Retail businesses in La Nation will soon be able to open on statutory holidays.
At its May 10 meeting, council agreed to grant businesses the option to open under the Retail Business Holidays Act.
According to Manager of Municipal Law Enforcement Mario Hautocoeur, the owners of businesses which contain LCBO convenience outlets made a request to be allowed to open on holidays.
Convenience outlets are where liquor, wine, and beer are sold in a privately-owned business under agreement with the LCBO, rather than at an LCBO owned and operated store. In La Nation, there are LCBO convenience outlets at private retail stores in St-Albert and Limoges. St-Isidore has a liquor store directly owned and operated by the LCBO.
“Does this by-law oblige businesses to open, or to open only if they desire?” asked Councillor Marie-Noëlle Lanthier.
Hautocoeur said that businesses would not be obligated to open and could remain closed on statutory holidays if the owners wished.
Business park revenue pays for paving
The La Nation Planning Department received a request to pave 125 metres of the Pommainville Sideroad to improve dust control.
The paving will cost approximately $12,000, however the amount was not included in La Nation’s 2021 budget. Public Works Director Marc Legault consulted with Treasurer Cécile Maisonneuve, who suggested the paving costs could be covered by revenue from lot sales in the Innovation Business Park.
On May 10, council agreed and approved the recommendation to use revenue from business park lot sales to pave 125 metres of Pommainville Sideroad.
Asphalt savings means more roads will be paved
On May 10, Legault informed La Nation council that low asphalt prices have led to a $247,050 savings in the 2021 capital budget already approved by council.
Due to the savings, Legault recommended $246,720 be spent on paving three roads, which will extend their surface life by 25 years.
Council approved paving 1,800 metres of Concession 17 west of County Road 9 at a cost of $108,000. On Dixon Factory Road, 1,300 metres will be paved at a cost of $88,000, and 800 metres of Concession 14 east of County Road 16 will be paved at a cost of $49,920.
Civic addressing fee increase
On May 10, La Nation council approved an increase to the fee property owners pay to have a civic address number installed.
According to Legault, the price the municipality must pay its supplier of the signage, posts, and other hardware required for the address has increased to $103.34 per property, which is $114.51 after the sales tax is added.
La Nation had charged property owners $100 to have a civic address marker installed. Legault recommended it be increased to $130 to account for the increased cost of the materials. Council agreed and adopted the recommendation.
