An information kiosk on vehicle theft was set up at Place Rosemère to make vehicle owners aware of the importance of protecting themselves with some practical advice.
The RIPTB ( Régie intermunicipale de police Thérèse-De Blainville) launched on April 12th a project to counter vehicle theft. The territory covered by the Régie de police, as everywhere in Quebec, has experienced a significant increase in vehicle thefts over the past year. Since January 1, 2022, the RIPTB has counted several dozen vehicle theft files. This phenomenon is not local and targets the entire Quebec territory.
Thus, several collaboration and partnership initiatives between police forces are underway. Nevertheless, the RIPTB wished to put forward local actions in order to prevent thefts on its territory.
Proactive strategies: actions put in place
“Among these actions, the neighborhood agents will go directly to the citizens who own the targeted vehicles and a personalized awareness document will be given to them. A prevention kiosk was held at Place Rosemère on April 14 from noon to 4 p.m., additional police presence will be deployed in shopping center parking lots, a rigorous proactive strategy analysis is carried out daily and finally, several actions and investigative steps will be carried out during this project” explained Chief Inspector Serge Harvey.
The RIPTB therefore encourages citizens to be vigilant and to put in place preventive measures by reducing the opportunities and risks of theft. Prevention tips directly related to this theft phenomenon:
Be sure to keep your vehicle key away from the front door;
Purchase a special anti-radiation case for your car key or place your keys in a metal box;
Equip your vehicle with an alarm system;
Install an anti-theft bar to block the steering wheel;
Equip your vehicle with a tracking system;
Park your vehicle in a garage or in a well-lit area;
Leave a vehicle behind your vehicle, to make escape harder;
The simultaneous application of several of these tips makes the crime more difficult to commit and thus helps to deter thieves. The RIPTB therefore requests everyone’s cooperation in order to prevent vehicle theft.
Mayor Liza Poulin surrounded by councilors Michèle Murray (Renaissance district) and Marie-Claude Perron (Fontainebleau district)
On the 13th of April 2022 the City of Blainville launched its infrastructure work program for 2022. With “It’s worth the detour” as their theme, this program totals $19.6 million, but the cost has been reduced to $13.5 million due to government subsidies. The most imposing project will be carried out in the sector of exit no. 24 of Highway 640 to improve traffic flow and user safety, particularly that of young people who attend surrounding educational institutions.
“Our administration invests significant sums in the quality of life of the citizens of Blainville. We are in action to maintain the quality of our water supply and sewer system, to ensure safety in our travels, to improve the condition of our streets and our municipal buildings and to improve certain parks,” said Mayor Liza Poulin.
Redevelopment of Chemin du Bas-de-Sainte-Thérèse, at the intersection of Autoroute 640 East
Carried out in collaboration with the Ministère des Transports du Québec, this project led by the City consists of improving traffic safety and fluidity at the intersection of exit no. 24 − Montée Lesage − Chemin du Bas‑de‑Sainte‑Thérèse of Highway 640, eastbound, and Chemin du Bas‑de‑Sainte‑Thérèse. The work will be carried out between the beginning of May and the end of December 2022. It consists of:
Widening Chemin du Bas-de-Sainte-Thérèse to two lanes in each direction for approximately 400 meters;
Widening of the ramp from exit no. 24 of Autoroute 640, eastbound, and add a right-turn lane with a diverter island, at the intersection of Chemin du Bas-de-Sainte-Thérèse;
Extending the multipurpose trail located south of Chemin du Bas-de-Sainte-Thérèse;
Redeveloping the ramp leading from Chemin du Bas-de-Sainte-Thérèse to Highway 640, eastbound;
Adding two traffic lights on chemin du Bas-de-Sainte-Thérèse;
Redesigning the access to the Montessori International school leading to chemin du Bas-de-Sainte-Thérèse, which will be aligned with the redesigned entrance ramp to Highway 640, eastbound;
Building a sanitary pumping station;
And extending the water and sewer networks.
“These works will make the intersection safer and will improve fluidity in a key sector. In addition, the multipurpose path will promote our active mobility and facilitate travel,” said Renaissance District Councillor Michèle Murray.
“The completion of this work will have a definite impact on traffic, on each side of the 640, depending on the different phases of construction. The work will be carried out partly during the summer season in order to limit the negative effects. I thank drivers in advance for their patience,” added Fontainebleau District Councillor Marie-Claude Perron.
The City is the prime contractor for this project and is paying for most of the work to the tune of $8.9 million. The Ministère des Transports du Québec, for its part, is responsible for drawing up the plans and specifications, installing the lighting system and paying for the paving and maintenance of the highway access ramps. 640.
Water supply and sewer network
Several works in the 2022 program will concern the sewer and water supply network. The City is investing $11 million to maintain the network, make occasional repairs, inspect the sewers and upgrade the pumping station on rue du Castillo.
Work in certain parks
Various redevelopments will take place at Dubreuil and des As parks this summer.
In Parc Dubreuil, the game modules will be replaced as well as the street furniture. The paving of the multipurpose surface and its access will also be redone in certain places.
At the Parc des As, two spring modules will be added for children aged 0-5. The borders will be redone and the entrance to the park on rue des Écus will be more visible.
In the Fontainebleau district, a path with wooden footbridges will be laid out in the ravines after the revegetation phase which will follow the work to stabilize the embankments in the ravines.
The city will also carry out repair work on bike paths and pedestrian crossings near Maurice-Tessier park (repair of the bike path), on rue Arthur-Buies (repair of the passage to boulevard du Curé-Labelle) and on rue de Caplan (repair of the passage to the Sainte-Thérèse high school).
Road repairs
Finally, several streets or thoroughfares will be subject to repair work during the summer season including Boulevard Céloron, Boulevard de Fontainebleau, Rue Maurice -Cullen, Chemin du Bas-de-Sainte-Thérèse, 54e Avenue Ouest, Rue de Gatineau and Boulevard de Chambéry. Speed moderation measures will also be installed on certain streets according to the recommendations of the traffic committee.
It is that time of the year. Snow has melted leaving behind a wintery mess. For the Theresians of Sainte-Thérèse it means that the City has undertaken its spring cleaning. This operation led by the Public Works, Parks and Buildings Department allows will work so that the residents find a clean, pleasant and safe environment in order to make the most of the summer season.
The teams carry out, among other things, the sweeping of streets, medians and cycle paths, as well as the cleaning of the Village. Mechanical sweepers remove rocks and debris that have accumulated on the ground during the winter. This operation can be repeated several times in order to obtain the desired cleanliness. In addition, swings have been installed in the parks to the delight of the young Theresians. The skating rink strips will be removed as soon as the ground conditions allow it. A little later in the season, the marking of cycle paths and the installation of bollards will follow.
“I salute the work of our employees in the field. Thanks to them, we find the joy of playing in the park, cycling and walking on well-maintained roads. We are all excited to take advantage of the good weather that is setting in, thank you to all the teams who make these moments even more pleasant,” said the mayor of Sainte-Thérèse, Mr. Christian Charron.
Damage caused by snow removal
With snowmelt, it is possible to see damage to property or land caused by snow removal operations. If this happens, citizens must notify the Public Works, Parks and Buildings Department before May 1, so that it can proceed with the repairs: By email at travauxpublics@sainte‑therese.ca and by phone at 450 434-1440, ext. 2100. The necessary verifications will be carried out to confirm that the damage was caused by municipal equipment or by that of the company hired by the City in the northern sector of Sainte-Thérèse, and not by a private snow remover, in which case they would not be not covered.
Potholes
The pothole repair operation is also underway in Sainte-Thérèse. Teams fill with cold asphalt the holes that have formed in the roadway over the spring freeze and thaw. Potholes are a direct result of the Quebec climate and they resurface every spring. The most convenient way to report a pothole is to use the Voilà!
Many property owners have come across this situation: A dead tree in their yard needs felling. In Rosemere however, which is a very environmentally-conscious city, you have to go about cutting down a tree properly in order to minimize the effect on the environment.
A free permit is required.
To obtain a Certificate of Authorization for tree cutting, the form duly completed by the owner must be sent to the Permits and Inspections Department. The trees to be cut or inspected must be clearly identified with tape, a detailed sketch or by attaching a photo to the form. After transmission to the Permits and Inspections Department, the inspection of the tree(s) will take place within 2 weeks. If the application is accepted, the permit (free of charge) will be left on site. When the planting of a replacement tree is required, proof of replacement (photos, invoices) must also be submitted before the scheduled date. Before ordering work on trees, residents must check the liability insurance of the company that will carry it out and ask for references. You can find certified contractors through the SIAQ at the following website : www.siaq.org
Trees and your neighbors
Trees are considered immovable property under civil law. Therefore, a tree belongs to the owner of the property on which it stands. On the other hand, a tree is also an integral part of the community landscape. If a tree is a serious nuisance to a neighbour, the owner may be required to remedy the situation. Serious nuisance refers to a real and relatively significant problem.
For example, a large dead branch overhanging the neighbour’s house could damage the roof of that home. On the other hand, leaves or fruit falling from a tree into the neighbour’s pool may be annoying, but are not considered serious. The reason is that a pool requires regular maintenance and its owner can remedy the situation by installing a protective cover.
According to the Québec Civil Code, no one can take the law into his own hands. You cannot cut down, in whole or in part, a tree that is not on your property. It is recommended that you speak with the neighbour involved in order to settle the problem. Should discussion be difficult or even impossible however, “Mesures alternatives des Basses-Laurentides” provides a mediation service that could be of help.
Tips on controlling the ldd moth population
The LDD moth (previously referred to as the “gypsy moth”) is a leaf-eating insect that has been wreaking havoc across Quebec in recent years. There are four different stages in its lifecycle: egg, larva, pupa and adult. LDD moths tend to prefer oaks, poplars and maples, but they can also be found on other deciduous or evergreen trees. LDD moth eggs are laid in masses and remain dormant between July and May. You can find these egg masses on trees, picnic tables, garden furniture, walls of buildings and other flat surfaces. To prevent them from hatching, scrape off the mass with a knife into a bucket of warm soapy water. During the larval stage, between May and July, you can wrap your tree trunks with duct tape (sticky side out) or tie a piece of burlap cloth around each trunk to stop the caterpillars from making their way up the tree and eating the leaves. As a last resort, you may choose to apply BTK, a low-impact insecticide. Spray affected trees in the early morning or late evening. Note, however, that BTK attacks all butterflies, so it should be used with great caution.
In the case of ice, should you intervene on trees?
In fact, a tree’s resistance to ice varies considerably from one variety to another, as well as one tree to the next. Certain characteristics can make a tree more vulnerable (ex: weak junctions between branches, bark included, cankers, existing injuries, etc.). The build-up of ice or wet snow combined with high winds can cause considerable damage, which can sometimes be prevented with good maintenance. One should know, however, that once the ice has taken, shaking the branches to try to dislodge it could be highly damageable to the bark and buds. Frozen trees are highly fragile and it is preferable to wait for them to thaw before repairing the damage. It’s better to let nature do its job.
Still, if residents must plant a new tree, they would do well to choose a variety that better withstands harsh weather conditions, like the bur oak, the ginkgo biloba, deerberry, white spruce, Norway spruce, blue spruce, bitternut hickory, crab apple, black walnut, American hophornbeam, balsam fir, etc. These trees have stronger branches or flexible side branches that better resist the ice. Special attention musy be paid as well to the variety’s vulnerability to pests and environmental stresses.
Why inspect trees in winter?
In summer, leaves conceal defects on the branches or trunk that could affect the tree’s strength or structure. This makes winter the ideal period for examining it closely, especially if:
you have seen animals nest in a cavity in the trunk or on a branch (like a family of raccoons)
your tree suffered significant breakage in previous years (large branches broken off)
you regularly find pieces of bark or wood on the ground
you have seen woodpecker holes
mushrooms (other than lichens) appear sporadically on the trunk.
Do not hesitate to call on the services of a expert if you feel that the tree could present a danger or requires preventive pruning.
The City of Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac announced its partnership with the organization Au Grenier populaire for the collection of used furniture and household appliances. This new agreement will therefore allow citizens to get rid of certain furniture free of charge thanks to the door-to-door collection service, while supporting a non-profit organization in the region.
Au Grenier populaire will collect furniture in good condition (not stained, torn or broken) as well as the following household appliances (functional or not): Refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, stove, washers, dryer, dehumidifier and water machines. Citizens wishing to dispose of certain items are invited to contact the organization directly by email in order to make an appointment. Please note that only requests sent by email to transport@grenierpopulaire.com will be processed.
Bell for clothing donations
A bell to collect material donations will also be installed at the municipal garage over the next few weeks. Citizens will therefore be able to drop off used clothing, shoes and accessories that they wish to dispose of. These second-hand items will then be sold at a low price at the popular Grenier store located in Saint-Eustache.
An ever-greener city
Thanks to this association, the City hopes to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill sites each year, while encouraging the recovery of furniture in good condition. The mayor, François Robillard, was delighted with this partnership: “We hope to encourage our citizens to give a second life to their furniture, by offering them a simple and accessible alternative, rather than simply throwing them away. This will allow us not only to reduce our ecological footprint, but also to become a greener city”.
About the Grenier populaire
Au Grenier populaire is a non-profit integration enterprise whose mission is to promote the social and professional integration of people in difficulty, in particular through its activities of recovery and recycling of used goods.
In the photo from left to right: Mr. Yves Roy, municipal councillor, Mr. Pierre Charron, mayor, Mr. Patrice Paquette, municipal councillor
The Saint-Eustache population is invited to participate in the second part of the public consultation in connection with the City’s Urban Mobility Plan. In this new exercise, citizens and business people are invited to share their priorities with respect to the road, pedestrian and cycling network, public transportation and travel safety. The survey will be available until April 24, 2022 at imaginons.saint-eustache.ca/mobilite.
With the Urban Mobility Plan, the City aims to adopt improved transport planning by following the best planning practices, to achieve a better balance of transport modes, and to identify the problems of connections on the territory as well as the gaps active mobility.
The first part of the project, carried out in the spring of 2021, looked at all the habits and concerns of the population on the issue, and aimed to understand what motivates mobility choices. The results, obtained using a survey and an interactive map, made it possible to establish the characteristics of mobility in the city. “Following the preliminary consultation last spring, we assessed the needs and requests that you expressed to us, which allowed us to identify the main issues regarding urban mobility and to establish the parameters of an action plan. We are therefore asking you one last time to find out your priorities and possible solutions in relation to this preliminary action plan. Your answers will allow us to build a mobility plan adapted to needs and able to meet them over the long term,” said the mayor of Saint-Eustache, Pierre Charron.
Essential participation
In addition to the survey, it will be possible to get involved by contributing to the Ideas Box, available in the Mobility of the Imaginons Saint-Eustache platform. “We created this platform in order to know the opinion, the motivations and the concerns of our population. When it comes to mobility on the territory, your opinion is essential in order to draw a portrait that comes as close as possible to reality. This consultation is a golden opportunity to make your voice heard and to contribute to the improvement of our city”, underlined Patrice Paquette, municipal councillor, president of the Commission on land use planning and housing.
As instituted by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Regions (MAMH), the City of Sainte-Thérèse has the obligation to detect and eliminate reversed connections in the municipal wastewater collection network. A reverse connection is defined as a connection or defect in equipment that allows sanitary wastewater to flow away from a domestic sewer system, either into a storm sewer system, on the ground, in a ditch or in a watercourse, while the building concerned is served by a domestic sewer system.
Smoke testing
Thus, the City of Sainte-Thérèse commissioned the firm Simo Management inc. in order to detect reversed connections on its territory. To do this, the firm will inject smoke into the sewer pipes in certain sectors of the city. As the sector identified is limited, the citizens concerned will receive a communication delivered directly to their homes to inform them. The tests will take place during the month of April and at the beginning of May 2022, weather permitting. The tests are of short duration, approximately 30 minutes.
The smoke cartridges give a non-toxic white smoke that does not leave any residue or debris. However, people with respiratory problems may still be bothered by inhaling the smoke. The injected smoke is not likely to enter homes, except in certain cases. If necessary, the introduction of smoke into a residence is generally done through the basement, from a drain or a foundation drain collection well. If this smoke enters residences, it can set off the smoke alarm. The city notifies the residents that if the smoke enters their house or basement, they should immediately notify the representative of the firm or the municipality who will be present outside.
To reduce the risk of introducing smoke into their residence, owners must ensure that the floor drain in the basement contains water and, if necessary, pour water into it. If smoke enters the house or basement, simply close the drain opening with a damp cloth pad. Smoke can also enter the house through the washer outlet pipe. It is therefore recommended to close the opening with a damp cloth whenever possible and to ventilate the house by opening the windows.
Taking exterior photos
Considering that the places through which the smoke escapes are often numerous and that these tests are of short duration, each of the sources of smoke must be photographed for report and compilation purposes. The city must therefore go to the back of a residence to obtain a favorable angle for taking photographs and asks for the resident’s cooperation so as not to interfere with the progress of the work.
Before, during and after the study, residents can obtain all relevant information at the following telephone numbers: 450 646-1903, ext. 2238 or 438 364-6775.
Brianna Fasoli from Saint-Eustache representing Chroma Musika team won second place singing Warrior by Demi Lovato
It was a night to remember! After lockdowns and restrictions to be able to enjoy once more a concert with so much young talent was such a breath of fresh air. Filtered through a mask of course since the audience complied with the current health measures.
On April 10th at John Rennie High School’s Louise Chalmers ultra-modern theatre, 48 singers aged 12-17 from 6 high schools and a vocal studio took the stage in solos, duos and ensemble numbers to raise awareness and funds for mental health at the Children’s. 20 solos were featured during the performance. At the end of the competition after a rousing Don’t stop believing sung by all the participants, Brianna Fasoli from Saint-Eustache representing Chroma Musika team won second place.
The event was hosted by a panel of music industry professionals including Mark Bergman and Catherine Verdon-Diamond (The Beat 92.5) and Jason Rockman (The Rockman, CHOM 97.7). This year’s theme was Songs of Hope and it was the first live event since the pandemic. Last year the fundraiser-song competition was held virtually. Before the show, Dr. Polymnia Galiatsatos a gastroenterologist from the Jewish General Hospital addressed the audience. Herself a major supporter and volunteer of the event, Dr. Galiatsatos, emphasized the importance of the fundraiser not just as a physician but as a parent of 4 children.
Raising funds for mental health
Cory Garfinkle, the concert’s organizer said that the Just for Kids Foundation raises funds to purchase high-priority medical equipment for the Montreal Children’s Hospital, and to support initiatives that improve the quality of care for its patients. Hospitals rely on foundations such as Just for Kids to help close the gap between basic government funding and much needed medical equipment and programs.
One of their funding projects this year continues to be Mental Health. Just for Kids is funding a social worker specializing in mental health for the ER. Faced with waiting lists of more than 180 days for follow-up, young people and their families are increasingly turning to hospital emergency departments in a cry for help to deal with issues ranging from anxiety to depression to suicidal ideation. According to the Children’s, from 2020 to 2021, there was a 40% increase in mental health related hospitalizations for children ages 12 to 17.
Brianna wins second place
Brianna Fasoli is a vocal student at Chroma Musika studios which specialize in youth vocal training in Boisbriand and Ville Saint-Laurent. At the night of the performance, she interpreted a 90 second segment of Warrior by Demi Lovato.
“In all honesty I was a little shocked to have won in JFK Voices, let alone second place; not because I doubted my abilities, but because I had witnessed the unbelievable talent amongst whom I was being judged. Yet I am so honored and overjoyed to have been tied for second place as it showed me that I can stand out in a crowd; even an ultra-talented one. Despite being in competition with one another, all the performers were so supportive of each other. There was just such a positive atmosphere backstage, it was so awesome to be in a room of artists cheering each other on. That’s why though I am so happy that I won, I am even happier that I got to be part of this experience as a whole. The fact that it was a fundraising event for a subject close to my heart, made it all the more worthwhile. Making sure mental health resources are available to vulnerable children and teens in need, is a very important issue for me. I have seen many of my friends deal with mental health issues and sometimes not have any true outlet to turn to. In the world that we are currently living in, I find that more and more kids of my generation need to have proper mental health resources available to them. That is why fundraisers like this one are critical and I am just really delighted that I was able to contribute to this worthy cause in some way.” said Brianna in an interview with North Shore News.
$38,603 raised so far
Up to now, via a very intuitive online fundraising platform where people can support the different teams with their donations, 367 donations have been made totaling $38,603. Chroma Musika vocal studios came first with its members fundraising $4,155.00 followed by Vincent Massey Clef Notes from John Rennie High School, Kuper Academy, ECS, Bialik High School and Collège Pasteur. On the individual level Alexis Côté, a young rapper who performed a French rap composed by him and his mom, raised $2,600.
1st place winner was Veronica Setiadi, 2nd place was shared by Alya Khalid & Brianna Fasoli and the 3rd place winner was Caleb Johnston. The event organizers rewarded all the participants and their teachers with a multitude of prizes. It was an added bonus from the sponsors of the event, making for an unforgettable experience for those young performers.
Chroma Musika vocal studios (Boisbriand) came first with its members fundraising $4,155.00
The current issue of The North Shore News volume 18-13 published April 22nd, 2022. Covering North Shore local news, politics, sports and other newsworthy events. (Click HERE to read the paper.)
Front page of The North Shore News, April 22nd, 2022 issue.
The City of Sainte-Thérèse and the Groupement des Entreprises de Sainte-Thérèse (GEST) of the Thérèse-De Blainville Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCITB) are reminding customers of the Village’s bars and restaurants of the availability of Responsible Driving stickers whose impaired faculties would make driving a vehicle illegal and dangerous.
The City of Sainte-Thérèse and the Groupement des Entreprises de Sainte-Thérèse (GEST) of the Thérèse-De Blainville Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCITB) are reminding customers of the Village’s bars and restaurants of the availability of Responsible Driving stickers whose impaired faculties would make driving a vehicle illegal and dangerous.
Introduced in 2019, these temporary single-use stickers allow motorists who cannot drive their vehicle due to impaired faculties to leave it in one of the municipal parking spaces bounded by Turgeon, Dubois, Saint-Joseph and Blainville West streets. Placed in plain view on the dashboard, the Responsible Driving sticker authorizes the vehicle to be parked in a restricted space during the night and during the day until 6 p.m., on the date indicated on the sticker, without being exposed to the issuance of a ticket.
For her part, Marie-Chantale Desjardins, president of the GEST and owner of the Prohibition Beer Bar, emphasizes the responsibility of customers: “If they are planning a festive evening with us, most of our customers have a designated driver or do not take their car. I am impressed by their awareness. The sticker is mainly offered when a customer had not planned to consume beyond the legal limit for driving,” says the instigator of the project. “Nearly 200 stickers have been issued over the past three years. So that’s the same number of people that we may have prevented from driving while impaired. I am very proud that the City of Sainte-Thérèse and the establishments of the Village can offer this responsible alternative,” she said.
“With the latest easing of sanitary measures, many customers are starting to visit the bars and restaurants of Sainte-Thérèse again. How nice to find life again and see the Village come alive! But it is important to remember that several options are available to you when you are unable to drive, and the responsible driving sticker is one of them. I would also like to highlight the collaboration with the GEST in this matter, which allows us to place the safety of citizens and visitors as a priority,” added the mayor of the City of Sainte-Thérèse, Mr. Christian Charron.
The sticker is available at participating establishments in the Village:
Brasserie Artisanale Le Saint-Graal, Hôtel Blainville, Cha Cha, Maison François, Restaurant Campagna, Deux, Prohibition Bar à bières, Arousse, Le Monte Cristo, L’Atelier Sushi, Le Cabaret BMO Sainte-Thérèse, Arousse, L’Atelier Sushi and Le Cabaret BMO Sainte-Thérèse
