St-Célestin public meetings in 2025
18 substantive meetings from 2025, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Conseil municipal
The council unanimously adopted three bylaws: a building occupancy and maintenance bylaw (2025-04), a working capital fund bylaw (2025-06) setting a maximum of $300,000, and a bylaw for work on branch 16 of the Moise-Poirier watercourse (2025-06) charging $1,205.83 to Ferme Longval inc. It also gave notice of motion for the 2026 taxation bylaw, approved accounts payable totaling $397,158.78, hired firefighter Christophe Raymond, appointed Jean-Marc Leclerc to the urbanism advisory committee, approved distribution of the 2026 budget document, endorsed GROBEC's well-water project, and contributed $600 to the firefighters' Christmas party.
- Adopted Bylaw 2025-04 on building occupancy and maintenance (unanimous)
- Adopted Bylaw 2025-05 creating a working capital fund capped at $300,000 (unanimous)
- Adopted Bylaw 2025-06 for work on branch 16 of Moise-Poirier watercourse, charging $1,205.83 to Ferme Longval inc. (unanimous)
- Approved accounts payable: $316,968.24 paid since last meeting and $80,190.54 in new invoices (unanimous)
- Hired Christophe Raymond as a firefighter (unanimous)
- Appointed Jean-Marc Leclerc as citizen member of the urbanism advisory committee (unanimous)
- Approved distribution of the 2026 budget and three-year capital plan document to all addresses (unanimous)
- Contributed $600 to the firefighters' Christmas party (unanimous)
Conseil municipal
The council unanimously adopted the 2026 budget with total revenues of $2,166,310 and expenses of $1,911,625, and also approved the 2026-2028 capital program (PTI) covering projects such as culvert replacements, water system studies, and road paving. No citizens attended the question period.
- Adopted 2026 budget (unanimous)
- Adopted 2026-2028 capital program (PTI) (unanimous)
Conseil municipal
The council unanimously adopted the second draft of Bylaw 2025-04, which sets standards for building occupancy and maintenance to prevent deterioration and protect structural integrity. The bylaw includes inspection powers, penalties for non-compliance, and specific requirements for vacant buildings. The council also approved a $311,313.98 payment for culvert work on Rang Saint-Joseph, set the 2026 interest rate at 15% for overdue debts, and authorized the mayor to attend the Femmélue symposium.
- Adopted Bylaw 2025-04 on building occupancy and maintenance (unanimous)
- Approved $311,313.98 payment to Alide Bergeron et Fils ltée for culvert work on Rang Saint-Joseph (unanimous)
- Set 2026 interest rate at 15% for municipal debts (unanimous)
- Appointed council members to committees (unanimous)
- Authorized mayor's participation in Femmélue symposium, covering $100 registration plus expenses (unanimous)
- Adopted MRC Nicolet-Yamaska 2026 budget with municipal share of $95,631 (unanimous)
- Approved 2026 council meeting schedule (unanimous)
- Hired Charles Gardner as firefighter (unanimous)
Conseil municipal
The council unanimously adopted the first draft of Bylaw 2025-04, a new regulation on building occupancy and maintenance, required by provincial law before April 2026. The bylaw sets standards to prevent deterioration, protect buildings from weather, and preserve structural integrity, with fines up to $250,000 for heritage properties. Council also approved a $23,194.24 septic system grant for 240, rang du Pays-Brûlé, and awarded a $64,736.76 contract for culvert plans on rang Saint-Joseph.
- Adopted first draft of Bylaw 2025-04 on building occupancy and maintenance (unanimous).
- Approved $23,194.24 financial aid for septic work at 240, rang du Pays-Brûlé (unanimous).
- Set 2026 municipal employee salary increase at 3.3% based on Quebec CPI (unanimous).
- Appointed Councillor Mathieu Beauchamp Filion as acting mayor and MRC substitute (unanimous).
- Closed municipal office from December 17, 2025 to January 6, 2026 (unanimous).
- Donated $250 to École Marquis for its Christmas dinner (unanimous).
- Set 2026 fire service share for Village Saint-Célestin at $73,837.40 (unanimous).
- Awarded $64,736.76 contract to Services EXP inc. for culvert plans on rang Saint-Joseph (unanimous).
Conseil municipal
The council unanimously adopted a resolution demanding that Quebec's Transport Ministry confirm a work schedule for the Highway 55 twinning project with full service by 2028, implement measures to avoid further delays, provide transparent updates, and recognize the project as a regional priority. The resolution will be sent to the ministers and local MNA. The council also gave notice of a bylaw (2025-03) for a drinking-water environmental assistance program, hired firefighter Francis Bourque, and moved the November meeting to November 3.
- Adopted resolution demanding Quebec Transport Ministry confirm Highway 55 twinning schedule with 2028 completion, immediate measures to avoid delays, transparent communication, and recognition as regional priority.
- Gave notice of motion for Bylaw 2025-03, a drinking-water environmental assistance program for groundwater capture installations.
- Approved hiring firefighter Francis Bourque under the municipal firefighter employment policy.
- Moved the November 2025 council meeting to Monday, November 3 at 19:30 at the council chambers.
- Adopted the agenda as presented.
- Opened the meeting at 19:30 with quorum.
- Closed the meeting at 19:53 after no public questions.
Conseil municipal
The council unanimously approved two $25,000 grants under its environmental assistance program for septic system work at 835 and 860 rang du Pays-Brûlé. It also awarded a $41,772.50 contract for culvert work monitoring on rang Saint-Joseph and a $11,945 contract for culvert plans on rang Pellerin. Winter snow removal contracts were granted: $125 per hydrant to Martin Houle and $2,060 for the fire station to Dominique Forest.
- Approved $25,000 septic system grant for 835 rang du Pays-Brûlé, payable to PCG Excavation inc.
- Approved $25,000 septic system grant for 860 rang du Pays-Brûlé, split $23,908.13 to PCG Excavation inc. and $1,091.87 to the owners for soil characterization.
- Awarded $41,772.50 contract to Les Services EXP inc. for monitoring and quality control of rang Saint-Joseph culvert work.
- Awarded $11,945 contract to Les Services EXP inc. for plans and specifications for the rang Pellerin culvert replacement.
- Awarded winter snow removal of 9 hydrants to Martin Houle at $125 per hydrant.
- Awarded winter snow removal of the fire station (365 rue Marquis) to Dominique Forest for $2,060 plus taxes.
- Transferred $25,000 from the general fund to the fire service financial reserve as budgeted for 2025.
- Approved $500 one-time grant to the Cercle des Fermières de Saint-Célestin for supplies and workshops.
Conseil municipal
At a special meeting on September 29, 2025, Saint-Célestin council unanimously awarded a $346,553.05 contract to Alide Bergeron et Fils Ltée for the replacement of the culvert on Rang Saint-Joseph. The contract was the lowest of 13 bids and was recommended after a compliance review by EXP Services. No public questions were asked. The meeting lasted 13 minutes.
- Adopted agenda as presented (unanimous)
- Awarded $346,553.05 culvert replacement contract to Alide Bergeron et Fils Ltée (unanimous)
- Authorized the director general to sign all related documents (unanimous)
- Adjourned at 7:43 p.m. (unanimous)
Conseil municipal
Council unanimously approved amending the Saint-Joseph rang culvert project to use standard riprap slopes instead of stabilized slopes, after confirming the watercourse is a drainage ditch. The change is expected to be more durable and less costly. The engineering firm is directed to revise plans, and the owner of lot 5997685 will be asked for permission to relocate the ditch. The call for tenders remains on schedule with the opening date of September 24.
- Approved changing culvert plans from stabilized slopes to standard riprap slopes (unanimous)
- Authorized requesting lot 5997685 owner's permission to relocate the ditch
- Authorized the director general to issue an addendum to the current call for tenders
Conseil municipal
Council unanimously adopted a resolution supporting the FQM's recommendations for the federal Maisons Canada housing program, urging it to support regional communities and not just large projects. The council also approved a transfer of unused grant funds from a civic-numbering project to a community-centre generator project. Two citizens were appointed to a photo contest jury. All other items, including the agenda, previous minutes, and accounts payable, were approved unanimously.
- Adopted agenda (unanimous)
- Approved minutes of Aug 11 and Aug 25, 2025 (unanimous)
- Approved accounts payable totaling $229,119.79 (unanimous)
- Approved transfer of remaining FDST/FRR grant funds from civic-numbering to generator project (unanimous)
- Adopted resolution supporting FQM recommendations for Maisons Canada program (unanimous)
- Appointed Genevieve Gendron and Danielle Jutras to photo contest jury (unanimous)
- Adjourned meeting at 19:57 (unanimous)
Conseil municipal
The council unanimously approved a resolution to apply for financial aid under the PAVL-Rétablissement program for emergency repairs to a culvert on rang Saint-Joseph that collapsed after heavy spring rains. The new resolution replaces a previous one (2025-07-105) and commits the municipality to follow program rules or risk losing the aid. No citizens were present for the question period.
- Approved resolution 2025-08-123 authorizing a PAVL-Rétablissement grant application for culvert and road repairs on rang Saint-Joseph (unanimous)
- Replaced previous resolution 2025-07-105 with the corrected version
- Adopted the meeting agenda as presented (unanimous)
- Adjourned the meeting at 19:53 (unanimous)
Conseil municipal
The council unanimously approved the final payment of $172,605.82 to Roxboro Excavation inc. for roadwork on route 161 and rang Saint-Joseph, and authorized the signing of documents for the final acceptance of the work. It also approved several other items, including the destruction of archived documents, a temporary lifting of the truck ban on a detour route during MTQ bridge repairs, the purchase of 150 Info-Stop capsules, and the creation of a photo contest jury. All decisions were unanimous.
- Approved $172,605.82 final payment to Roxboro Excavation inc. for road 161 and rang Saint-Joseph work (unanimous)
- Authorized destruction of archived documents and ballots per approved retention schedule (unanimous)
- Lifted truck ban on detour route (route 161, rang Val-Léro, route Midas) during MTQ bridge repairs on rang Saint-Michel (unanimous)
- Requested MTQ to level route Midas weekly during the detour period (unanimous)
- Approved purchase of 150 Info-Stop capsules for $150 (unanimous)
- Created jury for photo contest; 5 winners to receive $100 each (unanimous)
- Proclaimed September 15-21, 2025 as Rail Safety Week (unanimous)
- Approved accounts payable totaling $160,305.47 (unanimous)
Conseil municipal
The council ratified emergency actions taken after a culvert collapse on rang Saint-Joseph on June 10, which caused a road hazard and forced a closure. It authorized engineering plans, environmental studies, and a financial aid application to the PAVL-Rétablissement program for the replacement. Separately, the council approved the purchase of a generator for the community centre from Groupe Maska inc. for $60,315.79 and awarded the electrical connection contract to Houle Électrique inc. for $18,378.00.
- Approved agenda and minutes of June 2, 2025 (unanimous)
- Approved accounts payable totaling $165,669.67 (unanimous)
- Authorized mayor and two councillors to attend the FQM Congress, with costs up to $999 plus taxes each (unanimous)
- Authorized MTQ to use local roads as detours during Highway 55 construction (unanimous)
- Approved purchase of a generator for the community centre from Groupe Maska inc. for $60,315.79 (unanimous)
- Awarded electrical connection contract for the generator to Houle Électrique inc. for $18,378.00 plus taxes (unanimous)
- Approved purchase of a culvert from Drainage St-Célestin inc. for $23,638.73 plus taxes (unanimous)
- Approved purchase of two speed feedback signs from Signel Services inc. for $9,450.40 plus taxes, conditional on grant approval (unanimous)
Conseil municipal
The council awarded a contract for asphalt paving of shoulders on rang Saint-Michel to Groupe 132 inc. for $64,386. It also approved a $23,902.34 financial aid request for a septic system installation at 560, rang Saint-Michel. The council authorized a request for proposals to purchase a culvert for route Girard and accepted a $9,800 service offer from Techni-Consultant for the aqueduct project. A request was made to the federal government to apply a 10 km/h speed limit for boats within 30 metres of shore in Quebec.
- Approved $64,386 contract for asphalt paving on rang Saint-Michel to Groupe 132 inc. (unanimous)
- Approved $23,902.34 financial aid for septic work at 560, rang Saint-Michel (unanimous)
- Authorized request for proposals to purchase a polymer-coated culvert for route Girard (unanimous)
- Accepted $9,800 service offer from Techni-Consultant for aqueduct project guidance (unanimous)
- Approved resolution asking federal government to apply 10 km/h boat speed limit within 30m of shore in Quebec (unanimous)
- Authorized application for $8,065 in road safety funding for two radar speed signs on rang du Pays-Brûlé (unanimous)
- Approved request to Agrirécup for solutions on agricultural plastic collection and recycling (unanimous)
- Approved participation in MRC tree-planting project, acquiring 3 trees for the fire station parking lot (unanimous)
Conseil municipal
The council voted unanimously not to pursue a fire service mutualization project, opting to continue with existing agreements with neighboring fire services. It also adopted a bylaw setting a $250 fee for minor derogation requests, authorized an invitation-only tender for a community center generator, and approved a request to the provincial transport ministry for speed radar signs.
- Rejected fire service mutualization project, will keep current agreements (unanimous)
- Adopted Bylaw 2025-02 setting $250 fee for minor derogation requests (unanimous)
- Authorized mayor to attend Femmélue conference June 17-18 (unanimous)
- Set election staff pay per provincial regulation (unanimous)
- Declared May as Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month (unanimous)
- Authorized invitation-only tender for community center generator (unanimous)
- Approved request to MTQ for speed radar on rang du Pays-Brûlé (unanimous)
- Approved $93,900.62 in accounts payable and salaries (unanimous)
Conseil municipal
The council unanimously adopted Bylaw 2025-01 on civic numbers, setting rules for 911 signage and replacing older bylaws. It also awarded contracts for road line-painting ($23,224), dust control ($0.4040/litre), and ditch mowing ($15,525), and approved a $3,500 sponsorship for the Soirée des Gardiens du Terroir (one councillor opposed). The council passed a resolution urging the Quebec government to reinstate the RénoRégion housing program.
- Adopted Bylaw 2025-01 on civic numbering and 911 signage (unanimous)
- Approved $3,500 sponsorship for Soirée des Gardiens du Terroir (majority, one opposed)
- Awarded $23,224 contract for street line-painting to Lignes Maska (unanimous)
- Awarded contract for 17,500 litres of calcium chloride dust control to Somavrac C.C. at $0.4040/litre (unanimous)
- Awarded $15,525 contract for ditch mowing to 9253-4015 Québec inc. (Bailey) (unanimous)
- Approved $80,000 grant application under PAVL-CE for road work (unanimous)
- Authorized invitation-only tender for asphalt shoulders on Rang Saint-Michel (unanimous)
- Adopted resolution urging Quebec to reinstate RénoRégion housing program (unanimous)
Conseil municipal
The council approved the 2025 day camp budget of $38,800 with registration fees of $505 per child (full season) or $100 per week, plus a $40 surcharge for organized outings. It also appointed Pascale Leblanc as the new coordinator of the Claude-Bouchard municipal library, replacing Lisa Lafond, with costs shared equally with the Village of Saint-Célestin. Additionally, the council adopted workplace health and safety prevention programs for fire and administration services, and passed resolutions supporting inclusion of children with special needs in day camps and requesting a change to the Highway Safety Code to allow first responders to use flashing green lights.
- Approved 2025 day camp budget of $38,800 and fees: $505/child full season, $100/week part-time, plus $40 for outings (unanimous)
- Appointed Pascale Leblanc as coordinator of Claude-Bouchard municipal library, with shared costs of $11,005/year per municipality (unanimous)
- Adopted 2025-2026 workplace health and safety prevention programs for fire and administration services (unanimous)
- Authorized signing of infrastructure maintenance agreement with OTJ Saint-Célestin for ball field nets and generator installation (unanimous)
- Authorized signing of day camp organization agreement with Village of Saint-Célestin and OTJ Saint-Célestin (unanimous)
- Granted $850 to FADOQ Saint-Célestin for Jeudis en chansons 2025 event (unanimous)
- Requested modification to Highway Safety Code Article 226.2 to allow first responders to use flashing green lights (unanimous)
- Expressed concerns about Highway 55 twinning project traffic safety near Marquis elementary school (unanimous)
Conseil municipal
The council unanimously cancelled the borrowing for road work after completing the project under budget, using grants and internal funds instead. It also authorized repaying a $2.38M temporary loan to avoid further interest. Other decisions included authorizing a legal study on fire service mutualization, hiring an engineering firm to inspect a culvert, and forwarding a tax-default property list for auction.
- Cancelled $3.8M borrowing for road work, reduced project cost to $3.43M (unanimous)
- Authorized repayment of $2.38M temporary loan to Desjardins (unanimous)
- Approved $5,000 contract with Les Services EXP inc. for culvert inspection (unanimous)
- Mandated FQM legal service for fire service mutualization study, max $700 (unanimous)
- Approved $390 in election training fees for the director general (unanimous)
- Forwarded tax-default property list to MRC Nicolet-Yamaska for auction (unanimous)
- Authorized signing of annual convention with OTJ Saint-Célestin (unanimous)
- Approved $110,457.51 in accounts payable and salaries (unanimous)
Conseil municipal
The council unanimously adopted the 2025 taxation bylaw (2024-11), setting a general property tax rate of $0.4750 per $100 of assessment, with a reduced rate of $0.4275 for agricultural and forest land. It also adopted a $300,000 environmental assistance program (2024-12) offering loans up to $25,000 for septic system upgrades, funded from accumulated surplus. The council approved using $489,784 from the unallocated accumulated surplus to complete financing for Route 161 and Rang Saint-Joseph roadwork, avoiding further borrowing.
- Adopted 2025 taxation bylaw (2024-11) with $0.4750/$100 general rate, $0.4275 for agricultural/forest land (unanimous)
- Adopted environmental assistance program (2024-12) providing up to $25,000 loans for septic upgrades, $300,000 total envelope (unanimous)
- Approved $489,784 from unallocated accumulated surplus to finish financing Route 161 and Rang Saint-Joseph roadwork (unanimous)
- Approved $2,000 transfer to election reserve fund from working capital (unanimous)
- Authorized signing agreement with Canadian National for additional flashing lights at Rang No. 2 crossing (unanimous)
- Awarded $300/year snow removal contract for dry hydrant on Rang Val-Léro to René Champagne (unanimous)
- Approved $600 contribution to firefighters' Christmas party, charged to 2024 budget (unanimous)
- Granted conditional right-of-way to Club de VTT les Baroudeurs on Rang Pellerin, subject to approved signage (unanimous)