Contact us: PO BOX 539, SOUTH RIVER, ON P0A 1X0

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1 Contact us: PO BOX 539, SOUTH RIVER, ON P0A 1X0 Charter Mandate: To promote, foster, and improve the quality of the air, water, flora, fauna and the community in and around the region of Eagle Lake, Machar Township in the District of Parry Sound, Ontario and to provide a vehicle in which persons living on or owning property on such lake may make their interests and views known to all municipal and other governmental authorities and each other, for the mutual benefit of the community. March 2015 Interim Editor: Shirley Brown President s Letter I hope everyone has enjoyed, or endured, another long, cold winter. On the upside, the large amount of snow continues to provide an exceptionally good season for snowmobilers in the area will again be a busy year for the ELCA and our volunteers, beginning with the annual litter pick up day on May 2nd. The success of the Eagle Lake Calendar over the past two years has been beneficial for the ELCA and a new calendar for 2016 will be published and ready for sale in July. If you have any photographs of Eagle Lake, or the surrounding area, which you would like to submit for the calendar, please submit them for consideration. Details are provided elsewhere in this newsletter. determines the direction the ELCA will take in future years. In previous years, the AGM has benefited from the participation of the Mayor or Deputy Mayor who have provided an update on Council achievements and challenges. They have also responded to questions from our members. In my experience this has assisted the Mayor in understanding the concerns of our members. Just as importantly, the participation of the Mayor has provided insight into the many pressures faced by Council and the very real limitations they have on their ability to meet all the demands or expectations of the taxpayers. The AGM is open to all current members of the ELCA. I invite you all to attend and participate in the meeting. We will be holding our Annual General Meeting at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 8th, at the South River Seniors Centre, followed by our picnic at Mikisew Park at 1:00 p.m. The AGM provides an opportunity for members to obtain an update on all ELCA activities, including a full accounting of our revenue and expenditures. Members can question the President or Board members about our activities and programs and offer comments or suggestions for improvements. In this way, the membership Have a great summer. - Mike Mitchell

2 ALMAGUIN QUILTERS GUILD Have you ever snuggled under a cosy quilt, ideal for this extremely cold winter? It s never too early to discuss the ELCA picnic. Last year we had a wonderful turn out. There were many new faces as well as many familiar ones. Picnics are traditionally held outdoors in a beautiful setting with lots of good food and friendly faces. What better setting could we have than our beloved Eagle Lake? All ELCA members and their families are welcome! If you have guests please bring them as well, the more the merrier! Don t miss out on all the fun, food and games on Saturday August 8, 2015 at 1 p.m. in Mikisew Provincial Park. The Almaguin Quilters Guild members needles are busy creating works of art for this summer s upcoming quilt show. An entirely new display of creativity can be seen on August 8 & 9 in a truly unique setting. The refurbished century barn provides such a charming venue for the second show held in this location on Bunker Hill west of South River. The Guild has raffle tickets for sale on a beautiful quilt which will be displayed at the show. Hope to see you there! No admission charge for men! ELCA s 2016 Calendar is being assembled Scenes from beautiful Eagle Lake are irresistible! ELCA s 2015 calendars were very popular and travelled far and wide. Some even made their way to Greece to remind past visitors of what they are missing! Time marches on and it is now time to prepare the 2016 ELCA calendar. Please send in your photos to be included in this 12 page display of Eagle Lake s finest views and memories. Photos need to be of high resolution, and ed to stephanieapollonio@gmail.com, or call Photos will be selected by our independent designer. Calendars will be available as of July 1 st, 2015 for $10 each. If you haven t already bought one, a few 2015 calendars are still available at a reduced price.

3 POLICING COSTS As you are probably aware, the costs charged to Machar Township for policing by the Ontario Provincial Police will increase dramatically over the next few years, with the first increase occurring in This is the result of a new formula developed by the OPP and the Province which has shifted police costs from larger, more urbanized municipalities to more rural areas like our Township. Despite the increased cost, there will be no increase or improvement in the level of policing service received by Township residents. Although many of the affected municipalities, including Machar Township, argued against this new formula, it has been approved. It represents a significant increase in our annual municipal expenditures over which Council has no control. Council can, however, determine the method of allocating these costs to the individual taxpayer. The new formula is based on a defined cost per property so that all taxpayers - residential, retail, industrial etc.. - are captured in the cost allocation. I have written to Mayor Carleton on behalf of the ELCA to request that this per property amount constitute the tax increase for all taxpayers in the Township. In effect, every taxpayer in the Township would then pay the same amount for police service. The concern for our Board of Directors is that the annual chargeback for policing Machar Township will be totalled into the entire tax recovery formula for the municipality. If this happens, Market Value Assessment will result in properties that are determined to be more valuable paying a greater percentage of the policing costs. This will be a major concern for our members because waterfront properties are allocated a significantly higher market value assessment in Machar Township. To date, I have not received a response from Mayor Carleton. I will provide an update in the next ELCA Newsletter. Mike Mitchell We ve moved! 162 Main Street (between Market Street & Barrie Street) Sundridge, Ontario

4 SEPTIC SYSTEMS One of the main threats to the water quality of Eagle Lake and surrounding waterways is improperly functioning septic systems and holding tanks. If you are uncertain about the reliability of your system, it would be worthwhile to have it inspected. As many of you are aware, Rick Vaillancourt has taken over the local septic hauling and disposal business from Doug Loney. He is certified for tank inspection, hauling, and disposal but not full system inspections. In order to have a full inspection of a system completed, a fully certified contractor must be contacted. permits across the Nipissing District and defined areas within Parry Sound District. The Authority provides a variety of services related to sewage disposal systems including: Plan Input and Review Issuance of Sewage System Permits Site Inspections for New Systems as well as: Expansions or Renovations to Existing Structures Complaint Investigations File Reviews and Legal Inquiries Re-Inspection Programs The ELCA will identify local contractors who are properly qualified and request that they provide an estimate of potential costs that might be incurred by our members for this type of service. Follow up information will be provided in the next newsletter. The North Bay Mattawa Conservation Authority is designated under the Ontario Building Code to conduct inspections and issue sewage system

5 If you own a business in the South River area WE ALL WANT TO KEEP OUR LAKE CLEAN AND BEAUTIFUL Please join us for our 4 th Annual Litter Pick-up Date: Saturday, May 2 nd, 2015 Registration: The Narrows Time: 9:30am Lunch and Refreshments served and would like to advertise in our newsletter and/or on our website, please contact Fay Boyd at boydf@sympatico.ca for information and advertising rates PLEASE BRING A PAIR OF WORK GLOVES AND DON T FORGET TO MARK THIS DATE ON YOUR CALENDAR

6 ELCA MEMBERSHIP FORM (January - December) Please return form and fee to ELCA, Box 539, South River, Ontario P0A 1X0 (Can't remember if you've already paid the membership fee? Check the far right side of the mailing label on your snail mail or contact Fay Boyd - boydf@sympatico.ca) NOTE: As per changes to the constitution approved at the 2011 AGM, each membership entitles you to two (2) voting members - one must be the property owner and the second can be any relative of the property owner who also uses your cottage. You must indicate on the form below who you want the voting members to be. Voting member #1 (must be property owner): Roll # (from Tax Bill): Change of Address? Y N (Please keep your address current) Home Address Postal Code Eagle Lake Address Postal Code Home Phone Lake Phone Cell Phone Voting member #2: Home Address: (If different from above): Home Phone Please send newsletters and other correspondence to: #1: or regular mail OR #2: or regular mail Membership Type: New Renewal 1 year ($20) 2 year ($40) 5 year ($100) Other I would like to make a donation: $ Are you interested in serving on any of the following committees? (please check) Picnic Lake Markers Cottage Watch Lake Rehabilitation Other (specify) Comments: