Bruce Beach Cottagers’ Association
Minutes for the Directors’ and Councilors’ Meeting
Date: Saturday July 17, 2010
Location: Bruce Beach Club House
Present: Keith MacDonald, Ross Klopp, Peter Newson, Barry McPherson, Janice Gibson, Susan Davidson, McCosh Grove (Area 2) – Ruth McLean, Snowden Grove (Area 4) – Dick MacKenzie, Snowden Grove (Area 5&6) Diane Bryant, Snowden Grove (Area 7) – Heather Ingham, Area 10 – Joyce Pottier, Area 11 – Brian MacEachern
Regrets: David Tiernan, Area 1 – Nan Grant, Tour’s Grove (Area 3) – Laurie Hamilton, Area 8 – Victoria Birkett, Area 9 – Anne MacDougall
1.0 Welcome and Roll Call – (Keith MacDonald)
Keith MacDonald welcomed everyone and each person introduced themselves
2.0 Vice-Presidents Report – (David Tiernan)
David Tiernan unable to attend meeting
3.0 Report of the Councilors
Several Councilors raised the issue of the proposed wind mill farm planned for installation on farmland east of Lake Range Road on the Lawry and Colins farms. Several members of the BBCA executive recently met with the company contracted to build the wind farm and the company responsible for the environmental assessment. Planning is in its initial stages, using the options signed several farmers for their land to locate the wind farm.
The company doing the environmental assessment indicated under the Green Energy Act the locations of each wind mill must be at least 550 meters set back from all buildings and 60 meters form the roads edge. The closest wind mill to Lake Range Road would be set back 600 meters and the balance 700 meters. The wind mills are a different technology than the Ripley wind farm and are 25 meters higher. The date projected for completion of the windmill farm is 2013.
Keith MacDonald indicated the decision to install a wind farm in this location was made by the Provincial Government, not Huron-Kinloss Township. In fact, the Green Energy Act negates the townships zoning bylaws for the installation of a wind farm. Several townships are challenging this to the Supreme Court of
Ontario. Keith encourages all BBCA members to attend the township meeting on August 10, 2010 to become educated and voice their opinion. The goal would be to have the wind mills installed closer to hwy 21, away from Lake Range Road. The BBCA executive will be sending information to the members about the meeting and related issues through Ross Klopp’s email communication. They will also draft a letter that can be sent to members MPP’s.
The Township has installed large signs at the bottom of the 6th, 8th and 10th concession. On these signs, they had printed a map of the area identifying the private roads in McCosh Grove, Tout’s Grove, and Snowden Grove. Also, they indicate south Bruce Beach is Lurgeon Beach. Keith MacDonald recommends each area impacted by this sign should contact the Township and request the removal of the private roads and change south Bruce Beach to indicate they are part of Bruce Beach not Lurgeon Beach. The BBCA executive will discuss and support this at the next meeting with Mayor Mitch Twolan and the township.
Councilors continue to be concerned with the water quality and the condition of the beach with non native plants. Keith updated the group on the efforts to clear a portion of the beach for the purpose of walking and recreation. Geoff Peach of Lake Huron Centre for Coastal Conservation, has hired a botanist to assess the beach and identify invasive weeds and non native plants. They will prepare information on removal of these plants and send this to the township and recommend publishing this to beachers.
Brian MacEachern updated the meeting on water quality. He is going to meet with Grant Colins recommending he develop a catch area to contain the water draining from the field tiling. This will prevent the excess water flowing into the gully at cottage 39. The government continues to test the water. A professor at the University of Waterloo has been given a grant to test the water for algae. A student is currently in the process of doing this.
Last fall, the Keith MacDonald met with the Ministry of Natural Resources recommending the township remove a portion of the grass and invasive weeds from the shoreline. Mark Shoreman from the MNR agreed to meet with the three beach association presidents to discuss the proposal, however, he met with Geoff Peach and sent a letter to the township instruction them not to remove any grass or weeds from the beach.
Keith MacDonald asked the councilors to identify and welcome all new members to their respective Groves or areas and to welcome them to Bruce Beach. Also, to invite the new members to the annual BBQ, explain the purpose of the BBCA and the year book. Tout’s Grove recommended including their names in the yearbook, however, Peter Newson indicated that it was very challenging to know if there was a change of ownership vs. a change in family association or relationship. Peter distributed a list of those changes for our review.
It was recommended we document the roles and responsibilities of the Councilors. Keith asked each councilor to give feedback to Barry McPherson on how they see their role as a liaison between the area and grove members and the BBCA. Please send this feedback by August 15, 2010. Barry will prepare an initial draft for review and distribution to all impacted.
Area 1 is requesting a speed sign be installed on Gordon Road recommending 60KM per hour.
McCosh Grove requested the amount and use of the Sugar Shack funds and the BBQ funds. The BBCA has not responsibility for the Sugar Shack, and the BBQ is a not for profit function, A reminder to all members from McCosh, that to use the Club House, a form must be complete and given to Anne Wright cottage 3A, key is also available from Anne.
Tout’s Grove suggested the BBCA should address common issues such as taxation and water quality. They asked the BBCA to ensure there is a common understanding of issues before proceeding.
Area 4 was assured they were part of Snowden Grove.
Area 7 has an issue collecting area dues from one of their member’s and asked for suggestions.
Area 10 continues to work with the township in an attempt to improve the drainage along the road between the 8th and 10th concession. The township has agreed to install a ditch to improve drainage; however, they do not have the funds this year.
All other areas did not have unique issues other than the windmill farm and the water quality.
4.0 Report of the Treasurer – (Janice Gibson)
Collections of 2010 dues this year has been quite successful reducing the number of delinquent members by 2/3 to 32 members. This year, the year book was not sent to the members who were in arrears and the late payment charge has help improve the timeliness of payments. A list was given to each councilor for personal attention. The BBCA is in a good financial position this year, so Janice recommended we donate $1,000 to the Pine River Water Shed and $5,000 to the Club House Renovation Fund (last year the BBCA committed $5,000 for 2009 and $5,000 for 2010).
5.0 Report of the Yearbook Coordinator – (Peter Newson)
The yearbook was sent out on time and on budget. Next year, the company responsible for the set up for publication will be available. Peter is planning to bring the set up in house as he has software that cannot facilitate. This will eliminate the current handoffs.
6.0 Report of the Communication Co-ordinator – (Ross Klopp)
The e-mail data is now in excellent condition with very few return e-mails showing incorrect addresses. Of the total membership of BBCA (265) 219 members are receiving Ross’s emails. This continues to be an excellent method of communicating quickly to the community. Cottagers are encouraged to view the Bruce Beach web site www.brucebeach.ca
7.0 New Business – (Keith MacDonald)
Several weeks ago, Keith MacDonald and Barry McPherson participated in a tour sponsored by The Pine River Water Shed volunteers. The majority of those attending were farmers from the immediate area. All were very supportive of the results of this organization planting 68,000 trees along the Pine River to help filter the nutrients from the ground water before entering the river. The BBCA will be recommending a donation to this organization for approval at the next annual meeting.
Keith MacDonald asked if anyone had submitted to IMPAC for a reduction in the assessment for their cottage property tax. To date, no one is aware of a reduction.