Minutes from the AGM 2003

Approximately 30 members in attendance.

1. Call to Order at 10:00 am by Dennis Choptiany, President/Chairman

The Chairman welcomed the attendees and highlighted the dates for upcoming events (ie. Fun Day, Baseball Day and Bass Fishing Day).

2. Guest Speaker Shannon Shepherd (MNR)

Shannon gave an excellent PowerPoint presentation on Black Bears, focusing on mothers and their cubs. Although bears have been sighted around Koshlong Lake in the past there have been no reports of any sightings so far this year. Shannon indicated that bears are attracted to food and have a keen sense of smell, so everyone should clean up garbage and not leave any food or ‘animal treats’ outside. If anyone sees a bear they should not immediately run away, but rather back slowly away while keeping an eye on the bear. However, if confronted by a black bear she emphasised that people should never run or ‘play dead’, but rather make yourself appear as large as possible and yell, throw rocks and be aggressive, because the natural tendency of black bears is to flee from danger. Pamphlets on black bears were distributed.

3. Treasurer’s Report

Reference was made to page 28 of the Wavelength, copies of which had been mailed. Although total amounts were correct, the Fire Box Fund entries in 2002/3 incorrectly included values from 2001/2. These will show properly in the next Treasurer’s Report. Acceptance of the revised Treasurer’s Report was moved by Bob McCaulay and seconded by Nick Mensink.

4. Secretary’s Report

Dennis asked for acceptance of the AGM Minutes of 2002. As there were no errors or omissions, this was moved by Julia Harrison and seconded by Lola Guiler. The motion was carried.

5. Membership Report

Thanks to the effort of John Becker, the total number of paid members for this year is 173. Dennis congratulated John on his hard work and also gave thanks to the members for their support.

6. Boating Certification

Everyone was reminded that a valid certificate is required for all people driving a boat that is less than 4 metres long. A full write-up on the regulations is on pages 23-25 of Wavelength. Several members indicated that they have already taken the test and found it quite straight forward, but all are encouraged to study available material and take an authorized course. The KLA is ready to arrange for a course if enough members request it. All those interested should contact Barb Allan (see page 6 of Wavelength for more information).

7. Lake Stewardship – Terry Corbett

Terry gave a presentation on the status of Koshlong and the testing that is scheduled for this year. Based on prior testing, the lake is in good shape. The Ministry of the Environment has stated that tests should be done once per year and they will analyze those samples. However, based on the results of the recent survey, the KLA has decided to conduct more tests - at least 6 tests in various bays and channels, to be done twice each year. These tests will be analyzed by a private lab. The results will be in the next Wavelength and possibly on the Koshlong Web Site.

Terry noted that the new tests would also look for e-coli and nitrates. John Boore asked about what to do if a neighbour is polluting and was told to report it to the municipality (so that bylaw enforcement could be used to stop it) or contact a KLA director and we will investigate. It was noted that crayfish have disappeared from Koshlong. Members were asked to report their views on this and frog disappearance. These two species are sentinels and might indicate that water quality or fish predators are a problem.

A pamphlet on septic systems was handed out. Two points in it were that septic systems should be pumped out every 3-4 years and people should refrain from crawling into the septic tanks.

8. Municipal Update – Chuck Viner

OPP Staffing – Chuck talked about the possible reallocation of police officers to the Bancroft Office (instead of Minden). He is concerned that service in the Koshlong area might be adversely effected. (Note - in July, the OPP stated that there would be no change to staffing in Minden.)

911 Project – This project is on track to complete the implementation by the summer of 2004. The Chair circulated a copy of the road names that have been accepted for Koshlong Lake. He stated that there was a two week window of opportunity to submit an alternate name (that was agreeable to the majority of a road association members) before the township officially approved the road names. The alternate name should be submitted to the 911 Project Team or to the KLA President before Monday June 30^th. (Note - one of the alternate names that were submitted was accepted by the 911 Team and that road name was approved by the township.). The 911 Team plans to install official 911 signs for road names and cottage numbers during Autumn of this year (in Highlands East) and complete the 911 Project by July of 2004.

Asphalt Plant – Royel paving has applied for approval of an portable asphalt plant at the quarry on highway 503, just west of the Bark Lake Centre. Highlands East council is split on this issue, but Chuck is very much against it. There was a concern that people on Bark Bay might notice an asphalt odour and there could be some environmental pollution at the site. KLA will send a letter opposing the plant if the Bark Bay members learn that these concerns are not being properly addressed.

Official Plan - Setbacks – Chuck noted that the Official Plan has not yet been accepted. However, it is true that the proposed plan will state that there is a 100 ft. setback for all new buildings. Wayne Wilie stated that he was concerned that the KLA had spoken against the plan and that a change to it could make development on Koshlong much easier. Dennis noted that the KLA position was that the designation of Koshlong as a “nearing capacity” should remain, but that allowance should be made for the current setback of 66 ft. to remain. The KLA Board would also vigorously oppose any attempt to sell crown land on the lake. Anyone planning to build should contact the Highlands East Building Inspector at 448-2981.
Borrowing for Road Work – Highlands East is considering a proposal to borrow money from the province (at a very low rate) as part of its 20 year road improvement plan. Preparatory work will be done on this plan in the autumn. Calcium Chloride will no longer be used on roads.

9. Camp Wanakita Development Plans

Steve Heming updated the status of the Camp Wanakita Family Unit development:

· All cabins have been completed, the east kitchen and dining hall have been expanded, and septic facilities have been upgraded,

· Almost half of the cabins have been booked (185 families) for this summer

Steve asked for comments and questions at the end of his presentation.

Steve also provided information on the proposal to develop a 25 metre in-door swimming pool facility to service residents and cottagers in the Haliburton area. He stated that the initiative has been well received and that if developed it would only amount to a municipal tax increase of $5-6. It was moved and seconded that the KLA Board would send a letter of support for the facility and acceptance of this minimal increase in taxes.

10. Election of Directors for the 2003/4 period

All current Directors have agree to serve for the coming, if this is acceptable to the membership. Dennis asked for any new members, but no names were offered.

It was moved by Bob McCaulay and seconded by Linda Boore that the following be elected Directors for the 2003/4 period. Carried.

1. Allen, Barb;                           lot 80, road C1
2. Beaudoin, Karen;                 lot 151, road D1
3. Becker, Gwenne;                 lot 273, Halls Island
4. Choptiany, Dennis;              lot 259, B1
5. Corbett, Terry;                      lot 82, road C
6. Holland, Barb;                      lot 183, road A4
7. Lambert, Dave;                    lot 98, road C
8. Mensink, Nick;                      lot 20, road B3
9. Neufeld, Linda;                     lot 201, road A4

During the discussion it was suggested that others may be involved in the activities of the KLA board in the capacity of “workers” on specific committees. Anyone who wishes to be so involved should contact a Director and offer their services.

9. Any Other Business

a) There was more discussion on the asphalt plant proposal. It was agreed that the KLA would send a letter of opposition to this proposal.

b) In order to inform members about current and upcoming issues, it was proposed that the KLA make greater use of the email process of informing Road Captains. Some felt that all members with email addresses should also be notified. However, it is up to each member to provide this information and notify the KLA that they wish to be included on all general electronic mailings.

c) There was discussion on the KLA making donations to worthy groups or organizations that provide a benefit to KLA members.

The meeting adjourned when it was realized that a quorum was no longer present.