Mélissa Côté has been appointed Assistant Director General for Vaudrueil-Dorion. Her appointment was ratified by municipal council which adopted a resolution at its regular meeting on Monday, July 3.

Côté is a notary by training and has been the city's Assistant Town Clerk for the past nine years. 

She participated in several important files including the city's strategic planning initiative for 2020-2025, the acquisition of strategic land for the city and the negotiation of major agreements with partners.

"It is with enthusiasm and determination that I begin my new role as Assistant Director General. I'm proud to contribute to managing the day-to-day operations of this dynamic city with a passionate team dedicated to enhancing the population's quality of life," said Côté.

"My experience the past few years with the Town Clerk's Office and Legal Affairs has helped me develop a global vision of the municipality and its administration and I'm ready to take on this new challenge," she added.

"I would like to thank the municipal council and general management for the confidence they have shown in me by awarding me this position," Côté said.

Côté succeeds Marco Pilon, FCPA, OMA, who will continue to work exclusively as Treasurer and Director of the Finance and Treasury Department.

"Given the strategic importance regarding the position of the Assistant General Manager, it was obvious this is a full-time position. I could no longer combine two such demanding management positions. The choice was clear to me - my primary passion is finance," said Pilon.

"In a city our size, treasury and finance are major issues and I'd like to move forward on certain files that are close to my heart while continuing to be involved in the Finance and Taxation Committee with the Corporation des officiers municipaux agréés du Québec (COMAQ)," Pilon added.

Pilon has held this position for over three years. Director General Olivier Van Neste saluted Pilon's commitment.

"I would like to thank Marco for his dedication and expertise. Let's not forget that only a few months after we took up our new positions, a pandemic completely changed our way of working," said Van Neste.

"We had to adapt and it was reassuring to be able to rely on Marco's solid skills in many areas," Van Neste added.

Pilon began thinking about who would be the best candidate for the position of Assistant Director General and his recommendation of Côté was endorsed by the municipal council.

"Côté is an excellent negotiator, brilliant, skillful and an outstanding communicator. She encourages cooperation in work teams and looks for solutions each day," said Van Neste.

"She made the city shine through her active participation in La corporation des officiers municipaux agréés du Québec (COMAQ), as a director and member of the legislation committee. She is a young manager who deeply loves the city and is appreciated by all employees," Van Neste added.

The mayor also welcomed Côté to her new role. "Municipal council has worked with her for several years. Mélissa is a professional who is much appreciated for her thoroughness and in-depth knowledge of municipal issues," said Guy Pilon.

Mayor Pilon also congratulated and offered his "warmest thanks" on behalf of council to Marco Pilon for his new role.

"He has for the past three years concurrently held the positions of Assistant General Manager and Treasurer and Director of the Finance and Treasury Department," said Mayor Pilon.

"We know he has a heavy workload. His desire to devote himself exclusively to his new role is a choice we support," Mayor Pilon added.

The General Management Division plans, organizes, directs and controls all activities within the municipal organization, with the aim of meeting the needs its citizens. There are 11 departments within the division and employs about 375 people (over 400 during the summer months).

The department aims to provide quality services to its residents.