Box 142, Westport, Ontario K0G 1X0
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Box 142, Westport, Ontario K0G 1X0 |
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July 25, 2009 Attendance: 25 people 1. Glen Ewen, Interim President, introduced Jeff Friesen, Director of Camp IAWAH, who welcomed everyone to the camp, described its program and invited everyone to the annual Open House in late May/early June. 2. Gary Davison, Mayor of the Township of South Frontenac, spoke of the importance of lake associations in reporting problems and providing feedback to local government authorities, who do not have the staff or resources to be everywhere they are needed. He discussed possible solutions for rural garbage collection, the unacceptability of back lot development and the improbability of township funding for improvements to privately owned cottage lanes. 3. Ray Smith, Deputy Fire Chief for Bedford District, urged cottagers to ensure that their lanes allow adequate clearance and are capable of supporting a 35,000 lb vehicle to allow access for emergency equipment. He noted that permits are required for all burning, with the exception of campfires, in Bedford District, and are available from Barry Jenkins in Burridge or himself at WTC in Westport; that working smoke alarms are required by law on every level of all homes, cottages and trailers, and outside all sleeping quarters; and that the department’s Zodiac fire boat will respond to all fire calls at water-access cottages on Wolfe Lake, regardless of whether they are located in Bedford or Rideau Lakes. 4. In the absence of Ron Holman, Mayor of Rideau Lakes Township, Glen Ewen noted that the township plans to inspect the septic systems on approximately 20 randomly-selected properties of the 60 along the north shore of Wolfe Lake (extending approximately from Bluff Point to the 11th Concession). 5. Marty Humphrey, from the Bedford District Historical Society, described his organization’s efforts to preserve the community’s identity by compiling and protecting old photographs, records and other information. They would welcome new members to their monthly meetings at Glendower Hall. 6. Lyndon Johnston, Manager of Customer Service for the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC), explained the 2008 Property Assessment Update. For the years 2009-2012, assessments will be based on the amount a property would have sold for on the open market on January 1, 2008, with increases being phased in over the four years and decreases being implemented immediately. Assessments on the 82 single-family detached waterfront dwellings in the Rideau Lakes section of Wolfe Lake have risen by 31% since the last assessment update in 2005, while assessments on the 146 similar properties in the South Frontenac section of Wolfe Lake have risen by 43%. Property owners may wish to check AboutMyProperty at www.mpac.ca, where they can find a profile of their property, with the criteria on which their assessment is based, and compare it with up to 100 similar properties in the area. Requests for Reconsideration (which are free) must be submitted by March 31 and MPAC is required to respond by September 30, so that property owners may appeal, if they wish, to the Assessment Review Board (at a cost of $75) by the end of the year. Further information is available from MPAC at www.mpac.ca, enquiry@mpac.ca or 1-866-296-6722. 7. Glen Ewen thanked the speakers and pointed out the selection of informative brochures available to attendees, including information on zebra mussels and algae blooms, the Ontario Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program, which can reduce property taxes by up to 75%, the RVCA Shoreline Naturalization Program, which can provide funding for shoreline plantings, and information on the continued need for pressure on the provincial government to amend the Mining Act. Business Meeting 8. A motion to accept the minutes of the 2008 AGM as presented in the 2009 Newsletter was made by Duncan MacDougall and seconded by Shirley Ewen. Carried. 9. Cathy Thompson presented the Financial and Membership report, which is also available in the 2009 Newsletter. Membership is down but total assets now amount to $8681, plus any membership fees received today. She reported that Warren Snelling had reviewed and validated the financial statement, thanked Shirley Ewen for her work on the newsletter and Glen for his work on behalf of the Association and announced tentative plans for a social day on August 22, from 3-5 pm, at Camp IAWAH. 10. Duncan MacDougall presented the Water Quality report. The results for 2008 are given in the 2009 Newsletter. To date, he has tested on 3 occasions in 2009, through the Lake Partners program and the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority. The Lake Partners program results will not be available until November, but the RVCA results are very good, with total phosphorus in the deep-water locations under 11 µg/l and in the shallow-water locations generally between 9 and 14 µg/l. The exceptions are at Fermoy (21 µg/l) , probably because of farm runoff following the recent heavy rains, and at the government dam (17 µg/l), possibly because of its location downstream from the golf course, although the test results near the golf course itself are acceptable. Clarity readings are at unprecedented levels of over 10 metres, as a result of the presence of zebra mussels, and weeds are growing in rocky areas where they have never been seen before, because of the increased clarity and the fertilizing effect of the zebra mussels’ droppings. The RVCA will be sampling the new algae blooms appearing throughout the lake to determine whether they are among the limited number of toxic species. 11. Manjit Kerr-Upal presented the Green Lake report. The owners of the sixteen cottages on the lake have a gentlemen’s agreement not to use motor boats, which they would like to make more legally binding, if they can determine how to do so. The mining issue appears to be moving towards a resolution, zebra mussels have not yet made their appearance, and the major problem at the moment is dealing with an explosion of beaver work that has raised the level of the lake by approximately 20 inches. 12. Glen Ewen reported that Roy Chisamore and Bill Blaney have put out all the shoal markers. If any are missing or found floating, Roy should be notified. 13. New Executive Members:
14. A motion to ratify the current executive, as listed below, was made by Bob Maynard. Seconded by Tracy Phillips. Carried.
The surveys have been distributed with the 2009 Newsletter and are available on the Association’s website. Rosanna Bylsma will compile the data in electronic format and volunteers will be needed to help analyze the data and write the sections on the various areas of interest. The Lake Vision will be useful only if we receive good response on the questionnaires, so everyone is urged to complete their own questionnaire and encourage their neighbours to do so as well. 16. Invading species:
Glen Ewen Interim President Wolfe Lake (Westport) Association Shirley Ewen Secretary Wolfe Lake (Westport) Association 
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