Fellow LJNA members and Lake Joseph Neighbours,
Thanksgiving greetings! Hoping this finds you well and enjoying the beautiful fall colours at the lake. The heavy rains of mid-September were an abrupt end to an unusual summer of weather. It has been very quiet on the lake these last few weeks. But for a few fall boaters, it feels like everyone has moved their activities to the hiking trails or are indoors by the fire.
Conversations around the lake this summer included talk of the destruction on Sugarloaf Island to the south of us in the Township of Muskoka Lakes and the subsequent petition and article in the National Post.
The LJNA continues to advocate for effective enforcement and reasonable limits on site alteration to preserve water quality and the view from the canoe. We were very encouraged to see a recent update from Council with some progress on these issues. More details below in the LJNA Update.
It's been a year since we started featuring local businesses in our E-News, and we have been getting great feedback! Members are discovering new places to visit and shop in Seguin. Let us know your favourites to feature in future editions. In the meantime, read about the Rosseau Thanksgiving Market below. We hope you enjoy reading this E-News and we welcome your comments and ideas. You can reach our editor Karen McCullough or me at info@ljna.org.
Warm regards,
Nancy Cohen, President
info@ljna.org |
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Stiffer Enforcement of Blasting, Fill and Tree-Cutting Bylaw
The destruction of Sugarloaf Island in the Township of Muskoka lakes has heightened concern about unnecessary site alteration on lakefront properties. In Seguin Township blasting, excessive tree removal and the placement of fill is generally prohibited within 20 metres of the shoreline. Many LJNA members would like to see stronger bylaws and enforcement to respond to changing construction practices.
In February, Seguin established a pilot project to "significantly increase [their] ability to address bylaw issues," by reviewing current blasting, fill, tree-cutting bylaws, and penalties for contravening them.
LJNA members got a brief update from Fire Chief Don Hood at our August AGM. In September he presented a progress report on the pilot to Council with the following comments:
“Patrols to new construction sites have allowed fill issues to be addressed and corrected before it results in a major concern problem. Currently 14 open investigations regarding fill and tree cutting are being dealt with. Stone patios in the first 20 m have been stopped and a relocation of a completed patio has been completed at a significant cost to the land owner.
Several contractors now have been calling and asking if possible could we come out and review their landscape project prior to the start of the project.”
His report also includes a recommendation to add a full-time staff position for bylaw enforcement. This increased focus on monitoring and reporting bylaw issues is a good step forward.
The LJNA has been in touch with our Councillor, Terry Fellner, to discuss our concerns and is preparing comments for consideration. We urge Council to move forward swiftly to address excessive site alterations through stronger bylaws, effective enforcement and appropriate penalties. There are many questions to work through on this issue. Please be in touch with Nancy (info@ljna.org) or James (jbuchanan@rockledges.com) if you would like to discuss further.
You may find more information on Seguin Bylaw enforcement and on how to report an issue HERE. For an overview of Seguin’s building process and bylaws visit this LINK. The pilot project update was included in the September 20th Council Package (p. 68-71). |
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Fireboat Coming in Spring
LJNA board member and fire boat lead Diana Piquette checked last week with Fire Chief Don Hood who advised that delivery of the recently purchased fireboat for North Lake Joe is now expected in Spring of 2022. The boat will be moored at Gordon Bay Marine, a short distance to all major areas of North Lake Joe. Look for a celebration to welcome the boat to our waters.
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Fate of Short Term Rentals Remains Unresolved
LJNA reached out to our mayor Ann MacDiarmid hoping for new information on whether rentals will be allowed for the 2022 season. Here is her response:
“We continue to speak with landlords and renters and are expecting a summary of all of the contacts from staff within the next few weeks. It currently remains illegal to rent properties that are zoned residential. While we recognize that many property owners are anxious to have more specific direction from the Township, it is unlikely that we will have a licensing or other process in place within this term of Council. I base this on the divisive nature of the issue of Short Term Rentals and the fact that this Council has been unable to reach consensus on the issue.
We continue to pursue legal options and are exploring the costs and opportunities associated with allowing some form of residential renting in responsible ways.” |
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FOCA Membership Benefits
USERNAME: focamember PASSWORD: Foc@M3mb3$2014 LJNA MEMBERS ONLY!* |
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LJNA is a member of the Federation of Cottage Associations (FOCA). FOCA is the province-wide umbrella group for Ontario waterfront property owners, representing 50,000 member families in more than 500 lake and road associations. LJNA members can check out their expansive website and access benefits and programs using the login and password above.
FOCA offers discounts for cottage insurance, Cottage Life magazine, and more importantly, Automated External Defibrillators (AED). Cottagers are realizing that owning a defibrillator could save a life, especially since cottage properties tend to be at a significant distance from emergency help. Read more about FOCA benefits and discounts here.
This fall FOCA is sponsoring a zoom webinar The Changing Face of Cottage Country. A hot topic already, the heat has been turned up during Covid. Everything from climate change effects on our lakes, to wear and tear on local roads will be covered.
*Renew your LJNA membership here. |
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Road Upgrades Continue
Steeles Road, which serves a large portion of the east side of North Lake Joe, is slated for repairs starting after Thanksgiving. This will come as good news for the residents who have been driving through “quicksand”, especially with the amount of rainfall we have had lately. Road work on Islandview Road near Gordon Bay is still on track to be completed for winter. |
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Federal and Provincial Funding
for West Parry Sound Area Recreation and Culture Centre |
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Seven participating municipalities and two First Nations communities are working together to build a new recreation centre at the north end of Parry Sound. Seventy-three percent of the 31.8M cost will be funded by Ottawa and the province. The centre is the result of extensive public consultation. The plan includes 49,000 sf of community space for education, recreation, wellness, cultural and athletic activities. In addition to a lap pool and a therapeutic pool, amenities such as a fitness centre, indoor track, gymnasium, and multi-purpose spaces have been included to create an appeal to a broader audience. Besides meeting the needs of permanent residents of Seguin the Centre will appeal to “seasonal” residents who extend the season from Spring to Fall. For more information, visit Seguin’s site. |
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Wireless Internet to Expand in North Lake Joe
Seguin Township announced on August 21, 2021 that Cogeco will be installing fibre to some 750 homes and businesses in the areas of Port Cockburn, Hamer Bay, Gordon Bay and Stanley House by the fall of 2023. "Fibre is the only high speed solution that is completely future proof and scalable so we are very excited about the award of over $4 million to Cogeco from the federal and provincial governments to complete this project to many parts of North Lake Joseph," says mayor Ann MacDiarmid. Internet access on private roads will be case by case and interested residents should contact Cogeco for more information once the project begins next Spring. |
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Highway 141 Road Closure after Thanksgiving
Highway 141 will be closed for culvert replacement from Rosseau Lake Road to the public boat launch site at Skeleton Bay from October 12 to November 9, 2021. Only emergency vehicles and local traffic will be able to access the area. Detours will be in place along Muskoka District Road 3, 24 and 35. |
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Rosseau Thanksgiving Market
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The Rosseau Thanksgiving Market began seven years ago as a logical extension of the very popular summer market. Formerly held in the Rosseau Community Hall, Covid protocols required moving it out of doors in 2020 to its summer location at Rosseau Waterfront Park. This year the market will be at the waterfront again on Saturday October 9, 9 am to 2 pm. A cross section of regular vendors will be there, as well as live entertainment.
Rosseau Market president Heather Cullimore reports on the success of the summer market: “We just wrapped up our second year of running under Covid restrictions. We worked closely with the township and public health and followed all guidelines. And the visitors showed up! |
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Although we were required to have fewer vendors due to safe spacing requirements, we had a wide choice of offerings. The response was wonderful; there was so much pent up need to get out and interact in an outdoor and safe place. The support from the community was heartfelt. Speaking as a vendor myself, it has been a positive experience to work with so many dedicated people and we have found that the vendors have all pulled together to keep things up and running.”
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Limited Access to Johnston's Cranberry Marsh This Year
Muskoka Lakes Farm and Winery at Johnston’s Cranberry Marsh is open from now to October 24, but please note that tickets must be purchased in advance online for specific time frames as they are managing visitation carefully due to COVID-19. |
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Muskoka Lakes Association Food Drive
There is still time to contribute non-perishable food items to the MLA offices at 65 Joseph Street in Port Carling, or donate online to The Salvation Army, Mana Food Bank or West Muskoka Food Bank. |
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Have you lost your pedal boat? One was found floating north of Hamer Bay a month ago. Contact Alan at 416-436-3371if you think it is yours. |
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The E-News is published on a regular basis to keep Lake Joe residents and LJNA members
informed of items of importance and interest to them.
Editor: Karen McCullough, LJNA member
Volunteer s bring fresh ideas and perspectives to our work. Interested? Contact us at info@ljna.org.
The Lake Joseph North Association (LJNA) represents the interests of shoreline residents on the Seguin section of Lake Joseph, including Portage Lake.
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