Francine Bastien 

JULY 

From the minutes of VLB

Mayor Richard Burcombe chaired the meeting with five councillors, the DG, the clerk and 22 visitors

Questions – Trees were cut on Lakeside Road to make way for a tennis court where 82 trees were illegally cut last year. Expansion work without a permit was carried out at 513 Lakeside Road. The owner will be fined.

Administration – Hiring of an environmental advisor under the responsibility of the Deputy DG. The advisor’s mandate is not presented.

Legislation and draft by-laws – The adoption of changes to three zoning by-laws is subject to referendum approval. These are questions of definitions relating to transport containers, lodges, or bed and breakfasts, and noise corridor on Route 104.

The town published a list of 16 properties possibly subject to its right of first refusal. https://lacbrome.ca/download/proces-ver- bal_2023/PV_Conseil_FINAL_2023-07-03.pdf

Public security – The fire department intervened 56 times this year in the territory and the First Responders 35 times.

Financial Assistance – Assistance of $6,000 was granted to Knowlton Academy for the purchase of boats as part of the rowing project. 

AUGUST 

Mayor Richard Burcombe chaired the meeting in the presence of the six councillors, the clerk and the deputy DG. Twenty visitors were present. 

On behalf of the municipal council, the mayor opened the meeting by paying a moving tribute to Claire Kerrigan who passed away on July 31. The mayor underlined the “exceptional contribution” of Mrs. Kerrigan to the community of Lac-Brome. “Her legacy will be forever engraved in our memories,” he said, offering his condolences to her family and loved ones. 

Citizens and businesses of TBL could benefit from special assistance from Quebec for the damage suffered following the floods caused by the torrential rains of July 7 and 11. They have until October 21 to apply to the Ministère de la Sécurité publique. 

Questions – Just as it does for electronic waste, does the town intend to offer collection for solvents and other hazardous chemicals? “Not for the moment,” answers the mayor. When will Carke Park be completed? “Next spring,” responds Robert Daniel, Deputy DG. At the same time, regulation will be adopted regarding the washing of boats before launching them. “The abundant rains in July led to at least 2 hours of wastewater overflows into the lake at two different locations in the territory,” indicates the Deputy DG. Difficult to know the exact volume of overflows. 

Agreements, contracts, mandates – The awarding of contracts for snow removal goes from 2 to 5 years. It will cost more than $514,000 for the East Hill sector; $1,400,000 for Fulford and Foster and $1,149,600 for the Iron Hill area. 

Urban planning and environment – Two zoning by-laws 596-15 (tourist lodges, bed and breakfasts and cafés, etc.) and 596-16 (containers and transport) will be adopted, without giving way to referendums, given the insufficient number of signatures during registers. Bylaw 596-17 aimed at reducing the length of the noise corridor on Route 104 by 1.6 km is abandoned. The city does not want to hold a referendum given the significant costs that this represents. 

Public Safety – The fire department received 51 calls in July. The average is 16 calls per month. The town is asking the Ministère des Transports to reduce the speed limit from 90 km to 70 km in several areas deemed dangerous as well as from 50 km to 40 km in the town centre. 

Recreation, culture, tourism, community life – Granting of a $10,000 subsidy to the Tour du lac Brome. 

Next meeting: Tuesday, September 5, 7 p.m. at the CLB