President Jack Russel welcomed everyone to the meeting, noting the new people on the lake, also welcoming our new executive member Lou Kiriakou and encouraging everyone to eat the fresh muffins, zucchini bread and drink the hot coffee.

 

Murray talked about the Dysart Municipal Official Plan which needs to be passed by the county. There is a tree-cutting bylaw in the plan that will affect new properties built on our lake – always a problem of enforcement.  An amendment to the Official Plan was recognized by council about sheds on Percy Lake.  When this plan passes the county, it will ease the situation for some sheds built at Percy Lake as long as they meet the suggested criteria.  A new land fill site has been noted at the West Bay dumpsite.  Everyone is delighted with the new Haliburton Library – especially as it needed no tax dollars to be built.  Apparently REALLY hi-speed internet is coming to our area according to Bell.  We will hear more about this in the future.  Murray responded to questions about sheds on new properties on Percy.  There will be no new sheds on new properties unless they meet the criteria for sheds as noted in the official plan.

 

Walt McKecknie – a former restauranteur and hockey player is now running for city council.  Walt has property on Eagle Lake and feels passionate about our Highlands area. The most pressing issue he felt was youth and affordable housing.  He encouraged all to vote in the upcoming October election.

 

As of Dec. 31, 2009 we have a balance o f$ 4,878.35.  There are 36 paid members out of 60 cottages.

 

Percy Lake is a member of the Coalition of Haliburton Lake Area Cottager’s Associations (CHA).(web site – www.cohpoa.ca).  This coalition was formed to share information, newsletters, share in areas of research and is now creating a Lake Area Property Owners’Manual which will be completed by the end of the summer.  Realtors will give out these manuals and a one year membership in lake associations to those new buyers on the lakes.  The coalition (CHA) is also writing a Lake Steward’s Manual which will be very helpful to area lake stewards as they try to make the lake environments as healthy as possible.  Percy Lake is also back in the Lake Partner Business – testing for water clarity and for amounts of phosphorus in the water.  A question was asked to see if we could find out what other things are being tested in the water.  One of our area lakes is concerned about mercury levels in the water.  We don’t know about Percy but will find out..

 

MNR has not approved of the development as yet because of concerns about the deer yard at the eastern edge of Percy Lake.  Discussions are occurring this summer to reach a resolution.  After the approval of the development by council, it is estimated that the first properties will go up for sale next spring or early summer.  The canoe portage into Haliburton Lake will be a track of land called a block that will be designated a route for recreational use.  Questions were raised as to whether Percy people will be allowed to walk on the new subdivision roads that are now being developed. The executive will look into the answer to this question.

 

Rob Davis gave an informative and entertaining presentation about taking care of our septic systems so that we will not hurt the quality of water on our lakes.  With many diagrams and stories we were greatly informed about what goes on “out there” in the yard and what products will keep our septic systems alive and well for many years to come and keep our lake clean. 

 

Both the trout and bass trophies went this year to Leandro Richert, the grandson of Jim and Gail Richert.  Both grandparents were present to receive the trophies and to read a statement from Leandro, who is now in Hungry.   Way to go Leandro!!!

 

Anna Tillman gave us an update on her struggle with Ontario Hydro after they mistakenly clear cut her property last fall.  After admitting their error, Hydro will begin a reforestation program on Anna’s property.  Unfortunately, she will never see again the beautiful mature trees that had been cut down on her property.  Her advice to the rate payers was to stay aware of the rights of way of properties and to stay vigilant as to what is being done on our land.

 

What should the Percy Lake Rate Payers do with the $200.00 dollars donated by Royal Lepage?  Here are some ideas about what we could do on our lake in the future.

-give money to a charity such as Environment Haliburton

-more signs on the lake about what to do to keep the lake safe and clean (more vocal)

-protect our lake with more testing (of water quality)

-a barbecue or corn roast on the lake to welcome everyone back (Harry Winder volunteered his beach) 

-give new people on the lake a welcome basket with do’s and don’ts on the lake and some goodies, etc.

The executive will consider all of these ideas.

 

Meeting adjourned at 12:05 p.m.