Tony Rotherham, LJI

All members of council were present; ten residents were in the audience.
Questions during the meeting covered the following points: The astonishing increase in the new triennial roll property evaluation- 84% over the previous evaluation, the possibility of getting information on the basis for this increase; and the renovation of the town hall (no news yet); and a total ban on the use of fireworks in the municipality seems excessive.
Town planning – Four permits were issued with a value of $81,000. An application for a short term rental permit was approved for a property at 6 Paige Road. Council approved a Notice of Motion for a new regulation prohibiting the use of fireworks in the municipality. The objective is to avoid wildfire hazard, reduce nuisance and disturbance of wildlife and domestic animals. Note: Area lost to wildfire in Canada during 2023 was about 18 million ha, about 2.5 times the previous record loss to fire.
The calendar of council meetings and waste collection is now available on the municipal website. No collection of large items has yet been scheduled for 2024. Efforts to find a contractor continues. Large items can be taken to the ecocentre at Cowansville.
Roads and infrastructure – West Bolton has assumed responsibility for maintenance of several roads – Gauvin, Laporte, des Appalaches and Crow Hill. Crow Hill Road is on private land and has been returned to the private owner. An application for a TECQ four-year grant of $920,760 to pay for road maintenance was approved.
Environment – Council voted in support of the new international target to conserve biodiversity. Council has not established a program to promote biodiversity conservation.
Donations were approved for: BMP Foundation; Main dans la Main; Au Coeur des familles agricoles; and Cooperative du pays des vergers; as well as a continuation of the subsidy of $150/child to encourage the use of washable diapers
Next Meeting: Monday, January 22, 2024