William Crooks
Residents filled Centre Lac-Brome on Aug. 4 for a council meeting dominated by concern over tree-cutting along the shoreline. Extra chairs were brought in to accommodate the overflow crowd.

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

A standing-room-only crowd of around 80 residents packed Centre Lac-Brome for the Aug. 4 Brome Lake council meeting, demanding answers about the controversial topping of trees along the waterfront at 287 Lakeside Road. The meeting lasted nearly one hour and 40 minutes, with many attendees leaving visibly disappointed. Extra chairs had to be brought in to accommodate the large, vocal crowd, many of whom expressed frustration over the council’s refusal to comment on the situation.

The issue has stirred heated debate on the Knowlton.com Facebook page and around town, after dozens—possibly more than 100—mature trees were topped on Trestle Cove Island, a property belonging to the Town of Brome Lake in front of a lakefront property owned by Knowlton resident Pierre Beaudoin and Hélène Robitaille. A photo posted to the page shows a permit for shoreline work was issued on Nov. 1, 2024, under certificate number 2024-495, and remains valid until Nov. 1, 2025. The document, signed by a municipal staff member, refers only to general shoreline work on a serviced residential property.

At the opening of the meeting, Mayor Richard Burcombe addressed the topic head-on but offered few details. “There’s been a lot of information going around on social media in recent weeks regarding the Trestle Cove file,” he said. “At the moment, we don’t have any new elements to share, since the file is still under review. And because it’s an active administrative matter, we can’t comment.”

He added, “We are actively working on this file and as soon as we have details to communicate, we will do so. That could take a few more weeks.”

Burcombe warned the crowd that no further answers would be given. “We’re not going to get into a debate about what someone said or what’s being claimed. You need to understand how the process works, and it will continue the way it’s supposed to.”

His remarks did little to quell the concerns of those in attendance.

One resident asked what steps the town was taking to clarify the limits and responsibilities of private property owners adjoining the town’s public shoreline. “Some owners argued for decades against public access, citing the risk of vandalism and misuse,” he said. “But what we’ve seen is the opposite—the damage has come from the landowners themselves. What is the town doing to enforce the boundaries and prevent this kind of encroachment?”

Burcombe responded by noting that past objections from property owners had mostly been resolved when a bylaw was introduced several years ago. “Some expressed discontent, but there was no formal opposition,” he said. “There have been some infringements—we’ve seen steps or fences installed without permission—and we’ve taken action in those cases.”

The mayor mentioned a specific instance near Douglass Beach where the town had asked a resident to remove stone steps built on municipal land.

Another resident raised the question of whether it was clear what kind of tree work required permission from the town. “If a homeowner tops trees or removes limbs, is a permit required?” she asked.

The town’s response suggested that it depends on the case. The town clerk explained that while a list of permits is posted monthly, some tree work may not be explicitly mentioned. “You might not see tree topping in a permit report,” he said. “It’s more of a verbal permission process.”

Mayor Burcombe added, “If someone’s trimming dead limbs or topping a tree, they usually don’t need a permit. But cutting down a healthy tree—especially near the lake—does require permission and a valid reason.”

Another resident of the area pushed the point further. “It’s important people understand that you can’t just cut down a healthy tree near the lake without town approval.”

Several residents questioned the town’s lack of action in reporting the matter to law enforcement, pointing to federal laws around wilful property damage.

One citizen quoted the Criminal Code’s definition of mischief, asking, “When there’s vandalism or destruction of public property, aren’t officials obligated to report it to the Sûreté du Québec for investigation?”

Burcombe, a retired police officer, dismissed the suggestion. “I know the difference between civil and criminal intent,” he said. “If someone sprays graffiti on a wall, that’s mischief. This isn’t the same. The police wouldn’t even open a file—it’s not criminal.”

When pressed further, he added, “It’s not rocket science to know what’s criminal intent. We don’t need to call the SQ for this.”

This led to further dissatisfaction. “So, the town never reported the situation? There’s no process to escalate it?” the resident asked.

“The file is being handled administratively,” Burcombe said firmly. “We’ll follow up internally and communicate anything that comes out of the analysis.”

Another resident questioned whether any councillors who are running in the upcoming election would be allowed to publicly state their opinion on the issue. Burcombe clarified that no member of council is allowed to campaign or share election-related views until after the final council meeting in September. “This is not an election forum,” he said. “Council members will vote on resolutions, and that’s it.”

Later in the meeting, a longtime resident raised a past case reported in the local newspaper where trees had been cut along another section of waterfront without apparent consequence. “There were complaints, but I never saw anything happen,” he said. “Is there any record of follow-up in these cases?”

“There are always consequences,” Burcombe replied, but did not elaborate.

As question period ended, many attendees left visibly disheartened by the lack of clarity. Several remarked that the Knowlton.com Facebook page had been more informative than the meeting itself.

Other business from the Aug. 4 council meeting

Despite the focus on the tree-cutting controversy, council worked through a full agenda of routine municipal affairs:

• Accounts payable: Council approved $2.8 million in payments, including $1 million for new sidewalks and culvert repairs, and $750,000 in surplus funds for additional paving projects.
• Winter road preparation: Construction DJL was awarded a $65,883.50 contract for 4,000 tonnes of abrasives for the 2025–2026 winter season.
• Pickleball courts: Three new courts were approved, with Asphalte Bernier receiving the initial contract for $25,622.37.
• Natural conservation: A $30,000 grant from the Fondation de la Faune du Québec will be used to expand the town’s contract with Corridor Appalachien for conservation planning of natural and wetland areas.
• Temporary freeze on developments: An interim control by-law was adopted, suspending new multi-unit and multi-storey residential developments in the downtown core while the urban plan is being revised. This includes a pause on new subdivisions, street openings, and integrated development projects.
• Public safety: The nautical patrol on Brome Lake carried out 146 interventions in the past month, with 34 users expelled for failing to wear life jackets.
• Infrastructure projects: Roadwork on Victoria Street is now complete, with the second phase of work scheduled to begin in mid-September. Line painting and bridge repairs in collaboration with the provincial transport ministry are expected in the coming weeks.
• Building permits and minor variances: Council approved multiple residential renovations and signage applications for properties on Lynch, Maple, Davis, d’Avignon, and Victoria.

The next council meeting is expected in early September. Many residents are hoping it will bring clearer answers—and potentially, accountability—regarding what happened on the shores of Brome Lake.