Lennoxville Council holds monthly public meeting
By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
The recent Lennoxville Council meeting on June 25 was marked by impassioned discussions regarding escalating traffic concerns and safety issues within the community, human and animal alike. Presided over by Borough President Claude Charron and starting promptly at 5 p.m., a notable point of contention was the frequent and unauthorized passage of large vehicles, including Giant Tiger and Provigo trucks, on roads where they are explicitly prohibited.
“Despite the signs at the entrance indicating no trucks allowed, we still see these large vehicles making their way through,” said one resident during question period. This unauthorized traffic has led to significant congestion, particularly during peak hours. “Tonight, the traffic was backed up all the way to Beattie Road, with vehicles waiting to cross the bridge,” the resident added, referring to St. Francis Street and the bridge across the river to Bishop’s.
The heavy traffic has raised serious safety concerns among community members. The same resident emphasized the potential for accidents due to the congestion. “With so much traffic, it’s only a matter of time before an accident happens,” she stated.
Councillor Jennifer Garfat speculated the recent increase in traffic might be due to the closure of the Joffre Bridge.
Council’s response
The council acknowledged the concerns and referenced previous complaints. “A few months ago, [someone] raised a similar issue,” mentioned a council member. They encouraged residents to use the town’s request system for logging complaints, ensuring they are documented and followed up on.
However, the council admitted that there had been delays in addressing these complaints. “It’s been two months since the request was made, and no action has been taken. We need to establish a timeline for these issues to be resolved.”
Residents were urged to continue voicing their concerns through official channels to exert pressure and prompt action. “The police have to be informed about the repetitive truck traffic. Specific times and dates when these violations occur should be noted for effective intervention,” the council suggested.
The same resident shared a frustrating encounter with the police. “I informed a police officer about the trucks and buses, and he advised me to file a complaint. But how can I note down the license plate numbers or specific times when I’m driving?” she lamented. The council reassured that these reports are crucial and advised providing as much detail as possible to facilitate police action.
