2015 Oxbow Lake Cottagers' Association
July 4, 2015 ~ 10:00am, Interlaken Fire Hall 1. Introductions and Welcome – The President, Angie Heydon chairing her 4th consecutive AGM, welcomed approximately 50 cottagers to the meeting, which began at 10am sharp. 2. A moment of silence was observed to remember Bruce Cameron, Ron Lilly and Howard Cambray who passed away in the last year. 3. Special Guests: Lake of Bays Mayor Bob Young, Township Councillor Ginny Burgess were in attendance as well as Shane Baker, District Councillor and Steve Scholton, a Representative from Ministry of the Environment. Guest Township Councillor Ginny Burgess Ginny addressed the membership briefly and left some brochures addressing the issue of shore road allowances because last year there seemed to be a lot of misinformation around our township. Bears – Ginny explained that this is still an issue particularly around Bella/Rebecca area – members responded to her with a resounding YES when she asked if we are having the same issues. Ginny added that if you call the Ministry of Natural Resources you don’t usually get an answer. People on Bella/Rebecca are contacting an organization called Bear with Us. They have really good information and will also go out and capture the bear and take it to a rehabilitation site if there is a major problem. You can also call the OPP, and they would suggest to shoot it if it causes problems or threatens people. Also on Bella/Rebecca, they have started a community Facebook page where you can put in an alert – notifying your neighbours when you see a bear and the location where it was seen. Seems as if one of the nuisance bears is a cub who may have somehow become separated from its mother and Bear with Us has come in to capture it and take it to the rehab centre. The contact at Bear with Us is Mike MacIntosh. The URL for this website is http://bearwithus.org. Ginny invited anyone who wishes to contact her by phone or internet if needed. Finally, Ginny took a moment to thank Lynda Arnold for her continued participation and support on the Sinclair Advisory Committee and for keeping Ginny abreast of happenings on Oxbow. Guest District Councilor Shane Baker Shane serves on District Public Works and Environment Committee now, the Union Negotiating Committee and the Watershed Council in addition to his duties as District Councillor. Snow Removal – Shane reported that the District was over budget by $1,000,000 this winter in Muskoka. Snow removal budget was increased this year and unless we have a really low snow fall in Nov/Dec this year we are already $600,000 over budget in spite of that increase. The $$$ will be found in reserves and other places if need be. Re: the garbage compactors at the transfer station – saved about $30,000 in trucking throughout the district over last year The spring-loaded doors on the compactors have been removed as many people had trouble opening them, and there were even a couple of injuries. Everyone is asked to make sure to close it again after using it. Shane provided Watershed Council brochures. He encouraged anyone interested to join. It is $25 per year; they need the members; membership fees help them run Living in Cottage Country – book he has been handing out at all of the AGM’s in the area, it’s a resource for cottagers to go to and you can learn how to have the lowest impact possible on your lake. If you would like to read it, John Scarfe has the Association’s copy and will loan it to anyone who would like to read it. Re: Bears – there is now a bylaw in effect – if you suspect someone of feeding bears you should report it. The authorities require some form of photographic evidence – if they can obtain such evidence, there will be charges laid. Shane thanked everyone who participated in Annual Limberlost Road cleanup in May. Fire – Shane took a moment to thank Murray Arnold for his 12 years of service as Fire Captain of Station 50 – his dedication has been very important to the station. Shane pointed out that Fire Station 50 is one of three area fire halls in need of volunteers. Shane also reminded us that if you rent your cottage, which is becoming very popular, make sure that your renters know the fire number; many times there are calls to emergency services and the renters don’t even know the address where they are staying. Please also ensure they are aware of the rules and regulations regarding campfires. Mayor Bob Young Mayor Bob conveyed the message that the township’s books are finally looking very balanced this year, there is very little debt and the township is in good shape fiscally. There are, however, a number of infrastructure needs, and there is a renovation planned for the township offices, which are 42 years old, and the library, which he says is long overdue. Also the zoning and building permit bylaws are due to be overhauled next year. The OPP has changed their costing model and the solution has been very difficult for northern communities. Each community has seen increased costs and discussions are still in progress. A new formula is still up for debate and will hopefully be resolved for the next tax year. There has been discussion around whether the new hospital should be one site or a split site in two locations. The hospital board has recommended to the LHIN that the new hospital should exist as one single site and a new subcommittee has been formed to determine where it should be. They will be meeting on the 21st of July. Bob does not support the single site model and would oppose any initiative to close the Huntsville Hospital. A question from Gary Lachance to Mayor Bob – is any trimming of branches at the roadside going to be happening? The response from Mayor Bob and Ginny was that brushing is in progress right now so please let them know if there is a particular area where there is a problem – there is a regular program and increase in the budget for this year. Mayor Bob has invited everyone to please call his office any time. Guest Steve Scholton from the Ministry of the Environment Steve provided a 15 minute power point presentation about the fish population on Oxbow Lake as compared to Dotty Lake and the other lakes in the area. The report will be emailed to Gary Lachance for distribution and also will be visible on Muskoka Waterweb as well. The URL for the website is http://www.muskokawaterweb.ca 4. Secretary’s Report – Motion by John Scarfe for approval of the 2014 AGM Minutes – seconded by Murray Arnold – MOTION CARRIED. 5. Treasurer’s Report – Motion by Darlene Conlon (filling in for Diana Leicht) for the following: to (a) maintain dues rate at $40 per cottage and to (b) donate $500 to the firehall and $250 to the Huntsville Hospital – seconded by John Lilly – MOTION CARRIED. 6. Lake Steward’s Report – Angie Heydon reported that the water has been tested over the past 20 years and that the quality of the water remains high. 7. Roads Report – Gary Lachance, Ian Goodhand, John Lilly, Jim Vigmond all reported that the grading on both the East and West Roads had been done this year and that the roads were in good shape overall. 8. Lake Markers and No Wake Zone – Angie reported that she met with those living closest to the Narrows and together they agreed on the placement and number of the NO WAKE markers. She reminded us of the importance of slowing down in the Narrows for safety reasons, and to reduce shoreline erosion. John Scarfe reported that the Lake Markers which mark the shallow areas do not have working lights so please be extra careful if boating at night. 9. Sinclair Advisory Report – Lynda Arnold has been attending the regular meetings held at Ginny Burgess’ house and there were no major issues or concern at the current time. 10. Wall of Recognition – Recognizing extraordinary service – John Scarfe made a presentation recommending that the blank wall on the sign board continue to be used to recognize those who had passed away, and who had served the Association and/or the lake community through the dedication of brass plaques each year at the end of the AGM. John invited anyone who was interested to join his Oxbow Lake History Committee, or to submit names of those who have served in the past and not been recognized to date to be considered for recognition. 11. Upcoming Summer Dates -Cocktail Social to be held at Conlon’s July 25th 2015, 5:30pm, 1335 West Oxbow Lake Rd -Annual Regatta to be held on the shores of OLCC on August 2, 2015 starting at 1:30pm 12. Proposed Slate of Officers 2015-2016:
Further appointments made by the OLCA Board: Lake Stewards: Angie Heydon and Peter Heydon Roads Committee: Ian Goodhand, Gary Lachance, John Lilly, Jim Vigmond Sinclair Advisory committee – Larry Barber and Lynda Arnold Regatta Marshalls – Angie Heydon and Peter Heydon West Oxbow Cottage Sign – Ian Goodhand Wall of Recognition – John Scarfe Motion to accept the slate of Officers and Directors as well as appointments was seconded by Peter Heydon – MOTION CARRIED. Meeting adjourned 11:14am
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