Some great new appointments in the municipal administration!

– PRESS RELEASE

Sutton, May 8, 2025 – The Town of Sutton is proud to announce several appointments, starting with that of Jonathan Fortin, formerly Assistant Director General | Town Clerk and Director of Legal Affairs, to the position of Director General vacant since April 25. Geneviève Bonnichon becomes the new Clerk and Director of Legal Affairs, Patrick Roy is promoted to Foreman of public works and Harry Pressoir to Interim Director of Urban and Land-Use planning. These four appointments were ratified at the May 7 Council meeting.

“We carried out a detailed evaluation of potential candidates for the position of Director General,” said Mayor Robert Benoît on behalf of the Council. “And the decision was unanimous: Jonathan, whose administrative rigor we appreciate,  is the best candidate for this strategic position. We are counting on him to ensure the continuity of good municipal management and staff stability. Although earlier than expected, yet as foreseen in our succession plan, Geneviève will naturally take Jonathan’s place as head of the Town Clerk’s and Legal Affairs’ Department.. As for Pat Roy, his new title of foreman simply recognizes the role he was already fulfilling, and Harry Pressoir is ideally suited to head up the Urban and Land-Use Planning Department during the prolonged absence of its current director, Claude Théberge.”

A new general manager to maintain continuity

Jonathan Fortin was appointed Interim Director General at  the departure of Pascal Smith, who was in place for over four years. However, Jonathan  only held this position for twelve days, as the Council decided to appoint him at the following meeting.

A lawyer called to the bar in 2007, Jonathan worked for twelve years in private practice in municipal and corporate law before making the leap to clerk for the Town of Sutton in September 2019. His title of Director of Legal Affairs was added in 2021 to clarify what he was already doing, before being promoted to Assistant Director General in March 2022. This role enabled him to acquire a finer knowledge of the municipal apparatus, which he will be able to put to good use in his new functions. “I am honoured by the trust placed in me by the members of Council and I thank them for it,” he declared. “I also feel a great sense of pride and emotion in feeling even more deeply connected  to Sutton. I intend to put all my energy, loyalty and skills in  service to  the Town and its population.”

A new Clerk and Director of Legal Affairs to fit the bill

As for Geneviève Bonnichon, she didn’t stay an Assistant for long: hired by the Town in January, she embraces her new title of Clerk and Director of Legal Affairs with the sense of service and responsibility that characterizes her profession. Geneviève has been a notary since 2015, and practised for several years in her own firm before joining the Town. She fell in love with the community spirit of Sutton, where she became a resident in March. She will certainly be an asset to the administration as well as to the citizens.

The position of Assistant Director General to be filled

Following this reshuffle of the General Management and Town Clerk’s Offices, Council decided that the position of Assistant Director General, left vacant by Jonathan’s appointment, would be entrusted to an external candidate. This is in the aim of enriching the experience and skills of the current team. The Town has mandated the Union des municipalités du Québec (UMQ) to search for and propose candidates, as it did for the recruitment of the previous Director General. The tasks of the future ADG within the municipal organization chart will be announced when he or she is hired.

Public works coordinator becomes foreman

Patrick Roy, known to everyone as Pat, has been working for the Town for over 25 years! He started out as a heavy equipment operator, then team leader, then senior team leader, before taking on the title of coordinator 5 years ago. It is he who orchestrates the rounds of snow removal, pavement repairs and all other tasks assigned to the blue-collar workers. By becoming foreman, and therefore manager, Pat is simply clarifying and taking on the responsibilities he already has.

Urban and Land-Use Planning Advisor appointed Interim Director of the Department

Harry Pressoir joined the Town in 2021 as an intern as part of his bachelor’s degree in urban planning. A permanent employee, he quickly rose through the ranks, touching on every aspect of this busy department. Inspector, then advisor, he became the invaluable right-hand man to director Claude Théberge, who unfortunately had to take a leave of absence for an as yet undetermined period of time. During Claude’s gradual return to work, starting in June, and continuing until his full return, Harry will act as Interim Director of Urban and Land-Use Planning. The Director General plans to support him personally during this period.

The Town Council and the entire administration of the Town of Sutton extend
their warmest congratulations to these four unanimous nominees!