KAPOA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM)
TUESDAY AUG 12, 2025
Barry’s Bay Legion, 250 John Street, Barry’s Bay
Lynne MacLean declared the meeting opened at 6:35, duly constituted and with a quorum of at least 12. Lynne reviewed the agenda and a motion was passed as follows:
Lynne MacLean put forward a motion to accept the AGM meeting minutes for the prior year. Second by Sabrina Biernat and agreed by a unanimous show of hands.
The floor was then turned over to Kerra Wylie
Kerra welcomed all attendees and acknowledged the generous donation of baked goods from Andrea Budarick of Barry’s Bay Farmer’s Market.
Introductions:
This is Kerra’s 4th year as KAPOA President (since Sep 2021) and involved with KAPOA as Regatta Director since 2010.
Current directors, most of whom have been with KAPOA for this past 4 years with me, and longer – Lynne MacLean (secretary), Candice Langlois (Treasurer), Peggy Olbrycht (membership), Greg Zdzienicki (Municipal Affairs and Regatta) and Vince Steepe (former Treasurer, director at large).
What we’ve accomplished over the past year:
- 10 KAPOA and local community members participated in the Carlton University Geography and Environmental Studies field course interviews last October. Really favourable feedback was received from the interactions with students by the interview participants, as well as from the course administrators. The field trip is again scheduled for this October with a new theme and format.
- We have finally been able to raise some awareness of the dire situation of the Hinterland Boat launch and the condition of the beach. Councillor Keith Buck has initiated a review of the publicly owned boat launches in the municipality and Hinterland is on the list. Discussion was conducted with MNRF to confirm that they are not the owners of the beach and boat launch, more on that later. Foster Lake park & beach (on way to Slabtown) in Carlow/Mayo is an example of what our beach could look like with planning & forethought. It has washrooms (not portable toilets) and picnic gazebos.
- KAPOA attended the annual meeting with our Hastings Highlands Interlake Association partners and shared successes and challenges with our 6 other partner associations. These meetings are always inspiring and encouraging as we share many of the same challenges and learn how other lakes are working to overcome them.
- At the Interlake meeting we also heard from Tony Fitzgerald, Mayor of Hastings Highlands. Tony provided updates on his challenges as follows:
- Road resurfacing priorities ($1M budget for next 5 years that won’t get the municipality caught up, River Road being one of those priorities that is scheduled for 2027 but will hopefully get pulled up to next year).
- Q: Julia MacDonald asked if Kamaniskeg Lake road resurfacing had been discussed, it had not. She noted that the condition of the road is appalling. She is familiar with the Hastings Highlands Customer Service request portal – a request was submitted and Julia has not received an answer yet.
- A $161M asset infrastructure deficit that makes equipment purchases including fire response equipment challenging
- the costs of culverts and tandem trucks due to US tariffs
- a $5B infrastructure budget and pot hole fund previously promised by the Ontario government which has not come through
- reduced revenue inflow from MPAC assessments which are expected to resume in 2026
Tony was optimistic about:
- Ontario’s Minister of Transportation is aware that Hastings Highlands is looking for financial assistance with Hwy 62
- Tony is the Deputy Warden of Hastings County and chair of the Finance Committee, providing him with insight and influence in some County dealings
- Federal Government fast tracking of national infrastructure projects
- Despite strong mayor powers given to any municipality with 6 or more councillors, he has strongly stated that he has no intention to use them as he sees this as a degradation of democracy
- He believes the municipal planning dept is keeping waterfront development in check though he’s aware that enforcement is lacking.
- Tony was very positive about the attendance at the shoreline preservation workshop held at the townhall and put on by the Hastings Highlands Interlake Association and the Bancroft Area Stewardship Council in May (another is planned for Sept) with encouraging attendance from all area lake residents including some from Kamaniskeg Lake
- We continue to maintain communication with forest licensees on matters of harvesting and forestry road classifications, as well as reviewing annual work plans and audit results for projects conducted by BMFC. We are currently in Year 4 of the 10-year plan (2021 – 2031). There is no harvesting or tending in this year’s annual plan for the crown land within our membership area by BMFC. Ottawa Valley Forestry Company continues to work in the Gun Lake area near the Phillip P Murray trail system and Long Lake Road.
- We have kept members updated of webinars, special area events and tours where possible via the Kamaniskeg Area Property Owners Association Facebook group, bulletins and newsletters. The North Hastings Fish Hatchery tour conducted earlier today is one example that Kerra attended with another KAPOA member. The tour was very informative and interesting and we’ll look to organize another tour next year with more notice provided.
New Issues we are following / future projects we’re discussing:
- Carlton University is returning with a group of 25-30 undergraduate students and bring them together with members of the Kamaniskeg Area Property Owners Association.
- These are 3rd year students studying either Geography or Environmental Studies.
- They are again based out of the Madawaska Kanu Centre for 3 nights and will be conducting a variety of site visits associated with food security and alternative food systems in the Madawaska Highlands. Some locations that they have in mind are: Spring to Life farm (Wilno), de Groots Apiary/farm (Wilno), The Sacred Gardener (Golden Lake), Seed & Stone farm (Rockingham), St. Francis Herb Farm, Barry’s Bay Farmers Market, etc.
- In place of the interviews that were conducted last year with 10 people in person or by phone, this year we will be collaborating on a survey to all of our members on the topics of volunteerism, barriers to getting involved and the cultural significance of the lake regatta. Watch for that survey in the fall which will come by bulletin .
- The Watersheds Canada Fish Habitat Program to restore spawning beds in Kamaniskeg Lake and Negeek Lake is taking place next Monday and Tuesday, Aug 18 & 19. Volunteers have already been preparing the needed 50 brush bundles that will be deposited in identified areas in both lakes. These are away from current and will not interfere with boat navigation, such as in back bays & along shorelines.
- MNRF Pembroke worked with Melissa Dakar at Watersheds Canada to identify the trout spawning beds on Kamaniskeg and walleye beds on Negeek that need restoration work.
- Volunteers have already put up their hands to help out next week, thank you to those who have done so. If anyone else is interested in helping, please let me know as soon as possible as light hands make for a shorter day. We start at 9am both days and welcome any students looking for volunteer hours.
- Following the work effort, I’ll be proposing a donation to Watersheds Canada to assist with salaries & travel for the employees of Watersheds Canada who are bringing their expertise, manpower and boat to us to conduct this work. While supplies are funded through donations and sponsors, these other costs are not funded and so contributions such as ours are very well received. The Directors will discuss an appropriate amount in our meeting following the member meeting tonight.
- Q: Julia MacDonald asked that we consider a water intake valve at Hinterland Beach when beach improvements are considered and discussed with the municipality. This could assist with fire response, which currently does not take water from the lake.
- At last year’s meeting a number of members raised the issue of speed and wakes along the Madawaska River (north and south of Lake Kamaniskeg) for boater and swimmer safety as well as to reduce erosion & dock wear & tear. Richard Vincent of Ohio Road generously offered to obtain and post a small number of signs, which he and another member are monitoring for any sign of compliance or improvement in wake and speed etiquette. More permanent signage will be considered if we feel that the educational signage is helping. Some very early feedback from signage posted over the Aug long weekend was not very encouraging, seeing Sea Doos being some of the primary culprits for speeding and creating large wakes. However, I am optimistic that like with every proposed change in thinking, education takes patience and time. Antagonistic exchanges on Facebook are not helpful and very divisive. Let’s keep at this long term and I am hopeful that we’ll see some improvement.
- Hinterland Beach – While we await some feedback from the Hastings Highlands review of Hinterland Beach boat ramp, Cole Beecroft has volunteered to consider what other beach improvement efforts could be conducted to improve the usability and enjoyment of the beach for our members, annual events and the larger community. Depending on his recommendations, anticipated cost and commitments by the Municipality, we may consider a fundraising campaign and KAPOA use of invested funds into improvements. At this point, this is anticipated to be a next year initiative.
- Garbage cleanup by a neighbouring cottager’s association (Carson Trout Lepine and Greenan) has identified that the intersection of Kartuzy & Siberia Roads, east side, has become a dumping ground. Please be on the lookout for illegal dumping activity and report it.
- Q: Barbara McIntyre asked if any conversations had been held this year with OPG regarding lake levels. KAPOA has not. Barbara indicated that the lake has fluctuated as much as 28 inches this year, and raised a concern for the impact on loon nests.
Treasurer’s Report
Kerra reviewed the Financial Statements that were distributed at the beginning of the meeting. KAPOA finished 2024 in a strong financial position with cash and investments in the bank for funding future initiatives and a nearly $1,800 net profit.
Kerra Wylie put forward a motion to waive auditors for the current year. Second by Vince Steepe and agreed by a unanimous show of hands.
Membership Report
Lynne MacLean reported that last year we received 246 memberships. She reported that this year we have received 257 membership payments that we have received by e-transfer, at Bay Day, Poker Run, Regatta, AGM and door to door canvassing. We have not received returns from all our reps so we are expecting more payments in the near future.
This year we have purchased and distributed lime green can koozies to those who have paid their membership. After conversation with other Associations in the area, it seems swag is a popular incentive to paying memberships and hopefully that will prove true for KAPOA.
Lynne acknowledged our reps as follows: Jim Clelland (Lakeshore Rd), Anna Dolan (Arrrow Rd.), Bev Krupa (North River Rd.), Cathryn Rees (South River Rd. and Golfers Lane), Pat Tranjanovski (Ohio Rd.), Jeanette Wright (Poray and Jordan Lane) and Lorie Davies (Kamaniskeg Lake Road). She also put out the call for more reps for Negeek Lake, Bleski Road and Mask Island.
Poker Run 2026
While we were unable to obtain a chairperson to run the annual Poker Run to raise funds for much needed medical equipment this year, we are very pleased to announce that we have a chair for next year’s event! Gerri Lucas has put her hand up to chair the event, with help from Janis Water.
The Foundation supports: St. Francis Memorial Hospital, the Madawaska Valley Palliative Care Unit and the Manor Long Term Care Facility. In spite of the fact that there will be no Poker Run this year, Lynne MacLean encouraged folks to continue forwarding their donations to SFVH Foundation.
There has been $220,000 plus raised through the Poker Run over 12 years for the hospital.
All expenses and costs of organizing are covered through sponsorship (no impact to KAPOA).
Regatta
Greg acknowledged the great turnout at the regatta this year. The weather was perfect and a fun time was had by all. Unfortunately, we did have an incident with a person having issues. An ambulance was called and while waiting we had a volunteer ICU nurse take care of the person. In future, a First Aid Kit and Defibrillator being on hand for such events will be a priority for the KAPOA directors.
The Regatta takes a lot of volunteers, and the following received special thanks: the Wainwright Family who put in the docks (after repairing them after someone helped themselves to two of the legs) and operated the finish line all afternoon, Stephen Coe who again designed us a better finish line, Cathy Pitts, Yuill’s ValuMart and Sand Bay Camp for their donations. Greg reiterated the need for volunteers at next year’s event and asked that members approach him if they can help.
Director Nominations
Before we start into the Directors who are returning, we would like to acknowledge the contributions of long-time KAPOA Director, Vince Steepe. Vince is stepping down this year after having been with KAPOA since 1969!! Vince, thank you for your length of service, and your commitment to our community. You will be missed.
KAPOA is actively seeking nominations for 2 open positions within the KAPOA Board of Directors. All director positions are to be re-elected each year, including those folks who are returning for another year. The following existing Directors are seeking re-election by the membership this year:
Lynne MacLean, Candice Langlois, Peggy Olbrycht, Greg Zdzienicki andKerra Wylie.
The following positions are open and new directors are being sought to fill these positions:
- Communications Director
- Municipal Affairs monitoring the MV Council activities for topics of interest to our members
- We also have opportunities to oversee invasive species education, volunteer coordination, as well as to run new events.
Our bylaws recommend 7 directors. All directors will be nominated as Directors “at large” with the assignment of roles to occur at our Directors’ meeting following this AGM.
Nominations were received from Judy McKennell and Shane Pitts. There were no further nominations.
Kerra Wylie put forward a Motion to accept Judy McKennell as a new Director on the KAPOA board. Seconded by Lynne MacLean & agreed by a unanimous show of hands.
Kerra Wylie put forward a Motion to accept Shane Pitts as a new Director on the KAPOA board. Seconded by Greg Zdzienicki & agreed by a unanimous show of hands.
Kerra Wylie put forward a Motion to re-elect Kerra Wylie, Lynne MacLean, Candice Langlois, Peggy Olbrycht and Greg Zdzienicki to the KAPOA board. Seconded by Shane Pitts & agreed by a unanimous show of hands.
Acknowledgement of Volunteers – Kerra Wylie
Following are the volunteers that we’d like to recognize for their contributions in 2025:
Email Publications – Newsletters, Bulletins – Leonard Furtado
Website Administration – Evan Croskery
KAPOA Facebook Group administration – Lynne MacLean, myself
Regatta:
- The Wainwright family
- Our KAPOA Directors & family members as well as Tim & Hunter on the dock and the numerous beach goers who jumped in to help throughout the day.
- Stephen Coe for our wonderful new finish line system & Brock Millar for running the tug-of-war at the end of the event.
Bay Days – our director team
Membership Area Reps:
- Peggy Olbrycht
- Lynne MacLean
- Pat Trajanovski
- Jim Clelland
- Jeanette Wright
- Cathryn Rees
- Anna Dolan
- Bev Krupa
- Lorie Davies
Hastings Highlands Interlake Association – Daphne Van Ham (Land Use Planning input)
Wrap-up – Kerra Wylie
Kerra asked if there were any further questions before we proposed a motion to adjourn our meeting – there were none.
Kerra advised that the AGM meeting minutes from today will be posted on our website in the next few weeks, along with some of the presentations from today for anyone who would like to revisit them or who could not be here today.
She would also love to receive feedback following today’s meeting but we’re convening a Director’s meeting immediately following this meeting, so she couldn’t chat today, but please feel free to reach out by email or phone in the coming weeks
Kerra put forward a Motion to adjourn the 2025 AGM at 8:20 p.m. Seconded by Barbara McIntyre & agreed by a unanimous show of hands.
A member made a request following the meeting to remind members of the “good neighbour/renter” rules that KAPOA has previously published.
Cathryn Rees made a suggestion for future swag – provide a reflective sticker for 911 poles to assist folks with finding their driveways after dark.
Director Meeting
Kerra Wylie nominated Greg Zdzienicki as President, Second by Shane Pitts, agreed by all.
Kerra Wylie nominated Lynne MacLean as Secretary, Second by Greg Zdzienicki, agreed by all.
Kerra Wylie nominated Peggy Olbrycht as Membership Director, Second by Greg Zdzienicki, agreed by all.
Kerra Wylie nominated Candice Langlois as Treasurer, Second by Lynne MacLean, agreed by all.
Lynne MacLean nominated Kerra Wylie as Director at Large, Second by Greg Zdzienicki, agreed by all.
Lynne MacLean nominated Judy McKennell as Director at Large, Second by Greg Zdzienicki, agreed by all.
Kerra Wylie nominated Shane Pitts as Director at Large, Second by Lynne MacLean, agreed by all.
Discussion of our next board meeting followed – date, time & location will be confirmed by email. Just after Thanksgiving weekend (October) is most convenient for most.
The Director team agreed to a $1,000 donation to Watersheds Canada in support of their Fish Habitat projects.
Prepared by: Kerra Wylie &Lynne MacLean, August 15, 2025
