It is necessary to review the financial statements before the meeting If you have ever attended a presentation of financial statements and balance sheets, you know very well that if you are not sent the reports at least two or three days before the meeting, you will not be able to understand them and ask […]
How can major construction projects be launched before the master plan has even been delivered?
I am very surprised to learn that the current municipal administration of North Hatley is preparing to present its master plan this Tuesday, September 23, even though major construction projects are already underway. This means that important land use decisions have already been made, regardless of what you think. So, your opinion is important, provided […]
Are we victims of what appears to me to be disastrous financial management in North Hatley?
Slow play is an interesting strategy in the game of poker. When it pays off, it pays off big. And it pays off, because nobody sees you coming. But let’s get back to the North Hatley finances shall we. Town hall just released their much-anticipated financial update this weekend. Exciting slide deck with lots of, […]
Did the municipality collect property tax to service the debt without paying the debt?
I note that we paid property tax “towards the 2024 municipal debt.” However, the administration does not appear to have used this money to pay off the debt in 2024. You paid off the municipal debt in 2024 using your property taxes When I look at my 2024 tax bill, I see a line item […]
Where are we now, nearly five months after the start of renovations on the city hall offices?
According to the July 7 city council meeting, the North Hatley municipal administration is scheduled to return to its renovated offices in September. According to statements made by the North Hatley municipal director general on July 7, there is a problem with the architectural plans. The municipality must obtain mechanical and electrical engineering plans for […]
Are we victims of a lack of financial discipline?
On September 16, the North Hatley municipal administration gave a presentation to the public on its finances and achievements for 2021 to 2025. Obviously, the document provided to the public seems to me to emphasize achievements rather than sound financial management. Quite frankly, the presentation is partisan rather than in the public interest. Unfortunately, the […]
September 16 at 7:00 p.m.: Presentation of the 2022-2025 financial results for the village of North Hatley
Fortunately, my friends informed me that there would be a presentation of North Hatley’s 2022-2025 financial reports this evening, as I did not receive an invitation by email. However, I am indeed subscribed, but my last email from the municipal administration was the “Entre nous” newsletter. So, there will be a presentation of North Hatley’s […]
Financial developments in the village of North Hatley from 2016 to today
In order to better understand the financial results of the municipality of North Hatley, I have analyzed and simplified the results to the best of my knowledge to make them understandable to everyone. Here is a brief financial analysis of the results from recent years, based on the municipality’s financial reports available on the ministry’s […]
Do donations to a municipality pose a risk of conflict of interest?
As I understand it, North Hatley has received several donations from citizens and foundations owned by citizens throughout its history. In fact, it is probably not the only municipality to receive donations. These donations are welcomed with open arms by municipal officials. In fact, the municipality’s latest press release mentions this, as does the latest […]
Increase in waste containers and foul odors on Mill Street
Unfortunately, Mill Street is still in a state of World War II. Yet it is probably the busiest pedestrian street after Main Street, since everyone who parks at Parc des Rivières walks down Mill Street. Let’s call a spade a spade: the street is simply disgusting, and the smell is just the icing on the […]
Réponse à la question d’un citoyen quant au dossier Navigo à North Hatley
Un citoyen m’a posé la question suivante : Parlez nous donc du conflit qui vous a opposé a la ville dans l’histoire de Navigo. Soyez honnête et parlez nous des démarches et du déroulement dans ce dossier. Avez vous toujours respecté les demandes de la ville. Vous sembez amer contre la municipalité. Je vous réponds […]
The importance of protecting the riparian zone in North Hatley
Since the shock of the closure of Lobadanki Park beach, partly due to the weakening of the shoreline in that area, I have been wondering about the protection of the shoreline elsewhere in North Hatley. Obviously, it is crucial to protect our ecosystem to ensure its sustainability. As I travel by boat on the river […]
Still waiting for permission to install our awning in North Hatley
18 days later and still waiting for permission to put up our awning at 80 Main Street. North Hatley Info submitted its application for a permit to display its awning at 80 Main Street on July 10. The inspector requested additional information, which was provided on July 14. I also asked the inspector a few […]
Municipal elections on November 2nd, your municipality needs you!
Did you know that municipal elections will be held on November 2 in all municipalities across Quebec? Now is the time to contribute to your community by running for councilor or mayor. The current elected officials have been in office for four years now in municipalities across Quebec. It’s time to take stock! It’s time […]
52 days later and still no response from the municipality of North Hatley
On May 30, I applied for a key to the gate at the federal dock boat ramp as a fishing guide. While talking with a fellow fishing guide on Lake Massawippi, I discovered that he had been able to obtain a key to the federal dock gate so that he could enter and exit with […]
Is this what municipalities pay for their legal fees?
Obviously, I am not a municipal lawyer, so check your sources before jumping to conclusions. However, legal fees are part of the operating costs of most municipalities. The issue is not very clear, as municipalities generally have insurance that covers their costs when they face major lawsuits. However, when a municipality wants to sue a […]
Can an apartment building be constructed in a flood zone?
A project to build 22 new homes with commercial space will begin in July 2026 in North Hatley on Mill Street, where Picalilli used to be located. Rumor has it that the land where it will be built is located in a flood zone. Obviously, I’m no expert, so check with the municipality. I am […]
$68,000 for Pleasant View Beach lifeguard salaries
At the last city council meeting, Mayor Guerrish stated that the cost of salaries for Pleasant View Beach lifeguards in 2024 would be approximately $68,000 for the season. At first glance, this amount seems very high. However, let’s calculate the total number of hours of operation for which lifeguards must be paid. First, let’s review […]
How much would it cost to build two clay tennis courts in North Hatley?
Just for fun, I asked ChatGPT, and here’s its response. Estimated cost for two clay courts – in Canadian dollars (CAD, 2025) Expense item Estimated cost Preliminary studies & preparation 10 000 $ à 20 000 $ Earthworks and foundations (x2) 25 000 $ à 40 000 $ Land construction (x2) 55 000 $ à 85 000 $ Nets, posts, lines, […]
Many questions surrounding the North Hatley refrigerated ice rink project
Reference in the audio recording of the city council meeting of July 7, 2025.Featured photo credit: Nordic At the last city council meeting, citizens’ opinions differed. Several wondered whether the refrigerated skating rink was a good or bad idea. Mayor Mairesse pointed out that, with the master plan, everyone supports this skating rink project (28:26). […]
Will there be soccer goals for children this summer at Rivières Park?
Since the beginning of summer, I have been taking photos of the soccer goals at Rivières Park. Each time, I become more and more discouraged. I see children playing soccer on this large, beautiful green field, but unfortunately, no one has taken the time to simply set up the soccer goals so they can play. […]
The process of applying to display an awning in North Hatley (continued)
Le 10 juillet dernier, North Hatley info a fait une demande auprès de l’inspecteur municipal de North Hatley pour mettre en place un auvent avec le logo North Hatley info. On July 10, North Hatley Info submitted a request to the North Hatley municipal inspector to install an awning bearing the North Hatley Info logo. […]
Is your municipality required to acknowledge receipt of your email if you request it?à
For my part, I write to the municipality of North Hatley by email to request a permit or access to information. I always ask for confirmation that my email has been received. This allows me to make sure that I am not being sent to “spam.” Strangely, I feel like I am being sent to […]
How is managing a municipality different from managing a private company?
In order to clearly distinguish how each one is managed, let’s first look at the main objective of each. The municipality Private enterprise Ultimately, the municipality has a social responsibility and must serve the common good, while the company is primarily focused on financial results to serve its shareholders. In this respect, in many ways, […]
A magnificent refrigerated skating rink coming soon to North Hatley
Featured photo is the skating rink at Parc Haendel in Candiac.Photo credit: Nordic Structure. For me, the refrigerated skating rink with a roof in North Hatley is an incredible architectural project that will add “panache” to North Hatley. Especially in winter, the area is somewhat lacking in activities! What’s more, our winters are very variable […]
North Hatley’s Parc des Rivières was once a municipal landfill, true or false?
A number of citizens have told me that the current location of the soccer field (where the goals are poorly placed!) and skating rink in winter was once a municipal landfill site. This would have prompted a move from the refrigerated skating rink in Parc des Rivières to the tennis courts at Pleasant View Beach. […]
Religious community interested in acquiring North Hatley’s Inter-foi Church
The owner of the Inter-Foi North Hatley spiritual church has been approached by a religious group interested in acquiring the site. According to this group, the location is perfectly positioned. The religious group is very interested in acquiring the church to house their congregation. In fact, I can understand their interest, since the site offers […]
Sherbrooke’s refrigerated ice rink costs $130,000 a year to maintain
Many towns and cities have had the opportunity to install a refrigerated ice rink. Such a rink makes it possible to extend and promote the practice of skating and ice hockey for the entire surrounding population. North Hatley will also have this opportunity, thanks to a million-dollar donation from the Pollock family. What’s more, the […]
Still no soccer goals in place at Parc des Rivières as of June 23
I understand that the Municipality of North Hatley has its hands full with the master plan, managing the many grants and dock rentals. However, placing soccer goals so that children can play is essential in my opinion. It doesn’t take much! In fact, I just passed the park and some kids were playing soccer farther […]
Canton de Hatley: Reasons for refusing to renew recreation agreement
A press release was published on June 16, 2025 on the Township of Hatley’s website detailing the reasons for refusing to continue the Recreation Agreement with North Hatley, including access to Pleasant View Beach. When I called North Hatley on June 13, the response was that the Township of Hatley had refused the agreement. At […]