2007 AGM Minutes
Wolfe Lake (Westport) Lake Association
July 14, 2007, 1:30 pm
Held at Camp IAWAH
48 Members were present
Business Meeting
1. Glen Ewen, President, welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Jane Hutchison moved that the minutes of the last meeting be accepted as written. Seconded by Duncan MacDougall. Passed.
3. Water Quality Report:
- Duncan MacDougall stated that the Water Quality report for 2006 is in the Newsletter 2007 and noted the discrepancy in results between the set of test done by the Ministry for the Lake Partners Program and those reported by the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA).
- Four sets of tests have been done in 2007. Results are available for May and show good levels for phosphorous and water clarity which is 6 meters.
- A few adult zebra mussels have been found and lots of larvae. Monitoring devices have been placed at 5 sites around the lake and will be read on a regular basis.
4. Bob Vandenberg moved that the financial statement for 2006 be accepted as printed in the Newsletter 2007. Seconded by Duncan MacDougall. Approved.
5. Shoal Markers are in place and if any markers are missing, members are to notify Roy Chisamore at (613) 273-5352.
6. New Executive:
- Anne Buff nominated Walter Rosser as Director-at-Large. Seconded by Jane Hutchison. Passed.
- Dick Brown nominated Roy Sunstrum as Director-at-Large. Seconded by Warren Snelling. Passed.
- Warren Snelling nominated Bob Smythe to be the Treasurer. Seconded by Bob Vandenberg. Passed.
- No nominations were put forward for the Director of Fishing, Vice-President, or President.
- Two directors-at-large, David Edge and Bill Hutchison, were nominated in 2006 after the AGM. Bob Vandenberg moved that they be ratified. Seconded by Cindy Grace. Passed.
7. Betty-Jo MacDougall moved that the following current executive members be ratified. Seconded by Warren Snelling. Passed.
- Glen Ewen to continue as Interim President,
- Maureen Edge as Secretary,
- Duncan MacDougall as Director of Water Quality,
- Roy Chisamore as Director of Shoal Marking,
- Shirley Ewen as Newsletter Editor,
- Manjit Kerr-upal as the Green Lake Representative and
- Barry Charnish, Bob Vandenberg, Jim Buchner, Ron Pollard and Marilyn Brown as Directors-at-Large.
8. New Business:
- A suggestion was made to purchase hats or t-shirts with the Wolfe Lake logo.
- A discussion of the Wolfe Springs Resorts followed. Matthew Derbyshire President, Clermont Ventures Corporation Limited, attended to explain the concept and to answer questions as did Ron Pollard, councilor for Rideau Lakes Township. This corporation will sell shares to the vacationing public for fractional ownership which will entitle them to a five week stay in one of 14-2 bedroom units. One permanent resident will live on-site. The resort will be constructed on the site of the former Green Shingles. No change in zoning was required as the property was already zoned Commercial. Matthew stated that there is a net gain to the environment as the gas pumps and tanks have been removed, a new approved septic system will be installed, the restaurant has been closed and the set-back for the units will be 40 meters. The municipality requested an environmental study and this has just been finalized.
- Concerns expressed were rental of sea-doos and the use of snowmobiles. Sports being promoted at the resort are golfing, swimming, fishing, skating, and cross-country skiing. Fourteen slips will be available for the owner’s boats.
- Another major concern was that Wolfe Lake not end up looking like Muskoka which resembles a suburban city. Wolfe Springs Resort could set precedence for future similar developments. There is strong desire by the membership to maintain as much as possible the natural beauty of Wolfe Lake.
- Dick Brown moved that the executive consult a lawyer to see if it would be feasible to go to the OMB about this development and that we set up a sub-committee to look into the resort. Seconded by Bruce Maynard. Passed. Glen asked those interested in the sub-committee to sign-up before they left.
- The executive will be meeting shortly to act upon these suggestions.
9. The Business meeting was adjouned.
10. The guest speaker was Patrick Larson from the RVCA.
- Since 2006, under the Watershed Watch, RVCA has tested 40 lakes for phosphorous levels and clarity three times a year. He explained that the discrepancy in the results of the Wolfe Lake water tests for 2006 was due to different methods of sampling by the Ministry for the Lake Partners Program and the RVCA. The results should be used in parallel. Monitoring trends in water quality is important to identify and rectify sources of water contamination. Overall, Wolfe Lake is in good shape.
- A Lake Management Plan is a strategic action plan developed by the lake community to reflect and preserve the special character of a lake. He encouraged us to consider developing such a plan and stated that the RVCA will provide assistance. A plan would provide a consensus on the lake use for submission to the municipalities for planning purposes. However, the plan could not be enforced unless incorporated into an official municipal plan.
- The next step after the Lake Management Plan is the Rideau Lakes Watershed Plan which builds on the first.
- New regulation requiring environmental approval for water front changes came into effect Jan 1, 2007. Environmental approval is now required for all shoreline alterations.
- A question ‘What to do about the zebra mussels?’ was asked. Patrick said that the calcium content of the lake is moderated and the temperature lower than ideal for the mussels so they may not reproduce too rapidly. Apparently, residents of the Big Rideau Lake have not had to purchase filters for water intakes. Swimmers in rocky areas will need to wear shoes to prevent cuts from the sharp zebra mussel shells. The mussels filter the water so that the sun can reach lower levels which will encourage weed growth. We will have to wait and see.
11. Ron Holman brought greetings from the Rideau Lakes Township.
Minutes recorded by Shirley Ewen, filling in for Secretary Maureen Edge in her absence.
Glen Ewen, Interim President
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