in 2019, so that more equipment could be housed in the building and workers would have more space to work. Gibson explained that the project allowed the municipality to save money because it reduces how often they need to outsource work on municipal vehicles.

“It needed to be done because we were having to send the vehicles out even for oil changes and all that,” said Mayor Gibson. “We expanded the garage so our own guys can do all that stuff.”

Recreation

The municipality also added new siding and a new steel roof to the municipal garage. Altogether, the cost of the improvements was $110,000. Last year, the municipality purchased a used truck for municipal workers to use on the job, which costs about $7,000.

The municipality expanded the chalet in the local campgrounds in 2019, adding new washrooms, a new washing and drying area, as well as insulating and putting siding on the additions. Altogether, the project cost roughly $125,000.

Gibson explained that in recent years, the campgrounds have made the municipality a small profit, which has been reinvested into the grounds.

“We try to run the campground as a separate entity, we don’t want to get into a position where the taxpayers and municipality have to pay anything towards it,” said Gibson. “Anything we end up with at the end of the year is put back into it. So that we’re improving their campgrounds all the time.”

He added that the campgrounds income went up from $43,000 to $63,000 in the last two years, which has been used to help pay the wages of two workers.

The municipality continued to develop James Henry Madore park, adding a new fence around the park’s perimeter.

“All the kids go there now, so it’s a gathering spot for them,” said Gibson.

“I think it’s been very progressive, and we’ve done a lot of work in the last four years,” said Gibson. “I’m very happy with what’s being done. And I hope that the new council will continue.”

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