Photo by William Crooks
Lennoxville Councillors Guillaume Lirette-Gélinas, Claude Charron, and Jennifer Garfat

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

At Lennoxville’s monthly public borough council meeting on Sept. 24, presided over by Borough President Claude Charron, the primary focus was on a potential change to the speed limit on Thomas-Woodward Road. This issue, raised by residents concerned about road safety, sparked considerable discussion among council members, who debated the borough’s ability to address the matter within existing provincial regulations.

A speed study conducted on Aug. 8 revealed that the average speed of vehicles on Thomas-Woodward Road was 47 km/h, with 85 per cent of drivers staying under 55 km/h. However, the posted speed limit remained at 60 km/h, a limit that has been in place for over 15 years. The winding nature of the road and the higher density of residences between Bowen and des Rigoles Streets have caused some residents to request that the speed limit be reduced to 40 km/h.

Council members discussed the challenges of responding to this request. One member highlighted the significant risks associated with higher speeds, especially for pedestrians. “Every kilometre per hour past 30 km/h increases the risk of serious damage in the event of a collision,” he stated. He went on to explain that the closer a vehicle gets to 50 km/h, the higher the likelihood of fatal consequences in pedestrian accidents. Despite these concerns, the borough’s hands are tied when it comes to lowering speed limits without provincial approval. “The city of Sherbrooke cannot make a change to 40 km/h without permission from Quebec,” one council member explained. The borough has already made a formal request to the provincial government, asking for permission to lower the speed limit. However, as it stands, a response from Quebec could take some time.

In the meantime, the borough plans to implement safety measures that it hopes will mitigate the risk. These include placing signs at the intersection of Thomas-Woodward and des Rigoles to make the junction more visible to drivers. There will also be a review of the placement of the current 60 km/h signs to ensure they are appropriately located. As part of a public safety awareness campaign, the borough office will distribute signs encouraging drivers to reduce their speed to 40 km/h voluntarily.

One council member voiced their frustration with the limitations placed on the borough. “I would have liked to propose widening the shoulders of the road so pedestrians feel safer,” they said, emphasizing the importance of providing more space for foot traffic in this area, which sees a considerable number of walkers. Although the suggestion was not formally adopted, it highlighted the council’s recognition of the road’s challenges.

In addition to the speed limit discussion, the council also addressed several other items on the agenda, including financial assistance for the Uplands Cultural and Heritage Centre. The borough has committed to providing $10,000 towards a $20,000 study to evaluate whether historical objects currently housed in Uplands’ main building can be stored in a climate-controlled space in its red barn.

As the meeting drew to a close, council members took the opportunity to highlight upcoming community events. Among these is the Giant Pumpkin Festival, set to take place on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The annual event has grown steadily in popularity, drawing in families and residents from all over the borough. “It’s a wonderful family event, and if you’ve never seen the giant pumpkins, it’s worth coming just for that,” one council member remarked.

The councillors also acknowledged the retirement of Paul Chapdelaine, the borough’s longtime coordinator, who has served Lennoxville for nearly 20 years. “Paul has been an invaluable resource for our team,” a councillor said. “His knowledge and dedication to the borough will be missed.” Chapdelaine, who started as an inspector and later became the coordinator, received praise for his professionalism and his commitment to the community.

Before adjourning, council members reminded residents about Sherbrooke’s upcoming urban planning consultation on Oct. 23. The borough encouraged community participation in the event, which will allow citizens to provide input on the future development of the city.