Local improvement tax:

City offers sewer hook-ups on Vanier Road

Vanier Road residents have some thinking to do. On December 12, residents living between Aylmer Road and Lucerne Boulevard were asked by city officials if they would be willing to pay a local improvement tax for several years to have a new sewage system installed.

 

“Fifty per cent of residents must first sign a petition asking the city to evaluate this proposal; for the city to go ahead, more than 66% (2/3) of these residents must accept the infrastructure project (and its conditions),” explained Jocelyn Plourde, Lakeview Terrace Residents' Association President.

Gatineau proposed this option because changes have to be made in the aging water lines below Vanier Road to deal with a brown water problem there. Since the city will be opening up the street, there’s an opportunity for residents to switch from septic tanks to the municipal sewage system.

“The city is changing the water system,” said Councillor Richard Bégin, “but it’s up to the homeowners to decide if the city also installs a wastewater system”.

Mr Poulin, on Vanier Road, says he is willing to sign the petition – to obtain more details.

“I’m on a septic tank, as are my neighbours. I want to know how much it will cost for the whole infrastructure project and how much the local improvement tax will be. My impression is that if my home is connected to municipal sewers, this would be good for its resale value. If the project is reasonable, I’m in favour,” said Mr Poulin.

Andréanne Léger, Lakeview Terrace’s vice-president, who lives on Vanier Road, declined to comment until she’s heard more details. “I’m sitting down with other Association members shortly to discuss this project,” she said.

The city carried out a similar operation a few years ago on a portion of des Montagnais and on Robert-Pilon streets.  The petition to install water lines was successful on des Montagnais, but unsuccessful on Robert-Pilon.