By Ruby Pratka
Local Journalism Initiative
Brome Lake residents who own boats will not have to pay an additional fee to take their boats out on the town’s eponymous lake this summer, town officials have confirmed. A bylaw to that effect was passed at the April 7 council meeting.
Residents must register their boats and get a vignette to benefit from free access. Residents with vignettes will also be able to wash their boats at the municipal boat-washing station for free.
“Vignettes will be free for residents, and residents will have the moral obligation to make sure their boat is clean before using it on the lake,” director general Gilbert Arel said in a video recap of the council meeting. Arel said further information about how to obtain a vignette and how to use the new boat-washing station will be shared later. “I know we’re already in April, but there are still a few things to be worked out, and we invite you to keep an eye on communications from the town. It’s no use coming to get your vignette at the town hall right now because [the vignettes] are not available yet.”
Non-residents will be able to purchase a vignette allowing access for $100.
At the boat-washing station, non-residents or residents without a vignette will pay $20 to wash a motorboat or $5 to wash a non-motorized boat. Non-resident boat owners who use the station regularly and don’t want the inconvenience of paying separately for each washing can buy a season pass for $200.
“Everything is free for Brome Lake residents,” Mayor Richard Burcombe told the BCN. “That was what was changed in the bylaw. The fact is, we heard what people were saying and we decided to make it free of charge for residents if they stay on Brome Lake, and that’s what most of them will do.”
Non-resident users and residents without vignettes must get a washing certificate before taking their boat out on the lake or face a fine. Although washing certificates are not required for residents with vignettes, Burcombe strongly encouraged boat owners to have their boats washed before taking them out on the lake, to prevent the spread of invasive species such as zebra mussels. “I don’t believe we’ve detected any zebra mussels here yet, but there are a lot of boats that come in and use the access points for non-residents … and it’s good to keep invasive species out.”
The same bylaw also made parking free for all Brome Lake residents “in all parking spaces located on the territory of the town of Brome Lake or held by the town,” on the condition that the parked car or truck is registered with the municipality. There is a $5 registration fee. Non-residents using the same parking spaces will pay $6 to park for a maximum of two hours or $20 for a day pass valid until midnight.