William Crooks
Councillor Guillaume Lirette-Gélinas, Borough President Claude Charron, and Councillor Jennifer Garfat conclude the Aug. 26 Lennoxville Borough Council meeting, which focused on shared path safety, Queen Street planning, and community funding initiatives

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

The Lennoxville Borough Council meeting on Aug. 26 drew attention to public safety on shared-use paths, persistent garbage issues, and the future of Queen Street, alongside the approval of several financial assistance requests. The meeting, presided over by Borough President Claude Charron, was attended by four residents.

Question period: Pedestrian and cyclist safety

The session’s most detailed exchange concerned a resident’s concerns about safety on a shared pedestrian and cycling path near Samuel-Gratham Street. The path, which is partly managed by private owners and maintained in part by the city, has become a focal point for safety complaints.

“I almost got knocked over the other day. Someone came on a bike with big tires going very fast,” the resident said, adding that many seniors use the path because alternatives are scarce. The discussion revealed that the path is not formally part of Sherbrooke’s official network but is commonly used by cyclists and walkers.

Charron explained that while the city does some maintenance—such as clearing debris and repairing surfaces—the arrangement is informal. “At the moment, it’s a sharing; the bikes are allowed, the pedestrians are allowed,” he said, noting the difficulty of enforcing single-use restrictions.

Suggestions included installing speed limit signage and requiring bike bells to alert pedestrians. “Normally, they should ring. It’s their responsibility in terms of security,” Charron said, emphasizing the need for cyclist education. He also suggested residents report incidents to facilitate patrol scheduling. The borough will investigate possible enforcement and signage measures, while confirming liability questions related to accidents.

Complaints about garbage and traffic violations

Other residents raised concerns about beautification efforts clashing with the reality of visible garbage. One participant remarked, “When they’re talking about spending money making the street beautiful, they need to keep everything beautiful, not garbage.” They cited delays in bulk waste pickup, with appointments stretching to four weeks.

Traffic safety also came under scrutiny. Residents reported cyclists ignoring stop signs and speeding cars on Queen Street. Charron advised that isolated incidents are hard to address but encouraged citizens to provide detailed reports to police for recurring issues.

Queen Street redesign sparks debate

A consultation on Queen Street’s future layout, held the previous evening, continued to stir strong feelings. The project, which includes upgrading crosswalks to provincial standards, has raised questions about parking availability and pedestrian safety.

“There were a lot of comments from the citizens, and these comments will be brought to the table,” Charron assured attendees. He stressed that no decisions are final: “It’s only the beginning; all the comments will be taken into consideration.” Planned upgrades include flashing lights at crosswalks to improve pedestrian visibility, a measure Charron described as “really efficient” in other locations.

Despite assurances, some residents expressed skepticism, fearing decisions were predetermined. Attendance at the consultation was high, with Councillor Jennifer Garfat estimating 180 participants.

Financial assistance approvals

Council approved several funding requests supporting local education and community life:

• Alexander Galt Regional High School will receive $1,000 for its sports program for the 2025–2026 school year. Charron noted this is “a very long-term support, as it is historic.”
• Bishop’s University secured $3,000 for its student patrol program, which monitors neighbourhood safety during peak student activity. The borough also approved $1,700 for scholarships and $3,000 for a new cultural integration project called Oui! Lunch, aimed at helping students learn French and explore Sherbrooke.
• Lennoxville Curling Club received $750 for the annual Borough Bonspiel in October, supporting a tradition where proceeds benefit local organizations.

Calendar adjustment before elections

Council modified its meeting schedule due to the municipal council’s dissolution ahead of elections. The final session will now take place on Oct. 3 at 11:30 a.m., instead of the originally scheduled 5 p.m. slot.

Community updates and events

Council members closed the meeting by highlighting local events: Rivières de Lumières on Sept. 12–13, Townshippers’ Day on Sept. 20, and the Pumpkin Festival on Sept. 28. Other activities include Grace Village’s quilt show on Sept. 5–6 and the Howard Park Rendezvous in early November.

Charron reminded residents that the Queen Street project originated from the need to update crosswalks for safety. “We’ve had many complaints… these crosswalks are going to be upgraded,” he said, noting flashing lights will be part of the improvements.

The meeting lasted a little over 45 minutes, with the next scheduled for Sept. 23.