West Bolton Council 

Tony Rotherham, LJI 

West Bolton Council Meeting– December 2023

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 pro- gram 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 

West Bolton Council Meeting– January 2024

All members of council were present except M. Lanteigne; eight residents were in the audience.
Questions – during the meeting covered the following points: A request for more public consultation on major projects and expenditures – road reconstruction, budgets and town hall renovation. It was noted that there will probably be a public consultation held in March on the renovation of the town hall. 

Hydro-Quebec provided a detailed presentation on the Hilo Energy saving pilot project by Zoom. The project was described in detail in the October issue of Tempo. It will provide free installation of the Hilo equipment in homes in 7 local rural municipalities including West Bolton and St-Étienne. Applications must be received by Hydro-Quebec between Feb 5 and 19 in 2024.
Town Planning – Six permits were issued in December with a value of $1,000. In 2023 a total of 117 permits were issued with a total value of $8,259,000.
Council approved an amendment to RM 460-2023 on peace order and nuisances to include a new regulation prohibiting all use of fireworks throughout the municipality. The objective is to avoid wildfire hazard, reduce nuisance and disturbance of wildlife and domestic animals.
Property tax rates for 2024 @ $0.36/$100 of evaluation were formally approved.
Roads and Infrastructure – John Rhicard has been hired to help supervise road maintenance on a part-time basis.
Public Security – The Red Cross service agreement has been renewed at a cost of $220/yr for a period of three years. 

Next Meeting: Monday, February 19, 2024 

West Bolton 2024 Budget Meeting 

All members of council were present; 14 residents were in the audience. 

The Mayor stated that the budget had been developed by all members of council and the municipal staff. Costs for services like snow removal and waste collection have increased by as much as 20%. Previous budgets were balanced by transfers from the accumulated surplus and revenue from the Welcome Tax. But property sales have dropped and the surplus fund is now at the level recommended for financial stability. The proposed increase of 25% in revenue from property taxes is partly due to the expected reduction in non-property tax revenues. Expenditure 2023 – $2,575,686; 2024 – $2,935,798. Details of the budget can be found on the West Bolton municipal website. The total value of property in West Bolton in the 2024-26 triennial roll has increased by 84% from 2023. The tax rate has been reduced from 0.53/100$ evaluation to 0.36$/100$, a reduction of 32%. Expenditures have increased in administration, public safety, road maintenance, waste collection and snow removal. 

The 2024 Budget was approved. 

The surprising increase in property values was the subject of detailed discussion during question period. The 84% increase in value is not evenly distributed. Some properties declined in value but most increased. It was said that the “assessed valuation” is not as important as “equitable valuation” so that all property owners pay their fair share of the tax load. It is expected that the committee reviewing the future of the town hall will be able to report on their recommendations in February/March 2024.