Mayor reflects on past year for East Hawkesbury
The year 2017 had its good times and bad times for East Hawkesbury Township according to Mayor Robert Kirby.
“It was a big year,” said Mayor Kirby during a January 5 phone interview. He added that the municipality received close to $1 million in provincial government funding for the Grande Montée road repair project.
“That’s completed now,” he said. The Mill Street rehabilitation project also benefitted from $100,000 in senior government infrastructure support mentioned Mayor Kirby.
The biggest downside for the municipality was at the township office when the chief administrator resigned. Later, he recalled, two other senior staff members retired. “It’s been a nightmare,” said Mayor Kirby, regarding the upheaval in staffing at the township office, “because of retirements and other complications.” All the vacant positions have been refilled now.
Mayor Kirby noted one bit of good news on the staffing situation. Ron Symington, the township’s veteran building inspector, has offered to postpone his official retirement plans to help the new building inspector settle into the position and familiarize himself with the municipality and its residents.
“Which is very much appreciated,” said Mayor Kirby. “He (Symington) will be missed. He got along well with the people. In his 10 years with us, I did not have one single complaint about that man.”
Looking ahead with the start of 2018, Mayor Kirby sees securing senior government infrastructure grants as a leading priority again. “We’re hoping to get some grants,” he said. Upgrades to the septic systems for the villages of Saint-Eugène and Chute-àBlondeau are on the top of the capital works program for the township.
The mayor also hopes to see the municipal office setup upgraded with upgraded computer equipment and software. Such an investment will help better manage township business.