Ormstown can now count on the counsel of no less than nine advisory committees, including five with citizen participation, when it comes to municipal decisions.
The council adopted a bylaw establishing the rules for the constitution and internal governance of eight new committees during its regular meeting on March 2. The committees will help guide the municipality in areas such as finance and budget management, public safety and civil protection, communications, public works and municipal infrastructure, agriculture, the environment, local economic development and community life, culture, sports and recreation.
An urban planning advisory committee was also previously formed by the municipality.
“This is an important step in terms of transparency, consultation, and citizen participation,” said Mayor Philippe Besombes during the meeting. “But I would also say that this is important because these committees will include elected officials, citizens, and representatives from the administration. This ensures that we are all working together,” he added.
Each committee was then formally introduced and established by a series of resolutions adopted unanimously by council members. Besombes noted to those present that the committees would act solely in an advisory capacity and that decision-making powers remained with the council. Committee members will serve two-year terms.
The Comité des Finances et de la Gestion Budgétaire, Comité de la Sécurité Publique et de la Sécurité Civile, Comité Communication, and the Comité des Travaux Publics et des Infrastructures Municipales are not open to public participation as they concern internal and confidential issues.
The Comité Consultatif Agricole, Comité Environnement, Comité du Développement Économique Local, and the Comité de la Vie Communautaire, de la Culture, des Sports et des Loisirs, on the other hand, will include at least two citizen members.
Besombes noted that the creation of the agriculture committee would help the municipality to keep abreast of issues affecting area farmers while supporting agricultural development. “It is really about having a formalized communication link with the municipality’s agricultural community,” he explained.
Members of the environment committee will be called upon to recommend strategies for the protection of natural environments and waste reduction; to support local initiatives such as reforestation and shoreline protection; and to raise awareness of local environmental issues.
Those who join the local economic development committee will help the municipality to promote local businesses, attract people to the village centre, support entrepreneurship and employability initiatives, recommend measures to support existing businesses and future generations, and liaise with various economic development organizations.
The community life, culture, sports, and recreation committee will be tasked with supporting community sports and cultural organizations as well promoting inclusive events and initiatives for children, families, and seniors. “Everything related to the library, for now, will be included in this committee,” said Besombes.
The mayor was careful to explain that the committees are not set in stone. “A committee may be created, and then it may change,” he said. “They are designed to meet needs, and meeting needs means adapting,” he added. “I think it will be interesting going forward.”
A call for citizens interested in joining the various committees will be launched on March 11.
Along with the creation of committees, Besombes also announced that the municipality will hold an open house on April 11, where representatives from the different municipal departments will be present.
“A good part of the morning will be devoted to discussions between citizens, the municipal council, and the mayor about some fairly essential projects that we are currently considering,” Besombes said, noting the discussions will take place in an informal setting.
More details on the open house as well as the new municipal committees will be available shortly on the municipal website and social media pages.