By Robert Paterson
Present: Councillors Lucy Gagnon, Shelley Judge, Louise Morin, Pierre Laplante, Lee Patterson, and Patrick Ouvrard, forming a quorum under the chairmanship of Mayor Richard Burcombe.
Public attendance: 26 members.
Police
The council announced a new invoice from the Sûreté du Québec for $2.7 million, representing 14% of TBL’s annual budget.
According to the mayor, if the town operated its own police force, the cost would rise to approximately $4.5 million or 25% of the budget.
He added that all attempts over nearly a decade to address the issue have been unsuccessful, and in his view, the matter is now settled.
The Duck Farm and the New Fire Station
Due to the Duck Farm rejecting the town’s offer to purchase land for the new fire station, the town has been forced to initiate an expropriation order.
Mayor Burcombe emphasized that the town and Duck Farm have historically enjoyed good relations, with Duck Farm previously making land available for the Community Centre and the CPE La Passerelle Des Mousses.
However, a grant deadline for building the new fire station has left the town with no choice but to act.
The mayor expressed hope that an agreement can still be reached without needing to complete the expropriation.
Town Debt
The council approved new constraints on municipal borrowing to ensure prudent debt management.
The Treasury will keep the council informed, and the public will receive annual updates on the town’s financial situation.
Boat Washing
To protect the lake from invasive species, boat washing will be strictly enforced this summer.
- Stickers will be required for all watercraft, motorized and non-motorized.
- Fines will be imposed for non-compliance.
- Residents of Lac-Brome will not be charged this year.
- Non-residents will pay a $20 fee.
Grants
Several significant grants were awarded to community organizations:
- Action Communautaire Lac-Brome – $6,000
- Film Festival – $20,000
- The Literary Festival – $12,000
- CIDI – $11,497
- Conservation Lac-Brome – $70,000
Stay Informed
📄 Minutes of meetings and recordings of question periods are available here:
🔗 https://lacbrome.ca/en/municipal-life/democratic-life/council-meetings
Next Council Meeting
📅 Monday, May 5, 7 p.m.
📍 Centre Lac-Brome, 270 Victoria, Knowlton
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