2012 Annual General Meeting

MADAWASKA MOUNTAIN SKI HILL 10:00am – 12:30pm

Minutes prepared by VP Kerra Wylie (and only distributed by Dave Wilson)

Minutes distributed to KAPOA Directors & Area Membership Reps

KAPOA Directors Attendance: Dave Wilson, Kerra Wylie, Bob Millar, Vince Steepe, Evan Croskery, Roelf Beukens, George Newton, Jeneene Richardson

Regrets: Deanne Farrar, Robin Lowry

Welcome, Goals & Objectives
- Discussed that there was no 2011 AGM
- New board is diverse group who care
- Why organization exists
- KAPOA team has done a lot that never gets seen, working with municipalities (Mayor Vivian Bloom, Frank Hickey, Mayor Dave Schulist, MPP John Yakabuski)
- KAPOA supports legitimate, common sense issues
- Conduit for passing opinion or consensus before action is taken
- Support and endorse but will not donate on members’ behalf
- Annual budget of approximately $4,000 anticipated
- Backup key positions so as not to burn out
911 KAPOA stickers – we care and hope you do as well
Introduced current Board of Directors
Introduced Area Membership Reps
Volunteers & nominees sought for board positions
- Jeneene Richardson requested to be considered for Treasurer
- Motion raised by Bob Millar, seconded by Dave Wilson
Election
- Motion raised by Dave Wilson to elect all existing Directors to KAPOA board
- Motion passed by show of hands (unanimous)
- Motion raised by Dave Wilson for Roelf Beukens to replace George Newton (who has asked to step down)
- Motion passed by show of hands (unanimous)
Reports
- Water Levels & Flows (George Newton)
  - Mayor Bloom question regarding reduction from 4 days to 3 days for Bark Lake flow into the Madawaska River
  - Member posed question regarding OPG measurements being taken in lake for first time in 7 summers. Roelf to cover change in policy regarding releasing dam water into Madawaska River from Bark Lake dam.
- Bark Lake Dam / cold water release (Roelf Beukens)
  - Dam refurbishment last year – new log lifter, upgraded bottom release valves from butterfly style
  - Agreement with MKC requires that OPG releases in bursts (4 days per week, Mon to Thurs, 8am to 2pm) – 26 cubic meters per second. Also supplies water downstream to other dams
  - Requires that OPG sends 2 employees to manage water elevation, 2 X per day for 4 days, instead of 1X per week
  - Testing by OPG – KAPOA is not privy to what tests are being done
  - OPG has agreed to put in temperature monitoring equipment to measure results of their testing – various points in river
  - Note that lifting logs is not an exact method for managing flow level compared to bottom valves.
  - Will know later this year (Oct 2012) the results of their testing & their conclusions
  - Questions
    - Mayor Bloom – safety of only 1 person on dam in remote location?
    - Member – will bottom release by performed remotely? No
    - Member – who bears the cost of managing the water flows for MKC? OPG. Member considers this a conflict of government supporting private enterprise. Agreed that this is a very special situation (other paddling companies have been refused). OPG has right to make changes to the plan unless MNR or SAC objects.
    - Member – cottagers on river have purchased cottages on basis of the agreement with MKC. If bottom release exclusively, then river residents will not be able to swim in the river.
    - Roelf – optimal solution – use top control mostly, with bottom valves for finer control. Another possible solution (not currently on table) is for the community and/or MKC to provide the funding for the additional resources required to release water from the top.
    - Mayor Bloom – read from an email that Wed’s & Thurs’s are top water release days presently
    - Kelly Bancroft – any concerns raised about aquatic life? No – Temperatures have not been indicated by MNR in any of their reports, and they may not know what temperature that they require.
    - Member – what benefit do I obtain from MKC? Should they not absorb some of the cost?
- Water Quality (Kerra Wylie for Deanne Farrar)
- Regatta (Kerra Wylie) – presented schedule, what’s new, what stays the same
- Forestry (Evan Croskery)
  - Revamping of KAPOA website
  - Photo contest – link will be on home page of website, upload as many digital photos as you like, Spectacle Lake lodge providing prize
  - Forestry
    - 2010 plans renewed for forest management areas around us
    - Spring annual work schedule for tending, seeding, clear cutting or selection cutting, etc.
    - Covered off Bark Lake (Bancroft Minden) area planned cutting
    - Covered off Ottawa Valley area planned cutting
    - Future years – Gunn Lake – harvest north of lake, which requires to put in a road off of Hwy 62. This overlaps the Thomas P. Murray recreational trail / Red Pine recreational trail
    - Member (Eugene) – requests that logging roads be blocked off or closed to avoid illegal dumping, as has occurred in the past off of River Road
  - Sponsors were highlighted to the AGM attendees
Speakers & Guests
- Mayor Vivian Bloom (Mayor of Hastings Highlands) & Councilor Frank Hickey
  - Mayor Emond retired mid year, Mayor Vivian Bloom has assumed the role
  - Septage – testing has started on key parameters. Deadline for stoppage by PPS of spreading septage has been delayed due to large no. of residents on septic systems, however, it can be pulled forward at any time. Sites being reviewed for trenching system. Septage facility plan is required, though may not be required if can get into a WWT facility.
  - Library – have won awards for multi use space, and the facility plan is being used in other communities now.
  - Taxation – tax levy increased 2.9% (in line with cost of living). Assessment values increased over 7%. Next scheduled assessment is this fall, Mayor Bloom is encouraging residents to contact office staff if they have questions (they can provide some assistance with what questions to ask, etc.) but the office cannot help you to request reassessment.
  - Crown land /Algonquin tribe native peoples – native land claims. Not a lot of claims in Hastings Highlands. Must be some historical or other valid reason. Will be required to pay property taxes, which would be a benefit to the municipality (50% of land is Crown in Hastings Highlands, used to be funded by govts but has been stopped). Will also be required to build and maintain their own roads. Meeting this Tues 24-July. Will not be able to discuss land claims after this Tues.
    - Insertion – following the meeting, Dave Wilson & the Director team has decided to send an open letter of KAPOA concerns regarding the Algonquin native land claims, and the potential impact that these claims may have on KAPOA members.
  - Projects – slower due to no further provincial or federal funding. 12 year plan, trying to stay on schedule (1 Hwy 62 emergency spend this year $170K). 3.3% increase in population in Hastings Highlands. 2012 residential taxes are 3rd lowest in the county.
  - 100th anniversary of sinking of Mayflower – flotilla of boats leaving Barry’s Bay on Nov 12th
  - Question – member – joint arrangements between municipalities for fire? Mayor Bloom indicated that this would be a preferred arrangement, and they hope to be able to arrange this sometime in the future.
- Mayor Dave Schulist (Barry’s Bay Madawaska Valley)
  - Stressed importance of cottagers’ associations
  - Water treatment plant – expansion joint crack may have been leaking, but has been quickly repaired. Cannot say how many estimated litres were leaked.
  - Taxes: potential growth (subdivisions on Bark Lake, Tim Hortons) required to generate tax base. Algonquin land claims would provide further revenue stream. Indicated that it could free up some land for sale???
  - Thanks to local businesses for investing in the area i.e., Mark Willmer of Madawaska Mountain Ski Hill. Tim Hortons may be followed by other businesses.
  - Radio station (The Moose) – was sold but new owners are honouring the existing format.
  - Question – Bob Millar – rumour regarding property near WTP to be used for asphalt storage? Mayor Schulist has not heard, but concerned about asphalt near the lake.
  - Question – Mayor Bloom – what percentage of taxes does county take to be spent within the county (18% in Hastings Highlands, Mayor Schulist estimates 30% in Madawaska Valley)
Appreciation extended by Dave Wilson for use of Madawaska Ski Hill facility
Presentation by Toni Lavigne-Conway (Executive Director), Darlene Sernoskie, both of St. Francis Memorial Hospital Foundation
- Community hospital to seasonal residents who are now retiring here for 6 months versus 6 weeks of the year
- Challenged to find another small hospital that offers the range of services of St. Francis Memorial
- Valuable emergency services, especially proud of this
- Fundraising programs – equipment is not funded. Main Xray ($500K), mobile Xray ($250K) units, lab equipment are current needs. Total is over $1M.
- “Match It” program – Weston foundation has pledged to match up to $50K (maybe even $60K) for Xray machine. Some incentives (carving, quilt). Expires Sept 1st.
- Handouts will be provided to anyone able & interested to contribute.
- Mayor Bloom – Hastings Highlands $700K program is within $10K of its goal.
Future events announcements
- Regatta – Sat Aug 4th @ 1pm (was mentioned during the regatta presentation above)
- Appetizer Party at the Wilson residence – bring your own everything. Mark Willmer provided a brief endorsement of the appetizer party and encouraged all to attend.
Sean & Deanne Capstick appreciation by Vince Steepe
- Sean stepped up to fill in for president when KAPOA president announced resignation several years ago
- Deanne also worked tirelessly on the newsletter and water quality issues
- We are indebted to their efforts and this organization would not be where it is without them. A very heartfelt thanks (applause).
An appreciation was expressed for the tireless and capable efforts of George Newton, responsible for the complicated water flows and levels issues. Thank you again, George, and KAPOA extends best wishes for all your future endeavors.
Wrap up by Dave Wilson, and thank you to all who attended.