Joe Schwarcz: No evidence radio-frequency devices are hazardous to health

Hydro-Québec (Photo credit: Lothann)

Smart meters are coming to Cote Saint-Luc.  Hydro Quebec has begun notifying residents that the new, more efficient mechanisms are on their way.

Some residents have expressed resistance to the move citing possible health concerns.

However, resident expert, “Dr. Joe”, or McGill University and CJAD fame, and a frequent speaker at the CSL Public Library claims that with over 25,000 research studies and no conclusive evidence to suggest concern he would be just fine having a smart meter in his own house.

Read Dr. Joe’s full article, published in the Montreal Gazette on May 4, 2013:

Joe Schwarcz: No evidence radio-frequency devices are hazardous to health.

All that for a tree? Photo(s) of the week.

A very unusual operation took place on Einstein Avenue last week.  Hydro Quebec had one single, gigantic tree to remove behind a home on Einstein, just north of Kildare.

In order to remove the tree some major equipment had to be brought in.   This lead to an entire street closure for nearly two days.

Resident Lewis Cohen snapped these shots towards the end of the operation. See how many pieces of equipment were needed, how many HQ subcontractor employees, and how much wood was cut?  Keep in mind that this was for removal of a single tree.

Hydro work on Fleet to end, finally

The urgent repair work by Hydro Quebec that has resulted in traffic snarls entering and exiting Cote Saint-Luc along Fleet road for several weeks will finally come to an end tomorrow.

Hydro reports that their work has finally wrapped up and concrete is being poured to replace the sidewalk and the road surface is being restored.  All lanes will return to normal with this construction completed ending weeks of frustrating tie ups and traffic jams.

This situation underscored the important need for the Cavendish extension.  Discussions continue among the suburban and Montreal mayors.

Related articles

• Urgent work by Hydro Quebec on Fleet Road (gjnashen.wordpress.com)
• No Treat on Fleet (gjnashen.wordpress.com)

 

Update on Hydro Quebec work on Fleet Rd.

 

City Communique:

 

Last week, the Hydro Quebec project on Fleet Rd. was put on hold when their sub-contractor discovered a ruptured high voltage cable in the excavation. The Quebec workplace health and safety board (CSST) ordered the work to stop until the situation has been fixed.

 

 

 

Work resumed on Wednesday, October 17, 2012. We have asked Hydro Quebec to make up lost time and they have agreed to add additional manpower in order to have all the work complete by November 30, 2012.

 

 

 

Also, we expect to be able to re-open an additional eastbound lane (towards Décarie Blvd.) by Monday, October 29, 2012.

Update on Hydro Quebec work on Fleet Rd..

Urgent work by Hydro Quebec on Fleet Road

28 Sep 2012

We know that many residents and motorists are curious about the work on Fleet Rd. that started on Thursday, September 27. In short, Hydro Quebec is doing urgent work to replace an underground electrical chamber in the intersection of Fleet Rd. and Pinedale Ave., near the border between Côte Saint-Luc and Hampstead.

According to Hydro Quebec, the underground electrical chamber was suffering from serious deterioration and needed to be urgently replaced. The electrical chamber concerned helps deliver power to many parts of Côte Saint-Luc and Hampstead. Were it to collapse, it is our understanding that many residents in the area would lose power and significant harm would also be done to the road and adjacent infrastructure.. Although, we recognize the serious inconvenience to residents and visitors to the area and apologize profusely for the complete lack of advance notice , Côte Saint-Luc felt that it had no choice but to permit Hydro Quebec to undertake this urgent work. Here are answers to questions you may have about the work.

How long will the work last?

The work is expected to last approximately six weeks, but could take a few weeks longer if rain causes work to be delayed. Côte Saint-Luc is asking Hydro Quebec to take all steps possible to complete the work more quickly, if possible.

What is the effect on lane closures?

Unfortunately, the Hydro Quebec electrical chamber is below the south side of Fleet Rd., so at least one and probably both eastbound lanes will have to be closed. Therefore, we have reconfigured the road to allow one eastbound lane and one westbound lane on the other side of the median. Hydro Quebec has advised us that CSST rules related to the space between the work and cars traveling do not allow us to keep more than two lanes opened. Côte Saint-Luc is trying to find a way for Hydro Quebec to open an additional lane so that morning rush hour traffic eastbound and afternoon rush hour westbound traffic will have two lanes available, but we have no idea if we will be successful in finding a solution to allow this at this point.

What steps is Côte Saint-Luc taking to improve the flow of traffic?

Côte Saint-Luc will be stationing a Public Security agent on Fleet Rd. near the narrowing of the road during the morning and afternoon rush hours to help move traffic more efficiently. We are also posting detour signs to inform motorists about alternate routes, such as using Côte Saint-Luc Rd. to access Décarie Blvd. We are working closely with the Town of Hampstead and Station 9 police to coordinate a traffic plan and will be communicating any and all updates on our website at www.cotesaintluc.org. Please keep a close watch on this site. In the meantime we highly recommend that all motorists seek alternative routes to Fleet Rd. at rush hour.

We wanted to let you know what is happening so that you can be aware the situation and plan accordingly. If you have any questions please contact the Department of Public Affairs and Communications at 514-485-6800 ext. 1802 or dlevine@cotesaintluc.org.

Urgent work by Hydro Quebec on Fleet Road.

Photo of the week #3: Cherry picking down Kildare

Photo of the week #3 was sent to me by three different residents.  Last Wednesday a parade of orange “cherry pickers” lined Kildare Road from Parkhaven down to Westminster as Hydro Quebec contractors transferred over electrical wires from old poles to new ones.  This work has been anticipated for many months and while Hydro advised residents in writing and by automated phone calls that the work was proceeding that day many were still unaware and phoned the city thinking there was an unplanned power outage. (Of course, the city shouldn’t be called for power outages, Hydro Quebec must be called).

Don’t worry.  They didn’t forget the old poles.  Different contractors will be assigned by Hydro to transfer over the street lighting and remove the old poles eventually.

Cherry Pickers down Kildare Road. Photo credit: Lewis M. Cohen.

A beautiful day to celebrate public safety at the CSL Spring Fair

The parking lot at Trudeau Park was filled with emergency services and vehicles today but there was no need for panic at the sight of all that commotion.  The annual Public Safety Day (as part of the larger CSL Spring Fair) was exciting for visitors young and old.

CSL EMS trainee shows off the First Responder Unit

In addition to local Public Security, EMS and Citizens on Patrol, residents got to kick some tires of vehicles from the RCMP, Transport Quebec, Montreal Police, Fire, Hydro Quebec, Hatzola and even the Baie d’Urfé COP unit.

From left: George Durocher, Leader of the Baie-D'Urfé Citizens on Patrol, CSL Public Safety Councillor GLenn J. Nashen, Baie-D'urfé Public Safety Councillor Wayne Belvedere

The Montreal Fire Department set up a “smoke trailer”, a miniature house on wheels for kids to learn about fire safety.  They enter a “smokey” bedroom and have to crawl to safety, all to learn a valuable lesson about staying safe.

The Montreal Auxiliary Fire Brigade was on hand explaining how they have been supporting the Fire Services for more than 65 years.

 

The Canadian Armed Forces were on display with a military ambulance and auxiliary nurses.  The Trauma Team of the Montreal Children’s Hospital was in full force offering up tips regarding bike helmets, car seats and much more in the way of injury prevention.

Many thanks to all those professionals and volunteers who participated in a succesful event, especially CSL Public Safety Director Jordy Reichson, CSL Public Security Chief Michel Martel and Neighbourhood Police Station 9 Commander Sylvain Bissonnette, as well as EMS Coordinator Melaine Selby and Public Security Lieutenant Anthony Tsakon, the CSL Communications team (Darryl Levine and Regine Banon), the Recreation team and Public Works Department (Bebe Newman and company). Kudos to COP Supervisors Lewis Cohen, Susie Schwartz and Mitchell Herf along with Team Leaders Mayman, Berkowitz and Schok and all COP members.  This was a great team effort. 

From left: CSL Public Safety Councillor Glenn J. Nashen, CSL Public Safety Director Jordy Reichson, Neighbourhood Police Station 9 Commander Sylvain Bissonnette and CSL Public Security Chief Michel Martel