Mattawa has unveiled its new strategic plan, and is hosting a public meeting on Monday, November 24 to present the plan and hear feedback from residents.
“Here’s concrete evidence of what we’re doing,” Mayor Raymond Bélanger told BayToday, speaking of the strategic plan. As for the public meeting, the mayor encourages people to attend. “It’s their chance to know more about our plans, and we try to be as transparent as possible. But you know, transparency works both ways, a message needs a sender and a receiver, right?”
“We want to give people the opportunity to have input,” the mayor said, referring to the town’s plans.
The completed draft of the strategic plan can be found on council’s November 10, 2025 agenda. The plan begins on page 24.
The 10-page document details municipal goals, categorized around four guiding principles: Governance and Community Relations, Economic Development and Growth, Municipal Services, and Fiscal Responsibility.
Regarding the latter, one listed goal is to “Minimize taxation increases.” The town’s objective is to “Ensure that the municipality’s budget keeps tax increases to an absolute minimum.” Another goal under Fiscal Responsibility is to maximize efficiencies within the municipality. For instance, “Where practical, become self-sufficient in the delivery of services. Examples include snow removal, grass cutting, sweeping, landfill etc.”
Under the Economic Development and Growth principle, the town has listed seven objectives, including completing the Main Street Rehabilitation and Pont Mauril Bélanger Bridge Rehabilitation projects.
As per Governance and Community Relations, one listed goal is to ensure transparency in activities and decision-making processes. One plan to meet that goal is to, “Upgrade meeting platform to improve virtual participation at council meetings.” The mayor will also provide a State of the Town address, at least twice per year, to help keep residents informed.
The entire plan will be presented to the public on Monday, November 24 at the Municipal Council Chambers at 160 Water Street, Mattawa. The meeting begins at 6 p.m., as part of the regularly scheduled council meeting.
David Briggs is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of BayToday, a publication of Village Media. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
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