By Tony Rotherham
At the December Council meeting, there was considerable discussion about glass deposited in recycling bins.
The IGA in Knowlton has a glass deposit dumpster in the parking lot. More information on recycling glass will be provided in the town’s infoletter.
Council passed a regulation allowing maple syrup operations in areas zoned residential, but with forest that is predominately sugar maple. Permits will be required and operating guidelines must be followed for three categories of operation: Family, with less than 100 taps; Artisanal with 100–500 taps; and Commercial with more than 500 taps. Small cabins can be installed for syrup production, but no public commercial activities are allowed.
New regulations included restrictions on parking on municipal roads, on door-to-door sales (colportage) and on the management of beaver dams on private land. A contract was approved to remove beavers and dismantle a dam in Bolton Pass to avoid damage to the road.
New committee and appointments
A new municipal committee has been established to consider applications to demolish buildings. The building inspector has been given responsibility for maintaining regular flow of streams flowing through the municipality and to ensure removal of materials or debris blocking the even flow of water.
Councillor Eddy Whitcher was appointed Deputy Mayor.
Caroline Chrétien was promoted to Deputy Clerk and salaries of municipal staff will be adjusted in conformity with the Consumer Price Index in 2026.
Town Hall renovation plans begin
The small parcel of land required for renovation of the Town Hall has been purchased and non-agricultural use approved by CPTAQ.
At the January Council meeting, it was confirmed that planning will begin. Careful analysis of the need for additional common work space and private offices is needed, architectural planning, well and septic system planning, cost estimates, and application and approval of a provincial grant are required. It is estimated that all this will take about a year. Then construction can start.
The provincial government has approved financial assistance for maintenance and improvement of municipal roads. Council membership on Municipal advisory committees was approved. And an agreement on summer maintenance of several roads leading from West Bolton to properties in St. Etienne has been signed with the municipality of St. Etienne.
Next meeting
Next meeting: February 9, 7:30 p.m.
West Bolton budget
Property taxes are going up in West Bolton, with the mill rate and fees rising to $0.3935 in 2026 per $100 in assessed value. That is an increase of 6.35% ($0.0235) over 2025 rates which stood at $0.32 (tax rate) plus $0.05 (fees for SQ, fire department and First Responders).
The 2026 budget was presented on January 19. The main expenses are roads, administration, public safety and waste collection.
West Bolton maintains 70 km of roads including 40 culverts that need to be replaced. Total revenues for 2026 will be $2.7M, of which $1.94M comes from property taxes.