COVID-19 / Coronavirus

As Mayor of Sutton, on behalf of council and our citizens, we ask visitors to stay at home for this Easter Holiday. This request is in accordance with the Public Health directives to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus (Coronavirus).

Rest assured, dear visitors, we will be there when the current situation related to the pandemic is resolved and we will welcome you again with open arms, sharing with pride our town and our landscapes!

🌈 #ItsGoingToBeOK

Michel Lafrance, Mayor of Sutton

In order to respond to citizens’ concerns, council confirmed a mandate given to a private security firm. This firm’s mandate is to:

• Control access to closed public places, including walking trails.
• Ensure surveillance of parks and municipal properties.
• Help volunteers at the IGA and certain other businesses.
• Assist municipal employees in situations related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Carry out any other mandate related to the COVID-19 pandemic that may be requested by the Municipal Civil Protection Organization.

Please note that in the event of non-compliance with directives, the security officer will contact the Sûreté du Québec for assistance. We hope that the presence of these agents will limit illegal access to the walking trails, encourage visitors to stay at home and, ultimately, reassure citizens.

🌈 #ItsGoingToBeOK

Be advised that, following a resolution of the council adopted on April 6^th, 2020, the Town has reduced its interest rate and penalties to 0% for a period of 100 days on all accounts receivable and due to the Town. Council will review this extension before the expiry of the 100 day period if the current situation related to COVID-19 (Coronavirus) continues. This measure covers the municipal taxes due on May 15^th, 2020, transfer duties (welcome tax), all balances currently due and other fees payable to the Town.

However, we ask citizens who can pay their taxes or other fees to do so on time. Such payments will help the Town to limit the financial impact of the pandemic and will allow the Town to help those in need.

For those who have already sent a postdated cheque for the May 15^th payment and who will not be able to honor payment of such, please send an email to [email protected] to request that your cheque be cancelled. A proof of cancellation will be sent to you by email.

🌈 #ItsGoingToBeOK

To view the press release (in French only) , please click here.

Sutton, April 8, 2020

Dear citizens,

During this period of involuntary confinement and social distancing, I am all too aware of the impact of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) on every one of us. I thank you all for your efforts to halt the spread of the virus.

Unfortunately, I am sorry to tell you that despite all our efforts we have some confirmed cases here in Sutton. We must, therefore, be aware that people currently without symptoms may be carriers of the virus. This means we are not without risk despite our distance from large urban areas.

Today, I insist once again that you comply with all the directives issued by our governments. In particular, I insist on the following points:

• Stay at home. Avoid going out as much as possible.
• DO NOT GO OUT if you are 70 or older, or if you have any flu like symptoms, or if you are returning from a trip abroad, or, if you have been in contact with anyone returning from abroad or who has symptoms. I repeat: in these circumstances DO NOT GO OUT! Use the home delivery services made available to you by the IGA supermarket and the Brunet pharmacy.
• For those who have decided to move here to their second home, do not go back and forth from one residence to another. 

I remind all citizens who develop symptoms related to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) that they must telephone the following numbers: 1 844 721-6094 or 450 644-4545. You will then be informed of what steps to take.

If you need to contact the Sutton Health Center or have to call 911, it is essential to tell them straight away if you have travelled recently, if you feel any symptoms like those of COVID 19 (Coronavirus), or if you suspect any risk of infection in your surroundings. They will then apply the required preventative measures.

Next, as you all know, Sutton attracts many visitors and outdoor enthusiasts. Given the pandemic, we ask visitors and tourists not to come to Sutton. The Mont Sutton ski center, the PENS and the Plein Air Sutton trails ARE ALL CLOSED.

Despite these clearly indicated closures, numerous vehicles were parked nearby on Saturday March the 28th. The next day, our firefighters were on the scene and turned back several people. As a precautionary measure, a security firm has been hired by the Town to ensure compliance with the directives and to inform the uncooperative.

I am appealing to the population to keep off the public trails and away from the ski resort. It is our firefighters and the Sureté du Québec agents who will have to intervene in the case of an injured or lost skier or hiker, and such a situation puts them at risk.
 
On a different note, our local merchants are adjusting to the pandemic and have taken the necessary steps to ensure that you can get your supplies safely. A list of food related businesses open in Sutton and the surrounding areas is updated daily by the MRC at www.brome-missisquoi.ca/directory-of-food-services/.

As announced by the government, the IGA and other businesses will now be closed on Sundays to give employees a well-deserved break. The IGA delivery service will resume the next day which will be the Monday. In all cases, I ask the population to act with respect towards business owners and their employees, your fellow citizens and our volunteers. No food shortage is expected.

Along with management municipal staff, Town employees and other members of the Council, I am taking all necessary steps with the government and the police to report our concerns, ask for help and protect the people of our municipality. We are hard at work to be ready for all possibilities.

In closing, I would like to say a big thank you to our Sutton First Responders and to the numerous volunteers who have put themselves at the service of our population.

I also have a special thought for our seniors, for the parents who watch over their children confined at home and for all in self-isolation. Don’t give up. This is not the time to let down our guard.

We are here for you and count on your cooperation, your civic-mindedness and your patience. So, keep smiling and do your best to stay in shape mentally and physically. Stay in contact by phone or internet with your loved ones, your neighbours and everyone you know who is alone in isolation.

By working together, we can make a difference. If you have concerns or questions, you can write to me at [email protected].

I offer you my best wishes for Easter.
🌈 #ItsGoingToBeOK

Michel Lafrance, Mayor. Sutton, April 8, 2020

To view the special Newsletter on COVID-19 from CLD Brome-Missisquoi (in French only) , please click here.

Whereas the current situation related to COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and the Ministerial Order 2020-012, we remind you that all commercial retail establishments will be closed to the public on Sunday, except pharmacies, convenience stores, gas stations, restaurants for take out orders and delivery, as well as grocery stores for online or email orders on Sunday, but deliveries will be made on Monday.

Therefore, be advised that the Sutton IGA will close its doors on Sunday and that, in order to give rest to its employees and volunteers, it will not make any deliveries during this day.

We therefore ask you to show respect, patience and good citizenship towards the employees of these essential businesses, but also towards your fellow citizens.

We thank you for your collaboration.

On behalf of the Town of Sutton, its municipal council and all its employees, I would like to thank all volunteers for the time they give to the citizens of our municipality. Thanks to the volunteers, the territory of the Town of Sutton is a safer place during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic. We are lucky to have this vital force that is volunteering. All the actions and all the work carried out by volunteers cannot be carried out by Town employees; it’s an exchange and a bond which cannot be evaluated in economic value, but which brings in value of prevention against the current pandemic.

I also thank all the relatives of the volunteers who support them and encourage them to get involved.

I can never have enough words to thank you all for what you do and what you are.

Thank you!

Michel Lafrance, Mayor

Whereas the current situation related to COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and Decree number 223-2020, issuance of any permit related to land use planning and development is suspended from April 3, 2020, until further notice. The Town is also suspending all building permits already issued and currently in force, all contractors have to stop all work currently in progress. These suspensions do not apply to permits issued for urgent work, and do not prevent contractors from securing the building before closing a site. In addition, a citizen can do his own work if it is done according to government directives related to isolation.

Thanks for your collaboration.