Jun 16, 2014

Time: 9:30 – 12:30

Pineview Free Methodist Church – Basement

Highway 41, Cloyne (at the corner with Skootamatta Lake Rd.)

Master of Ceremonies – Paul Lindsay

 

1. Welcome and introduction of SDRA ExecutivePaul             

2. Approval of July 2012 AGM MinutesPaul

Motion to approve last year’s minutes: Bob Reiser. Ron Nowell seconded.  All were in favour and minutes were approved.

3. Election of DirectorsDebbie           

• Debbie recognized Lynn Garnish VP, Gary Evans WebMaster, Derek Mendham Sheldrake Lake rep (not present) and thanked all of them for their contributions to the SDRA.

• Special recognition for Lynn Garnish who has donated 24 years of service to the SDRA.

• Gary was recognized for his contributions to website management over the years.

• Sandra Clarke will be VP (not secretary)

           Nominations from the floor

• Joel Arthur was nominated by his father for Director.  

• Gary nominated Paul Grennell for Webmaster. Seconded by Ron Nowell.

• Nancy Kallina nominated Jen Robertson. Seconded by Paul Lindsay.

• Marilyn Stewart nominated herself.  Seconded by Malcolm Stewart.

• Ron Nowell approved the nomination; seconded by Bob Reiser.

4. Treasurer’s Report - Approval of BudgetNancy  

• Membership up. 10 new members from 180-190. Goal is 200 members. Budget is based on 192 members. Specifics of the report included:

• Boat Launch – we collected over $700 last year for the Boat Launch.

• Communications – expenses are higher this year due to changes to the newsletter. Tried to keep the cost down while maintaining a quality look. Saved over $500 this year on costs of putting this out.

• Member Events – costs were up due to the new Lake Festival event, which was enjoyed by all.

• FOCA signup fees – we have rejoined this organization recently

• Community Donations – made a donation to Cloyne Historical Society with a focus on youth employment

• Purchased Fire pump and new hoses

• Tents for festivals – purchased a tent for use at social events/festivals

• Lake Festival budget: $1500 same as last year

• Cash surplus of $17,300 at the end of last year. Goal is to now spend what we take in. Compared to other FOCA members, our reserve is healthy.

• Fireworks – good surplus on this.  Contributions have gone up this year which is good.

• We are one of the only organizations that still sends a hardcopy newsletter (most are e-news). Do we still want to do this or move to email newsletter?

Newsletter Dialogue:

• Ron Nowell mentioned that he prefers to get the hardcopy and would like to make a motion to keep producing it. Many others agreed and want to keep the hard copy newsletter coming so they can show to guests, etc. Gwyneth Morais commented that advertisers appreciate the hardcopy.

• Karen Blake complimented the board on the quality of the communication. Suzanne Stevens loved the newsletter and suggested that members have the option of not receiving the hard copy newsletter and pay slightly lower dues.

• Motion to accept: Ron Nowell. Seconded by: Bob Reiser.

5. Lake Events and Volunteer needsDebbie  

• Great feedback from Lake Festival. Attendance in 2012 was over 200 people. Great success!

• Geocaching and Art Show are two new activities taking place this year.

• Photo Contest needs judges this year.  Jane is coordinating this.

• Debbie wants help with the newsletter and is willing to share or pass it over to someone else.

• Debbie thanked Paul Grennell and Joel for help with Facebook and Website work. Paul G. is willing to train anyone who wants to help move content over from old site to the new site.

• History Project has been put into digital format and there will be a new link on our website.  Renaming this project as “Tales of the Lake” to encourage people to contribute stories, photos, etc.  

• Water Testing – Malcolm would like help with this, especially in the Sheldrake Bay area.

• Lake Festival – need volunteers to help with cleanup and with running Kids’ games.

• Debbie asked for volunteers for all SDRA events and thanked people who have already volunteered

• Cottage Life TV Series – Debbie was approached by Weekend Reno TV show about filming on Skootamatta.  Three cottages on the lake have been selected.  Filming commences next week. Before and after photos will be included in the newsletter next year. There is still time for others to submit applications to have their cottage included.

6. Member questions to the SDRA BoardPaul Lindsay

• Cutoff date of July 31 for Membership for this year.  Paul’s Pops will go out to all members only.

• Question from a member re: merchandising and where to get Skoot products. Nancy will follow up with her.

• Greg Castellano asked whether there are Ministry requirements to fill in unused wells.  No one had heard of this.  Debbie will follow up with FOCA or the MNR to find out if this is actually a requirement and will communicate this to members.

• Bill Blake asked about the poor condition of the Jacques’ Bay Road and whether the township has plans to install guard rails on the road. SDRA will contact Addington Highlands to find out when and if this will take place.

• Member Gordon Birnie asked about Hydro’s possible past use of Agent Orange: were the Hydro right of ways sprayed 30 years ago? Debbie read Hydro’s response letter to all members. Hydro One uses selective application of herbicides to control vegetation growth, but only with permission from landowners. Different techniques are used in different areas.  According to Hydro, Garlon is the predominant herbicide used and is registered by PMRA and does not pose a risk to human health or the environment.  They maintain that for decades they have used approved herbicides. Use of 245T Herbicide several decades ago was investigated recently and report is available on Hydro One website and www.wsib.on.ca.  Members can contact Debbie for additional information.  

• Member Bruce Cooke asked about resurfacing Jacques Bay road.  Reeve Hogg responded that the first section will be done this year, and the rest is on the slate to be completed (no date given).

• SDRA Board Member Sandra Clarke wondered if friends who visit the lake could join the association even if they don’t own property here.  Possible non-voting membership could be created.  Guidelines will be released in January on this and will be discussed on next board meeting.

• Member Gordon Birnie asked about MNR maintaining a proper Lake Level.  Quinte Conservation rep responded, noting that Q.C. has been monitoring lake levels which have been 15cm higher than target levels. A log was pulled from the Skoot dam at beginning of July but will be replaced this week to maintain the target lake levels.  Q. C. explained that last year’s low lake levels were a result of drying up along the Moira river watershed. Rep encouraged cottagers to contact Q.C. if there are issues regarding water levels on the lake.  Q.C.’s climate change monitoring program is studying its effect on water levels, dams and lakes and streams.  Malcolm discussed the positive relationship the SDRA has established with Quinte Conservation.  A page will be added to the website to allow members to read about what’s happening with the water levels on the lake.  Malcolm urged members to be flexible with their approach to being on the lake (ie. adjust dock placement as necessary).  Snap gauges (?) will be put in place by the SDRA in two locations on the upper lake and lower lake to help monitor lake levels. Quinte Conservation also measures water quality in the area but rep wasn’t sure if Skootamatta was one of these sites.

• Malcolm noted that through the Lake Partnership Program we measure phosphates and water quality.  Every measurement taken to date has shown positive results compared to other lakes in the region. Data is sent to Lake Partnership Program and results of testing can be seen online and monitored over time.  See Malcolm for further information on Lake Management.

• Ron Nowell commended the SDRA on the Boat Parade.  Proposal to adjust the pace next year (slower). Ron gave a reminder that the parade missed the Oborne Point shoreline. Sandra suggested the route be mapped out and possibly have a different starting point.  

• Ron Nowell wondered about lot maintenance at Trail’s End

• A member thanked the board for all their work this year.

7. Raffle - Paul

8. Formal meeting adjourned at 11:25a.m.

blog comments powered by Disqus

Archive