Jennifer Robinson

After years of controversy and debate, West Bolton has decided to buy land next to the town hall on Town Hall Road location. West Bolton Mayor Denis Vaillancourt and Councillor Margarita Lafontaine told a public meeting April 20 of about 100 residents that the town would go ahead with a plan to purchase a couple of acres of land adjacent to the current location so that the town hall could be expanded or rebuilt at the same address.

The announcement puts an end to a long-standing controversy sparked by the former administration’s attempts to purchase land on Route 243, without the knowledge or consent of citizens, in order to build a new town hall complex.

Most citizens applauded the new plan. Lafontaine said the land purchase would need approval of the provincial agricultural zoning commission, known as the CPTAQ. (La Commission de protection du territoire agricole du Québec). Once approved by the CPTAQ, the town would then develop plans to expand or rebuild its buildings, and seek provincial subsidies to finance the project. The project would go ahead only if subsidies were secured and the designs were blessed by residents, Vaillancourt said.

The current town hall – while picturesque – sits on a tiny plot and is in desperate need of upgrades. It serves 700 residents. Space is too tight for meetings. Ventilation and accessibility are not up to code. The septic system is inadequate. The current lot is too small for parking or storage. The well is located in a neighbour’s field.