Back to the Island

 

The warm spring has us all dreaming of getting back to the island. The Birch Island Property Owners’ Association (BIRPOA) is making plans for the 2012 season. Trail maintenance, the Birch Island Branch Library, township and provincial issues affecting Birch Islanders, the health of Sand Lake and island flora & fauna, safety, rights of way, community building and the annual general meeting are some of the items on our list. We hope you'll become a Friend of Birch Island by joining BIRPOA and that you'll consider volunteering to help with any one of these projects. Please meet your fellow islanders at the annual general meeting on August 5th at 10am. Check the marina bulletin board regularly to keep on top of Birch Island activities and make use of BIRPOA's drop box at the marina to send us your membership, suggestions, or other information. Have a safe and enjoyable 2012 on the island!

Jae Shaw , 613-292-2664, jae.shaw@gmail.com, 96 Birch Island

Birch Island Web Site

The BIRPOA web site is a great place to go for information regarding Birch Island goings-on. On the website you'll find our newsletters, a trail map, a list of cottager's names, photos, useful documents and more. Please contribute! Follow us on Twitter at Birch_Island. Our web master is John Curley, jpcurley@gmail.com, 613-359-5085.

Birch Island Branch Library

The Birch Island Branch Library, a lending library run on the honour system, is found along the trail at cottage #57. Your thoughtful donations of books (especially children's books and recent adult bestsellers and nominated/award winning books), DVDs, complete puzzles and games continue to be welcomed. Simply leave them on the counter with a note so that they can be labeled and shelved. For more information contact Bob Cavenagh at 613-359-5461 or e-mail cavenaghr@gmail.com and mention the library in the subject line.

Trail Maintenance

BIRPOA, with your help, ensures the main trails are kept clear and are marked for safe use. Should the main trail require heavier mowing, equipment is barged to the island to cut back growth. We ask that residents mow public pathways attached to their property. Ry Weisiger is overseeing trail maintenance and trail volunteers for 2012. Please contact him at 613-359-6279, lot #55, if there is an issue on the trails that needs to be addressed. Signage has been completed.

Boating Safety

Boat wakes damage shorelines, docks and the boats tied to them, and swamp smaller craft. It is illegal to travel more than 10km/hour within 100 feet (30m) of shore. In 2012 watch for new "No Wake" zones in the Rideau Waterway System and an increased police presence on Sand Lake. They will be laying charges for not complying with "No Wake" zones, driving without a boating license and proper safety equipment, and driving under the influence. Please be on the lookout for swimmers, loons and their chicks!

Sand Lake Marine

BIRPOA has purchased a battery booster which will be kept at Sand Lake Marine for use by BIRPOA members. It will boost any 12V battery.

Septic Systems

The Municipal Septic System Re-Inspection Program is a voluntary program with mandatory re-inspection beginning in 2016. Go to the Township of Rideau Lakes web site and check the Development Services Department for septic tank information. Safeline Marine Construction (Brett Newton) has purchased Rideau Scents and isnow pumping and installing septic tanks on the island. Contact:613-326-0600 or toll free at 1-877-709-9894, www.safelinemarine.com.

Regular Garbage Collection and Large Item Trash Day

Garbage collection begins Sunday, May 20th at the Glover Road Public Boat Ramp from 4-8pm. The hours are reduced to 4-6 on September 9th and collection ends October 7th. John Feltmate is organizing a Large Item Trash Day so that BIRPOA members can dispose of larger unwanted items by sharing the cost of a truck and dumping fees. Details will be posted on the BIRPOA marina bulletin board and web site in late spring or early summer, or contact John Feltmate, 613-359-5831, feltmate@ican.net.

Sand Lake Health, Flora and Fauna

A Lake Stewardship Plan looks at a lake's water quality, fish populations, bird and animal habitat, shoreline health, noise and light pollution, invasive species, and more. Bob Cavenagh, Russell Green and Ry Weisiger are working at developing a Lake Plan for Sand Lake and need your input before developing a survey. Please take the time to send us your thoughts. Regular loon counts are conducted by Birch Islanders - the 2011 population was very healthy.

Fire Safety

Protect your woodland home and follow safe burning guidelines. Burning permits, available at Gordanier's Grocery in Elgin, are required for outdoor burning. Follow the regulations and burn during the coolest, dampest time of day and not when it's windy. Make sure lumber piles are stored 10 metres away from your cottage and that dead vegetation and leaves are cleared from around the cottage's foundation. Prune branches that are overhanging roof and wires and keep gutters clean. Your chimney should be clean and smoke alarms and fire extinguishers in good working order. Your garden hose should be connected and firefighting tools, such as buckets and shovels, should be handy. Call 911 in any emergency.

Rights of Way

Lawyer Richard Minard is continuing his work on the Rights of Way for island trails on our behalf and specifically for those who signed up. Richard has uncovered some information that will be of interest to both subscribers and non-subscribers. The extent of this is now being quantified. For questions contact John Feltmate, 613-359-5831, feltmate@ican.net.

Local Events

Go to the Township of Rideau Lakes website and check the Community and Leisure Services Department, Recreation Programs and Facilities, for their Coming Events page. Elgin Days, the second weekend in July, is always a fun event to attend.

BIRPOA Finances

The current balance in BIRPOA's bank account is $3,974.40. Trail maintenance and the cost of BIRPOA insurance remain the largest cost items, with FOCA membership, mailing supplies and the AGM being others. BIRPOA's policy is to hold a cash balance of 2-2½ times the annual operating expenses of approximately $1,700/year. We need your membership dues to keep Birch Island an enjoyable and safe place for our families to escape to!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR: ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING SUNDAY, August 5th, 10am IN THE FIELD at lot 96

BIRPOA 2012 EXECUTIVE

President: Jae Shaw, jae.shaw@gmail.com, home: 613-680-2411, cottage: 613-292-2664, lot#96
Past President and Web Master: John Curley, jpcurley@gmail.com, 613-359-5085, lot#75
Secretary: Andy Shaw, ashaw002@gmail.com, 613-292-2664, lot#96
Treasurer: Alice Howarth, alice_howarth9@hotmail.com, 613-328-1146, lot#92
Project Members:
John Feltmate 613-359-5831,
Bob Cavenagh 613-359-5461,
Ry Weisiger 613-359-6279,
Russell Green 613-263-1352,

WE NEED VOLUNTEERS - COME AND JOIN IN THE FUN!