Chapleau Council Considering Load Restrictions for Roads After RYAM Talks Fail

Chapleau Town Council is mulling over some local load restrictions as talks with a major local employer have failed to bring about an agreement desired by Council.

Mayor Michael Levesque explains Township representatives had met with RYAM multiple times since its parent company bought the Tembec sawmill, hoping to reach a deal addressing the effect its operations - specifically 18-wheel traffic - have on some local infrastructure.

Emphasizing that the mill is outside of town limits - so there is no tax base from RYAM for Township to rely on to address the issue - Mayor Levesque says Council has made no decisions at this time, though he adds the Township is planning to soon turn to the public and outline options - like load restrictions on Martel Road and the Monk Street Bridge - something that would be done "in open forum", so public response can help guide Council's decision.