BIRPOA Annual General Meeting – August 2nd, 2009

 

Residents Present:

Paul Beckwith (1), John* Feltmate (24), Bill* Johnson (29), Bob and Gwen St. Louis (31), Kim and Paul Anderson (33), Dennis Cardiff (48), Wendy Butler and friend Luis (52), Russell Green and Siobhan Harty (54), Susan and Bob* Cavenagh (57), Andy and Kathy Greiner (64), Barry Blair (71), Janet Forsyth (76), Karl Reid and friend Steven (79), Sylvia Robertson (81), Pamela and Nathan Letourneau (85), Doug and Donna Fish (86), Janice Calver (92), Art Horton (93), Alice* Howarth (94), Sylvia and Orland French (95), Jae* and Andy* Shaw (96), Carol and Chuck Laudermilch (97), Orv Marshall (99), Conrad and Marg Short (100), Etta Glover (Sand Lake Marine).

[*Officer/Director]

 

• Call to Order: 10:10 a.m.

 

• Treasurer’s and Membership Report (Alice Howarth)

• Balance of $3,721.34 in bank plus $80.00+ in recently-paid 2009 membership fees.
• Number of 2009 members still increasing – expect roughly 40 in total (same as 2008 membership numbers).

 

• Trail Maintenance and Signage Report (Bill Johnson / John Feltmate)

• Bill Johnson emphasized the work involved in trail maintenance, including the logistics of getting heavy equipment on/off the island.
• Mowing recently done for $250.00
• John Feltmate reported that 2 additional trail signs were installed this year with 2 more are on order which will be installed before next season.
• In recognition of their efforts and contributions in keeping the trails open and accessible, Bill Johnson, John Feltmate, Ry Weisiger and Art Horton received the thanks of all and were presented with token awards.

 

• High Speed Internet (Bob Cavenagh)

• South side of island can be served by RBS Internet (contact Duncan Appliances) for a cost of $325-$350/yr + with a no-cost shut-down for 6 months. (It is believed that neighbours can share connections).
• North/West side of island can be served by Explorenet.com for a cost of $475/yr + with a reduction to $25/month during winter months and a $25 restart fee. (It is believed that neighbours cannot share connections).
• Other options to investigate are Rogers Rocket, ACN, Bell Sympatico and Telus Air Cards (uses cell phone service).

 

• Marine Matters (Etta Glover)

• In case of fire, do not call Marina first – CALL 911 !!! – then call Marina.
• Marina will make sure fire department gets transportation to the island.
• Pumper at marina is getting old, doesn’t work well, and David Glover is no longer a member of the volunteer fire department – in short, we cannot rely on the pumper and the Marina to operate it – CALL 911 !!!
• No vehicles allowed around side of boat repair shed (sign is posted) unless launching a boat – this is to avoid cars speeding around the corner and risking an accident.

 

• Highlights from the Township (Alice Howarth)

• Alice spoke to Manager of Public Works.
• Patching and repair occurring on Bush Road and Sand Lake Road but they are not on the schedule for resurfacing (2010 budget not yet decided).
• Birch Islanders are encouraged to petition and e-mail Counsellor Linda Carr on the poor state of the roads.

 

MOTION

By: Carol Laudermilch; Seconded By: ???

Write a letter to the Municipality expressing the unacceptable state of the surfaces of Bush and Sand Lake Roads and requesting they be resurfaced.

UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED

 

• Please respond to survey regarding garbage collection (found at Elgin Library).
• Check Township of Rideau Lakes website for information about septic tank re-inspection. Etta Glover says Dan O’Grady has discontinued pumping out tanks on island.
• Contact Cataraqui Regional Conservation Authority for questions about algae.
• Check Township of Rideau Lakes web site for info on 2010 Official Plan.

 

• Boating Safety (Andy Shaw)

• Complaints were made about speeding and Transport Canada was contacted.
• Speeding within 30 metres of shore is punishable by law. Maximum penalty is $100,000 or 1 year imprisonment.
• Signs to be put up at narrows in Eel Bay and Causeway.
• For repeat offenders, residents are encouraged to keep a log and records of speeding offences (date, time, boat, person(s) – videotaping is discouraged).
• Boat Operator License required as of September 15th 2009.

 

• Loon Count & Lake Health (Jae Shaw / Chuck Laudermilch / Bob Cavenagh)

• 29 adult loons and 3 babies counted.
• Chuck Laudermilch reported that the small fish population (bass and sunfish in the 7-9” range) is the best he has ever seen.
• “Loon Call” to occur in September/October for building loon nesting platforms. Platforms must be in water within 2 weeks of ice-out in the Spring.

 

• Birch Island Branch Library (Bob Cavenagh)

• Library is full – culling will be done.
• Please do not use the library to dump old books, but “thoughtful” donations (i.e., books of interest and in good repair) are gratefully received

 

• Rights-of-Way (Andy Shaw / Bob Cavenagh)

• There was a discussion about rights-of-way to the path network and the future ownership of the properties that comprise the network.
• Many unanswered questions were raised (e.g., future of Birch Island Estates Limited (BIEL), which owns most of the properties; if BIEL is “wound up,” what would happen to ownership of the properties; amount of outstanding taxes and potential obligation to future owners of the properties; would municipality be willing to forgive outstanding taxes; etc.)
• BIRPOA needs to start a conversation with the municipality to try to get answers to these, and other, questions.
• Suggest Residents should withhold $300 payment for securing rights-of-way (see letter sent to Residents in July) and wait until some questions are answered.
• Questions should be answered within 4-6 weeks and then BIRPOA will set a time limit to participate.

 

• GALA Presentation (Andy Shaw)

• Through the newly-created GALA award (Got A Lot Accomplished), each year BIRPOA will recognize a person (or persons) who have made major contributions to Building Island Community through their various actions. The inaugural presentation was made to Ralph Robertson for his many years of working to protect lake habitat.

 

• Election of New Officers/Directors (Andy Shaw)
• Andy Shaw presented the proposed BIRPOA officers/directors for 2009-2010, as follows:

• Officers – President: Bob Cavenagh; Past President: Andy Shaw; Treasurer: Alice Howarth; Vice-President: TBD; Secretary: TBD
• Directors – Sharron Curley, John Curley, Jae Shaw, John Feltmate, Ceyhan Lennon plus others who may step forward
• Vice-President and Secretary to be identified from the directors above

 

MOTION

By: Orland French; Seconded By: Barry Blair

Accept slate of officers/directors as presented.

UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED

 

• Adjourn: 12:15 p.m.