Mayor Lee Patterson opened the meeting with a clarification regarding a controversial residential development project called Nookside on Spring Hill between Knowlton Rd. and St-Paul St.
The mayor said that contrary to what representatives from Constructions Clément Robert of Granby claimed at a citizens’ meeting August 25, the Town of Lac-Brome has not received a formal project proposal and is not involved in pushing the project forward. The developer has consulted closely with town employees to learn about regulations and procedures surrounding such a project. But that does not mean that Council backs the project or is in any way involved in it, he said.
Mayor Patterson said that the citizens’ meeting in question had been organized by the company, and that it would have to organize a new meeting if ever the project is officially submitted to the town for zoning changes and approval. The developer is proposing to build 54 homes (30 single-family and 24 semi-detached homes) on 16.8 hectares along Coldbrook. The land in question currently has about 10 lots, and this type of project would require a zoning change. Residents have concerns about over-densification, access, traffic, diminished quality of life, water and sewage.
635 Lakeside Rd.
Council decided that a controversial project at 635 Lakeside could go ahead, unless citizens requested a referendum. Residents are unhappy with the town’s handling of the project and also unhappy with the design of the new house. Citizens had until Sept. 28 (after Tempo went to press) to gather enough signatures to force a referendum.
The saga began when the owner of the property tore down an old cottage, without a permit, and sought permission to build a new house that was in violation of zoning rules. The new house was too big for the lot, too close to the road and too close to a wetland, but the town was prepared to give the go-ahead until a group of neighbours complained.
The owner has since reduced the size of the house to the allowable 20 percent of the lot, and Council voted to allow the owner to build, with some conditions including a requirement to landscape the property. Councillor Patrick Ouvrard was the only one to vote against adopting the revised plan.
Bondville sewage
The Town announced the awarding of contracts amounting to more than a half million dollars, related to replacing an 85-metre section of the sewer line on Bondville Rd., technical services for materials control and construction monitoring.
That is the section that broke over the winter. The section was not replaced when major work was done on sewage lines some 15 years ago. Mayor Patterson said it is not known why the town decided not to replace that section at the time.
Concerning the stench of sewage in Bondville, no solution has been found yet. One long-time resident told Council that the stench is unbearable, and that his family is unable to dine or use the outside of their property because of it. Apparently, the smell is unrelated to the broken sewage line.
West Bolton water
TBL concluded an agreement with neighbouring West Bolton to tap a second well for drinking water. Most of TBL’s drinking water already comes from West Bolton. The water is free. TBL will pay $18,000 for expenses already paid for by West Bolton.
French-only voting information
Mayor Patterson denounced Quebec’s decision to eliminate English mailings from Elections Quebec. The decision, based on the Frechette-CAQ government’s Bill 96 requiring Quebec public institutions to communicate in French, is being strongly contested before the courts.
Water and safety
During question periods, several people expressed their concerns about the presence of concerning levels of manganese in the Town of Brome Lake’s drinking water. The mayor said there was money set aside for water treatment but that no actions have been taken to treat the water so far.
Safety on the trails was also a major concern for some. Despite new rules governing speed and behaviours on the trails, people complained about cyclists speeding, shouting and displaying disregard for pedestrians young and old.
Next regular meeting
October 6, 2026, 7 p.m.