Annual General Meeting minutes August 26 2006

Green Island Club House

The meeting was called to order at 10:15. There were 60 people present.

Chris Campbell welcomed members and guests including Benoit Bertrand from La Pépinières Rustique and Duncan Howard, Municipal Councilor, both from St. Adolphe d’ Howard.

Mary Campbell reported that we currently have 61 members, which includes a total of 115 persons, and that to have an effective Association, membership must be a priority.

Everyone was urged to consider signing up to volunteer for one or more of the six committees for the 2007 season. Committee chairs talked about each committee:

Membership recruitment is a top priority.

Penny Love, Communications, reported that we are working on a website and a newsletter in 2007.

Chris Campbell reported that the Land Use Committee had its first meeting.

Claude Lorange spoke about the Environment Committee

Pieter Folmer spoke on Municipal Affairs formerly Taxes and Budget.

The Infrastructure Committee needs a Chairperson, probably with assistants, as it has the most varied mandate: boating, security, trash, parking lots, docks, potable water etc.

Claude Lorange introduced Benoit Bertrand who made a power point presentation on protecting our shoreline. Some items he touched on were:

  • The lakeshore is 15m back from the waterline at its highest level in the Spring.
  • Damage caused by artificialized lakeshore
  • Phosphorus sources are enemy #1. A food source for all the weeds in the water.
  • Benefits of a natural shoreline.
  • Fauna habitat; shoreline is the most productive part of the lake. 90% of life begins on the shoreline.
  • How to recreate a natural lakeshore: stop cutting the grass or plant indigenous lakeshore plants
  • Some plants mentioned:
    • Myrique Baumier/Sweet Gale: first to plant on the edge of lake
    • Courouiller stolennifere/Red Osier Dogwood: good for wet or dry soil
    • Spiree a larges feuilles/large leafed spirea
    • Rosier Sauvages/Wild Rose : grows 4-5 feet in dry soil, used to stabilize hills, flowers in June.
    • Sureau du Canada/ Canada Elder: 6’, flowers in June, fruit in the Fall.
    • For stone or cement wall: Vigne des Rivages/ Vines: to hide a wall and to protect it from the sun to prevent it from heating the water.
    • White clover all around plantings to prevent erosion while the plants are being established.
    • Iris Versicolor/ Blue Flag Iris and other wildflowers.

More information on:

  • Native Plants
  • Lakeshore Plantings
  • Advise for Lakefront Landscaping

From:  La Pépinières Rustique

It was suggested that the Association compile a list of members interested in having Mr. Bertrand give an assessment of their Lakeshore in the early summer.

Chris introduced Duncan Howard, Municipal Councilor from St. Adolphe d’Howard who spoke on the new regulations for boats on the lakes in his municipality.

Mr. Howard opened by mentioning the Natural Heritage Trust which will send someone to meet with groups to talk about land holdings, which can be turned over to them, to be preserved in their natural state. The trust will pay the taxes on the land and pay the owner a modest compensation while the owner retains the use of the property.

Mr. Howard then spoke briefly on the regulations that have been put into effect in his municipality. This was followed by a lively question period.

Some comments:

  • The surface of the Lake is governed by the Federal government, the bottom by the Province, and access to the lake is the responsibility of the municipality.
  • The municipality manages the lake interests in the village and how they affect the lakes, what happens on the lakes, and the boats using the lakes.
  • A Code of Ethics for boaters to encourage everyone to be responsible and respectful of each other.
  • Sharing the lake and protection of the shoreline.
  • Reiterated many times to repeated questions that access to the lake is the responsibility of the municipality.
  • Boats should be washed every time they are put in the water regardless of where they have been and whether they were in other waters.
  • They have the lakes patrolled by off duty policemen.
  • He spoke of fees being assessed by his municipality for various services in relation to boating
  • His lakes are only open to residents of the municipality.
  • Permits for parking boats in the village are not taxable.

Chris Campbell thanked Mr. Howard for taking the time to speak to the Association and for his insight, experiences and comments on issues that we have in common. He also encouraged, once again, everyone to consider signing up for a committee.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Campbell

Secretary

Committee sign-ups were as follows:

Membership:

  • Mary Campbell
  • Brent Theile
  • Gloria Gray

Communications:

  • Doug and Penny Love
  • Meghan Masterson
  • Ron Ingram
  • Sheilagh Johnson
  • Pierre Dulude
  • Lenny Folmer

Land Use Planning:

  • Brad Hawker
  • Bob Wilson
  • Chris Campbell
  • Bill Meldrum
  • Carol Holland

Municipal:

  • Pieter Folmer
  • Chris Campbell
  • Glen Magee
  • Bill Meldrum

Environmental:

  • Claude Lorange
  • Meghan Masterson
  • Jacques Causse
  • Judy Layton
  • Heather Calder
  • Ian Boswell
  • Barbara Magee
  • Jane Magee Kroeker
  • Roger Lyrette

Infrastructure:

  • Bill Clelland
  • Denis Charlebois
  • Ted Fairhurst
  • Hal Myers
  • Glen Magee
  • Bill Meldrum
  • David Gray
  • Jane Magee Kroeker
  • Rupert Ticehurst
  • Elise Latour

Thanks to everyone who has volunteered. If you have not already been contacted, you will be soon. For anyone who was not at the meeting and who would like to join a committee, it is not too late. Just e.mail us at: lacdesseize@yahoo.com  and we will add your name to the list.

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