SPRING NEWSLETTER 2010

Maps are available on the town website http://www.gravenhurst.ca/ You association along with the other Lake associations will be interviewing all candidates asking the same questions to all. We will publish an Election newsletter as soon as possible after all candidates have declared and been interviewed. Property owners will be able to vote through mail. Please get informed and vote as the local government has a lot of influence on our day to day lives and we need to make sure they hear and reflect our views

• to help take water samples (by boat) from the 9 locations

• to drive the samples to Pt Carling (Monday afternoons or Tuesday mornings)

The report for 2009 is included in this newsletter. Phosphorous readings improved dramatically since the 1970’s but we have had variable results since 2002. E coli and Coliform indicates higher values than we should have. We have to work hard to show further improvements. The way for us to improve water quality (translate to property values) is to demonstrate to the Town we are doing our best through a Remediation Program and then get the commitment from the Town to do the same. Our Bay receives most of our Town’s runoff. Brian Yeates (705)687-4648 Full report is available www.mla.on.ca

Your association is committed to correcting water on the Bay and commenced last year to concentrate on the area running along the west shore (along highway 169). Natural plants on the shoreline will hold the phosphorous back from the water. We plan to visit each property and seek your support in this very important mission. We are eager to have our property values improved as a result of having phosphorous and bacteria levels corrected. At last year’s Annual General Meeting we spoke of planting the shoreline and we indicated there are inexpensive plants available to you. Plants are offered by Muskoka Lakes Association and Muskoka Heritage (order forms are within this newsletter). These are small seedlings but they will grow quickly and they do not need fertilizer because they are indigenous to Muskoka. Please get your order in quickly as supplies may run out. Need help? Diane Yeates 705-687-4648 dmbmy@yahoo.ca

http://www.muskokabaypropertyownersassociation.com/ or www.mbpoa.ca  If you have any member pictures you want put on the Website please sent them to david.trethewey@sympatico.ca

FOR INFORMATION: t (905) 846-6845 or (705) 687-4917website: www.mbpoa.ca

 SPRING NEWSLETTER 2009

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2009 will be held at the Ontario Fire College Saturday July 4^th at 10:00 a.m.

PAST PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Prior to the Annual General Meeting and after serving four years as President, I opted not to let my name stand for President for ‘08/09.  Paul Moran was nominated by the Directors and became your new President.  Paul had one more year as President of Peel Children’s Aid Board, and one more year till his career retirement.   Paul is with Nortel and as you know January 2009 was brutal to all of us and to Nortel.  He has had to give all his time to his work and so the Directors are coming together to support Paul and the Association.  We know you will look forward to meeting Paul at our July AGM and we hope that life for Emily and Paul will soon be more relaxed.

The Directors are very excited to tell you we now have a WEB SITE.  David Trethewey will give you the update in this newsletter.

At our last Annual General Meeting we discussed REMEDIATION of our Bay.  Our Bay has too much phosphorous and guess what?  The 2008 water quality report by MLA was worse than the 2007.   To view the water reports go to www.mla.on.ca click on Water Quality, then 2008 Water Quality Reports, then 2008 Final Summary Reports.  You will note that the lakes/bays sampling are now all given an overall rating as well as ratings in each tested category.  This will now likely affect our property values even more so than before.  Our Directors have voted to proceed with The Plan and we will be joined by the MLA.  There have been too many sites of algae in the heat of summer.  Let’s get going!! We can change this!! We need volunteers and we need donations.  Please contact me if you can help in this way < dmbmy@yahoo.ca> or  705-687-4648  Diane Yeates. Terry O’Neill has provided a summary of the report below 

Establishment of the MUSKOKA WHARF BOARD as a Municipal Services Board: Last April council agreed that a new management structure was needed for the wharf.  It will have full management and operational control except for by-law enforcement, maintenance of sidewalks, the museum, Steamship Bay road, sale of assets and hiring of employees.

A $10.00 LAUNCH FEE for bringing boats in or out of the water at the wharf marina is presently being considered.  David Trethewey has written 2 letters to the Banner objecting to this proposal.  Word has it this fee may go away.

FLOAT PLANES  (more detail can be found AGM Minutes)

Last May 6^th Town Council passed a recommendation to negotiate a draft lease with Sequin Aircraft Charters and Tours.  Tours would be running to

and from the Muskoka Wharf.   The town would be preparing to lease four boat slips for this purpose.  There was significant opposition from the broader community including but not limited to MBPOA, Greater Gravenhurst Ratepayers Association (GGRA), and residents of the town of Gravenhurst.  We had support to oppose this immediately from GGRA.  A large Canadian law firm, Blake, Cassels & Graydon came to our defense at a greatly reduced fee, to successfully oppose the granting of the lease by the Town.   Several of our members have paid our $5000 bill and now we shall pay those members - interest free.  I know we have all lost funds in the past 6 months but if you can, please help your Association with the repay. 

Two points of interest on this subject.  One, the Town of Gravenhurst owns the boat slips and they have the authority to turn floatplanes away from the boat slips.   The other point is that, while float planes are controlled by Transport Canada, there is little to prevent a site from being called an aerodrome if float planes come and go from a particular site.  I have been told that this goes back to the days of fur trade business.  This is not the first time that a float plane business was considered from the wharf.  Let us hope it is the last!             

May I take this time to thank all the Directors who served with me on our Board for the last four years, for their input and effort in making my job much easier.  I am also thankful to you our members who have contributed your thoughts and support to me during that period.

Diane Yeates - Past President MBPOA

NEW PRESIDENT’S REPORT

First of all, I personally want to thank Diane Yeates for her support of the MBPOA over the last four years and especially for her help over the last several months.

As with many people, we are faced with some unknown factors as we proceed throughout the year.

 I apologize for not sending a Fall newsletter and commit to sending fall and spring newsletters in 2009

What we do know (or should I say hope for) is a nurturing spring, a glorious summer and a bountiful fall.

Your association will continue to represent your interests and continue the strong focus on water remediation, Muskoka Centre, Muskoka Wharf and other areas of attention for the bay.

We want to update our communication process and use email more for updates and feedback. When you renew your membership, please indicate your preference for communication, (email,  home address, cottage address) and help us by ensuring correct addresses are on the form

As a note, several individuals stepped up and loaned the Association,  $5000, to help us get legal representation to understand our rights in the issue of float planes. As Diane wrote we were successful (so far) on stopping the use of the bay for a commercial float plane business. Even though it is hard times for many, it would be great to pay back these individuals. As an example, if 50 people wrote a check for $100 to the association  (directed to pay back those individuals), we could fulfill our commitment to pay back this interest free loan.

Please fell free to contact me via email jpaulmoran@rogers.com or at the cottage 705 687-4917 or at home 905 846-6845

Paul Moran

RESULTS FOR THE 2008 WATER QUALITY TESTING

As human activities in a watershed increase phosphorus is discharged and released into the waterbody from urban drainage, septic systems, shoreline alterations and numerous other man made activities such as fertilization.  As a result, algae grows and the aquatic ecosystem changes in a process known as eutrophication.

A standard method of determining the condition of a lake is to measure phosphorus concentration in the spring at the time of lake turnover (when the ice melts and sinks to the bottom) and by regular sampling throughout the ice free period at designated sample sites.  Our Association samples using these methods. 

A problem that can be encountered with regular sampling throughout the ice free period is that phosphorus concentrations can fluctuate during the sampling period requiring a long-term average for the ice free period.  However, there is scientific evidence that sampling at the time of lake turn over gives a reasonable estimate of that long-term average.

The threshold for phosphorus in Muskoka Bay has been set (through scientific calculations) at 10.25 ug/l (parts per billion).  We therefore want to see our sample analyses yield numbers less than the calculated 10.25 ug/l in order to prevent eutrophication of our Bay.

The results for the 2008 sampling program were somewhat disappointing.  All of our results were ABOVE the threshold.  Our spring phosphorus results were also greater than results for 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2007.  The 2008 results were however less than those analyzed in 2003 and 2005. Further, all sites sampled in Muskoka Bay throughout the season measured ABOVE the threshold.

While there results for 2008 appear to be a concern we must remember the variability that is evident in Muskoka Bay and also that our goal of water quality improvement will not likely be seen in one year but will hopefully be seen over many years with our continued diligence.  

Bacterial samples were also collected in Muskoka Bay in 2008.  Two inner harbour sites continued to display elevated results for total coliform bacteria. One of the two sites in the harbour has continued to display a spike in results for the past three years and there may be some type of point source pollution adjacent to this site.  Further investigation of this site will be required in 2009.

Submitted by Terry O’Neill

WEB SITE

Exciting news! We have been working on a web site for the Muskoka Bay Property Owners' Association www.mbpoa.ca with the help of Bruce Carnegie as web master. We will be letting our members know about things going on around the bay, special events, meetings and as well, our newsletter will be published on the web site. I took pictures around the bay last summer and in the fall and will be taking lots more this year. If you have any pictures or special events that you would like on the web site please send them to me at david.trethewey@sympatico.ca .  There is a link on the site to The Greater Gravenhurst Residents' Association, which we work with for the betterment of the bay and the town. We have also put other links on the web site for your easy access.

It is our hope that we will be able to let members know about things going on like the opposition to the float planes and $10.00 in and out launch fees at the wharf. We have been fighting this issue during the winter and spring and as far as we know that proposal has been dropped.

It is my hope that we can get everyone on the bay to belong to and support our association. The cost of $25.00 is very reasonable to have your association help protect the waters of Muskoka Bay, the investment in your property and your enjoyment on the bay.

The web site address is www.muskokabaypropertyownersassociation.com  OR  http://www.mbpoa.ca either work.

Check the web site often and give us your comments.

Submitted by Dave Trethewey

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL AND DIRECTORS LIST

In the next few days, we will be sending your personal invoice for membership renewal along with an updated list of Directors and their contact information.

LAKE ASSOCIATION OF GRAVENHURST 

(The following is an excerpt of a note to the Lake Associations of Gravenhurst (LAG) from Lola Bratty.  Lola is a member of MBPOA, coordinates LAG, a director of MLA and is a mainstay with GGRA.  Her comments below are all extremely important issues facing us today, many of which have surfaced this winter – Diane).

Issues:

1. Taxes - we all pay them!

Gravenhurst, the budget is passed.  The increase in expenditures is 3.6%.  This includes an 8.5% increase in salaries, wages and benefits.  Reserves are being depleted by 545,308 or 15.3% and debt servicing costs are increasing.  Restraint does not appear to be an option.   Remember the assessments are rising by an average of 28% or 7+% per year so the council is skating on these increases.    We can expect taxes will rise with the assessment.   Since the budget is passed our only option is to ask questions.

District   

I have been monitoring the District budget and the Development charges initiatives.

District

Operating

The District is proposing           a 4.4% increase in the taxes.    This is the net of a rise in expenditures by 8.2% and then a reduction by using a one time Provincial grant to reduce capital expenditures.         The 8.2% incorporates a 5.2% increase in the  tax supported operating budget  for new operating costs and 2.2 million financing costs to cover previous debt and politically driven reductions in development charges revenue plus the 2.6% inflation and 3% in labour contracts and existing contractual obligations.  They have a hiring freeze.

Capital

You will recall that last year there was a great deal of pressure on the District to not place the costs of urban services on non-urban residents.  I was involved in numerous meetings and presentations at District.  Part of this process involved the amount of Development Charges – these are the charges placed on new development to pay for  the costs associated with the development, i.e. roads, sewers, water etc., so that the current taxpayers do not have to bear all the costs.

The historic debt accrued by the District is partially the result of these charges being too low.  The other part is high spending projects for few users.

As a result of the activity last year we the non-urban residents are paying towards the urban costs indirectly and in increased fees for septic system pump outs.  See the 2.2 million financing for previous debt!

Over the winter I have been keeping track of the spending at the District and surprisingly the old pattern, large capital outlays and too low development charges, continues.  The District has now approved a capital budget which will expend 130 million in support of new development over the next 20 years with the taxpayer carrying about 90 million of that – this is the best case scenario.  There has been much verbal positioning about reducing these expenditures, but no action resulting.     

  I am continuing to monitor and think we need to meet to consider what kind of concerted action we want to take.  As we already see a hefty tax increase resulting from the proposed actions and this will continue. 

FYI  The MLA Board is going to convene a June meeting of smaller lake associations and the District tax and spending  issues will be on the agenda.  It is hoped that a concerted effort on the part of the 80,000 cottagers can have some effect.     You will be invited.

2. Ward Review     Bear with me.  We need some facts

This is a carryover item from the first year of this council.  In their strategic plan all members of council agreed that a review of the representation by wards was needed.  This was given to the clerk who compiled the data and proposed options to Council and sought public input. 

Background:  why review the wards?  Here is the current situation

As this chart shows both Ward 2 and Ward 3 residents are very disproportionately under represented and the amount they contribute to the town’s taxes is disproportionately high.  Each of us who live in those wards has less say on our behalf but we carry most of the tax burden.  

A fundamental principle of democracy is that we have fair and equal representation.  Remember the phrase “no taxation without fair representation”.  This most lake residents do not have and that is why this was put on the strategic plan for the council in this term.

This was discussed at the Council meeting last week and reform was rejected.  Only Paisley Donaldson, the Mayor and Lou Guerriero voted for change.     During the discussion opinion was expressed that we as seasonal people are not interested and do not warrant equal representation.  Are they right?  We can do 2 things:  raise it at the meeting and also take action under the Municipal Act.  So I would suggest we talk about this further.

3. Planning Issues and zoning by-law

We are repeatedly seeing projects built without permits and moving ever closer to the water.  They are then legalized after the fact.  They are not all major building projects, but repeatedly the behaviour of ignoring the by-laws is being rewarded.  We also see more and more monster cottage developments too close to the water via enlargements or teardowns.   The result is a cumulative public cynicism as to the need to conform to legal requirements and even worse a jeopardizing of the health and character of the lakes.   If we want to do something about this we are going to have to deal with the new zoning by-law to ensure that grandfathered entitlements do not allow small modest cottages which are non-conforming to morph into many 000 square foot edifices.    If we don’t do this all the work in the OP regarding setbacks and protection of the lake health and character will be undermined.  Most of the activity on our lakes is re-development.  So we are faced with bad old development being turned into bad new and enlarged development.  The other issue is the failure of the buildings department to enforce to the zoning by-law, which they are required to do by law, but which the town does not address.  The plan for the new zoning by-law does not appear to have a public process.  We could question this, otherwise how will our concerns be incorporated?  The old pattern of producing a huge document with limited time to review and input and then pretending that that is consultation would be detrimental to our interests.  These things require expertise and time.

4. 2010

Last year we agreed that we should be looking out for good possible candidates for 2010 and promoting their visibility.  How is this proceeding?  To get a council that also reflects lake residents’ needs then we will have to consider this item.  We also need to think about what issues we will want to strategize on for the election.   

Updates

Gull lake rocks (from Diane – this is the Kendari property owned by the owners of Taboo and is the property and rock face visible to the north from the beach on Gull Lake).

This has been a major time consumer, requiring lots of meetings and thought and discussions.  But here is what happened.

            At the very end of the first phase of the OP process the designation on this property mysteriously changed from residential to urban waterfront – like the wharf.  The Gull Lake residents expressed concern so this was changed back to residential which was what was approved in the final OP.  The land owner appealed.  The landowner had no specific plans for the property, but the proposed designation would give them a blank cheque to do what they wanted.  The Gull lake Assoc (GSLRA) and the GGRA and the MLA all stood up for the residents, hired a planner and went to the first stage of the OMB process.  Then came many subsequent meetings with the applicant and much work and cost on our part.  At the last moment before mediation the applicant withdrew their appeal.  So the property remains residential.    But this too will return.

Vision

There have been new commercial developments in the town which are designed to reflect the mass market landscape of southern Ontario and elsewhere.  This is changing the overall character of the town.   In my opinion this will have a negative impact on businesses in the downtown and if commercial taxes decrease residential will increase.  This is also being reflected in the pressure to have more urbanized shorelines (see planning) and for blasting and changing the rock character of the landscape.  So I would ask that we think about whether we want to encourage the town fathers to undertake a process of identifying what we all want the town to be seen as.    

MUSKOKA BAY PROPERTY OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Saturday July 12^th, 2008

Auditorium, Ontario Fire College

 10:00 A.M.

MINUTES

(Thanks to Bev Heibein and Mary Storey for recording minutes)

1. Call to order, welcome and introduction of Cathy Genereux - chairperson                                                          Diane Yeates

2. Welcome of special guests:                                                                   Cathy Genereux

·        Hank Smith, Mayor Klinck, Councillors Lou Guerriero and Mark Clairmont

3. Sustainable Muskoka                                                                            Hank Smith, guest

·        presented a powerpoint slide show, “Towards a Sustainable Muskoka: Sharing the Vision”, which represents the views of a group of interested citizens from all parts of Muskoka.  The concept was initiated by Climate Action Muskoka, a district-wide, ad hoc group of citizens committed to acting on climate change and sustainability.  The District Government is doing a comprehensive review of its Official Plan so this makes it an opportune time for the citizens of the Muskoka area to make their views and concerns heard.  This presentation is to stimulate discussion on how Muskoka needs our assistance in protecting the social, economic and environmental issues it is facing.  Muskoka has changed dramatically from how we remember it, and how we envision it.  A website, www.climateactionmuskoka.com has been set up to keep the public informed.

4. Town of Gravenhurst Update                                                                Mayor Klinck

·        thanked Diane Yeates for her last 4 years

·        apologized for not being perfect as it related to the float plane issue

·        He believed that the item should never have come back on the agenda from years ago.  He said he was shocked when he read it on agenda and he wants it to be on the record that he apologized.

·        He acknowledged that Hank Smith’s presentation fits in with what Gravenhurst is doing especially with regards to the environment and growth in the area

·        Now that the Terms of Reference have been accepted, the town is advertising for citizens to form an environment advisory group to assist with the zoning plan

·        The Mayor defined the current boundaries of the 4 wards in Gravenhurst.  He indicated that before Thanksgiving the Town Clerk will be recommending a change in these boundaries for better equity and representation.

·        With regards to the Muskoka Centre, he indicated that meetings with ORC (Ontario Reality Corporation) has resulted with all the waste through the sewage treatment and the plant, and the discharge pipes in the Bay, will be removed at the Muskoka Centre.  He asked for MBPOA assistance in pressuring ORC to remove the water tower

·        The Mayor answered questions from the members

5. President’s Comments                                                              Diane Yeates 

·        Diane thanked the Mayor for attending and his update

·        Diane updated the members on:

-         lighting at Boston Pizza (letters and discussion with Bruce Evans resulted in no change and Boston Pizza and Regatta lights remain dark sky ‘unfriendly’

-         Gull Lake zoning change to Water Front Residential due to public pressure

-         the MBPOA Website www.muskokabay.org will have updated information posted for the membership

-         variances and municipality changes – few neighbours receive notification of proposals

-         our contribution of $300. to the Greater Gravenhurst Ratepayers Association for paperwork and they will continue to oversee any issues of relevance to our association

-         float plane issue still needs our attention; there are still unanswered questions

-         WRAFT and the importance of members signing the petition and/or writing letters

-         RCAP – donations can be made to Citizens Environment Watch to help support this initiative, and as well team members are required to assist with the activities the Association agrees to take on

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE  Diane Yeates

As summer time is precious to all of us, I will attempt to make my comments brief and in a point format

• Boston Pizza ‘dark sky unfriendly’ lights have now been doubled with the opening of Regatta Restaurant.  A simple shield would protect our Bay from these lights shining on it, but we still have no resolution.  This week, we have written to Bruce Evans of Evanco hoping that we can appeal to his influence for both buildings to become ‘Dark sky friendly’.

• Kendari Development update – see Lola Bratty’s notes earlier in newsletter.
• Your association formally opposed a plan by the District of Muskoka to levy fees to rural property owners for cost of developing new sewers, pumping stations and water lines.  How was this debt allowed to occur in the first place?   Lola Bratty will speak in more detail to this later.

• Communications:  In the past several years, we have been emailing to our membership.  We have not had the manpower to ensure that our list was properly updated.  Good news!  Help is coming and we hope soon to be able to accurately email our entire membership.  Directors voted recently to proceed with a web site.  We will be able to email you when important information is posted.  If you do not have email, you may wish to have a friend or neighbour notify you as news arises.

• We have, with other lake associations lobbied hard to have variances and severances etc on our Bay, emailed to us.  Through perseverance, this has now been accomplished.  Notices for these municipal changes do not extend to  many people when it comes to lake properties as notification only extends, I believe about 60 meters from the subject property.  We will try to let as many neighbours as possible know what is happening by posting it on the website.

• Your association pays over $300 per year to the Town of Gravenhurst to receive the Council Agenda’s and Minutes paperwork.  Greater Gravenhurst Rate Payers Association (GGRA) uses this paperwork as they attend all council meetings and keep us informed with their minutes and views of each meeting.  This alliance with GGRA keeps MBPOA informed year round when few of our members are here.  Council meetings can be extremely interesting.  If you or someone you know would be interested in attending any meeting and taking notes, it would be most appreciated.

Float Planes:  You sent letters to Mayor Klinck, Councillors, the Banner.  Cartoons of float planes on a busy waterway near the wharf were in the Banner.  Our legal counsel requested a meeting with our Town.  These efforts resulted in Council voting not to proceed with the lease of a slip to Seguin Float Planes.

Float planes are allowed to land on our Bay and allowed to use our waters and slips at the Wharf as any boat does.

MBPOA has asked many questions of Transport Canada we are waiting for their response.  Our concern - float plane traffic is increasing even without a lease business at the wharf.

·        You should be aware that while we were told there would be more controls on float planes if an ‘aerodrome’ was established, we learned that there would  be fewer restrictions. 

·        We have been warned that the establishment of an aerodrome could result in flight training take offs and landings which apparently occurred further north in Lake Muskoka. 

·        At the recent GGRA AGM, members were most concerned about the proposed Float Plane business at the Wharf.  The association sent a letter to the town in opposition and encouraged members to do likewise.  People in town were as opposed as those on the Bay.

·        What constitutes an aerodrome?  It is a place were float planes come and go.  There are few regulations.

·        Know this, if at any time you notice any pilot being reckless, try to get identification from the aircraft, picture if possible and witnesses.  Your association is in communication with Transport Canada and would get involved in reporting.  We recognize that this very almost impossible.

·         We have stopped the leasing of a slip to a float plane business at the  wharf.  We do not have a bill, as yet and may ask for donations towards the cost in the future.

·        Float  planes do come in and out to bringing golfers to local Golf Clubs. 

WRAFT:  you have an update in your paperwork – With the property assessment freeze coming off this year, it is extremely important.  Please write your letter.

Three Directors are resigning this year.  Would Eddy Gasparotto,  Judy Broughton, and John Storey please stand.  Eddy has attended FOCA meetings in Toronto, we hope when job pressures ease Eddy will be back.  Judy was a great help to us in her profession which is  finance at Toronto City Hall  and John Storey has been vice-president and membership chair -  this past winter John put a surname to every lot on the Bay upgrading our membership list – this took a tremendous amount of work.   John is resigning to become much involved in the Dippy (Disappearing Propeller Boats) Association.  On behalf of MBPOA I thank you very much for all of your help.    

Remediation Plan for Muskoka Bay:

Last year MLA with Citizens’ Environment Watch, came together to proactively do a remediation on 3 bays in Muskoka that were all ‘over threshold’ in phosphorous.  ‘Over threshold’ is a term originated by the District of Muskoka.  Our bay, along with Cox Bay in Lake Joe and Breckenrig Bay on Lake Rosseau were the chosen 3.

I should explain that ‘over threshold’ means a body of water has in excess of 50% more phosphorous than it would have had before development by man.

Our bay became over threshold from development over 100 years ago when the shores were clear cut, - as well sewage and other waste was dropped or pumped into the bay and residents mistreated shorelines.

 People on the other 2 bays were very concerned about how the perception of poor water quality could affect their land value.  Both bays immediately started to act on their plans.  Yes, having water quality that is not  as natural as it could be affects the pocket book and there is a stigma associated with overthreshold in the real estate world.

Why then, did Muskoka Bay residents not respond?  Do we not care about our water quality and maximizing property values?  We have all heard about Three Mile Lake   -  ask these people about ignoring water quality and while you are at it, ask them about their property values.

Although our Bay is showing marginal improvement, we have an opportunity, through excellent direction, to show big improvements in our Bay’s health.  It is time to get busy and bring your Bay back to its best.  Let’s be able to say to real estate people that if you can get x$ per foot on Rosseau, Joe or Muskoka, you can get it on Muskoka Bay as well.

Breckenrigg and Cox Bays are well on their way with their plans!  Breckenrigg has chosen to do its own.  They are very concerned about the adverse publicity which poor water quality can bring.

This winter, things have suddenly changed.  Portions of pristine Joe and Rosseau are now over threshold.  Horrors!  I received a phone call while Brian and I were in Florida, from the MLA.  The world had turned upside down and as it was established that too many bays in Muskoka were now ‘over threshold’.  MLA could no longer take the lead and we are now on our own with regards to a plan.

Today we need:

·        people to get involved, 

·        we need to educate property owners

·         we need funds 

·        We need all this to ensure our water quality improves, not deteriorate.  Nobody is going to do this for us.  We have to do it ourselves and we have to do it now.

Last week, I sent an email to Gord Adams, District Chair, suggesting that if resources are being made available on Lake Joe for a plan, they should be made available here as well.  We have had a note back indicating that the District will have a meeting with us but we have no idea whether or not any resources will be coming our way.

The estimated total cost of a plan as noted on the sheets you have been given is $17,000.  We already have $4000.  That amount was contributed last year, $2000 of that from your association.  This means that we probably would need up to an additional $13000 to complete our plan. 

$13,000 is a pretty small amount when you consider the value each of us has in our Bay investment today.  Once again, if in doubt, talk to property owners or look at property listings on 3 Mile Lake!!

In summary, please, please do the following.  Volunteer your services to get our Bay’s plan going.  Donate funds so that we can proceed.  Your donations are tax deductible when made to Citizens Environment Watch   We all make charitable donations each year, why not make this one as a place where you can personally benefit.

Two people have thus far volunteered for the remediation team:  Director Pat Goldthorpe and Terry O’Neill who is a retired from the Ministry of the Environment.  _________________________________

Thank you everyone.

6. Approval of Minutes of 2007 AGM                                                      Cathy Genereux

·        Eddy Gasparotto moved to approve the minutes of 2007 AGM. Loretta Ridley seconded.  Carried

7. Treasurer’s Report                                                                               David Trethewey

·        Current balance is $4472.

·        $16,877.  remains in the special fund for the Muskoka Centre

·        David Trethewey moved the report be accepted.  Seconded by Eddy Gasparotto.  Carried.

8. Appointment of Auditors                                                                       Stephen Levine

·        Stephen Levine moved that Peter Shennett of Orillia be appointed to review/compile the books of the Muskoka Bay Property Owners’ Association for the ensuing year.  Remuneration is to be negotiated by the directors. Seconded by Heather Harris.  Carried.

9. Membership Committee                                                                        John Storey

·        336 memberships forms were mailed to all property on our Bay this year (after a great deal of effort by John and Mary Storey to collect and organize lists of owners)

·        As of the AGM 161 replied, a 48% response

·        10 more signed up at the AGM lifting us above ’07 membership totals

·        30 new members

·        Directors are calling 10 – 12 property owners who did not respond with hopes of signing more members

·        After considerable effort, the database is much improved with the proper owners’ names and contact information on file

·        Alan Goldenberg/Steven Levine will arrange mass emails and hopefully a PDF membership application can be developed

10. Draw for Segwun Dinner Cruise Tickets (early membership payment) – Allen Weiss was the winner

11. Confirmation of the Acts of Directors

·        Stephen Levine moved that it be resolved that: All by-laws, resolution, contract, acts and proceedings of all the Directors of the association, enacted, passed, made, done or taken since the last annual meeting of the Association, be and the same hereby approved, ratified and confirmed.  Seconded by Ernie Bloch. Carried.

12. Directors – Nominations/Election

·        Directors for 2008/9: Ernie Bloch, Kathryn Barkey, Mark Church, Eric Gilbert, Bill Glied, Pat Goldthorpe, Alan Goldenberg, Bev Heibein, Stephen Levine, Paul Moran, Garnet Rich, Les Rozsa, John Soutar, David Trethewey, Diane Yeates

·        No further nominations 

·         John Soutar moved that the 15 individuals named become the Board of Directors for the year 2008 – 2009.  Seconded by Cyril Fry.  Carried.

13. Water Sewers Levy/Other Updates                                                       Lola Bratty

·        Lola provided examples of the cost of sewage treatment plants for a very limited number of homes (eg over $200k per home)

·        she commented on the concerns around the debt reduction for the District of Muskoka.  The proposal appears to be that ALL property owners (including rural, waterfront homes) will be assessed for the cost of providing water and sewer services to urban areas.

·        lobbying for the election of a District Council Chair

14. Other Business

·        discussion took place whether winner should be at the meeting – no decision made

15. Meeting adjourned (moved by Eddie Gasparatto at 12:20 pm)                                                 

District Chair

Gord Adams              (H) 689-2740                                                       1183 Baseline Rd

                                  gadams@muskoka.on.ca                         Severn Bridge On 

NOTE:  Any time you voice your opinion by email or mail, you should send your letter to Cindy Maher (cmaher@gravenhurst.ca) and ask that it be part of the paperwork for that particular issue.  Should the issue ever go to another level eg OMB, your letter becomes part and is reviewed.

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