By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
At the June 18 meeting of the Lennoxville Borough Council, Councillor Jennifer Garfat officially announced her intention to run for Borough President in the upcoming municipal elections this fall. Incumbent President Claude Charron confirmed he will seek to fill the councillor seat Garfat will vacate, effectively swapping roles. “That’s the intention,” Charron said, after clarifying that the two are not running against each other.
Much of the meeting’s focus centred on environmental concerns raised during question period. Hanna Carey, Quebec coordinator for Invasives Canada’s new federally funded Youth Eco-Stewards program, introduced herself and outlined plans to engage local youth aged 12 to 30 in environmental projects such as invasive species removal and pollinator garden support.
“One of the events…is going to be for Pollinator Day,” Carey said, adding that she is collaborating with groups like Sierra Club Canada and hopes to plant wildflowers in both public and private spaces in Lennoxville. She requested the borough’s help in identifying municipally owned land for planting. Carey will be coordinating the program for two years and is aiming to build partnerships with local organizations and city departments. “I’d love to get more youth in the community involved as well,” she added.
Charron said the borough would assist by connecting Carey with municipal environmental players. “We probably can assist you… our leisure department normally is responsible for different organizations in Sherbrooke and Lennoxville,” he said, suggesting that the borough could help link her with relevant contacts. He added that she would be participating in an upcoming planning session for Pollinator Day and potentially partnering with educational gardens at Bishop’s University.
A second resident (and columnist for The Record), Nelson Gonyer, raised concerns about the borough’s grass-cutting schedule, noting that lawns around public monuments were overgrown well into June. “There was one point where you couldn’t see [the flowers] for the grass,” he said, referring to the monument at the entrance to Lennoxville. Gonyer questioned whether the city had effectively extended its participation in the “No Mow May” campaign into June, creating an “unsightly” impression for visitors.
Charron explained that while No Mow May is not a bylaw, it is an encouraged environmental practice, and confirmed that mowing delays are due in part to weather and the city’s workload. “It takes them about three weeks to go around all the spaces they maintain,” he said, citing 126 sites under municipal care. He emphasized that residents should call 819-821-5858 with complaints to ensure follow-up. “If you don’t complain about it, it will stay that way,” he said.
Gonyer also asked about a proliferation of pink flyers stapled to telephone poles during Friendship Day weekend. Charron confirmed the city is aware and dealing with the situation, describing it as related to mental health. “There is a bylaw about putting posters on posts… so that’s not a legal thing to do,” he said.
During the councillor message period, members offered congratulations to Champlain College student Mateo Jarquin for winning a bronze medal at the national science fair and recognized the success of Friendship Day events. They also expressed support for families displaced by the recent fire on Massawippi Street, and highlighted the upcoming Eastern Townships Tea Festival at Uplands. Other topics included a reminder from Garfat that Chimney Swifts are endangered and residents should report sightings, as well as ongoing tick awareness and rabies prevention measures.
