2025 Annual Meeting - August 9, 2025
Meeting Minutes - BBQ and Road Meeting Preacher’s Point, Miller’s Lake
Hosts: Sue and Boyd
Weather: Excellent
Chair: Boyd
Secretary: Sue
Treasurer: Paula
A)Introductions:
- Present: Alex , Eric, Stephen and Linda, Derek, Howard and Theresa, Shawn and Christine, Buff and Craig, Christian and Elora, Jeanette, Jamie, Jenna, Will and Sophia, Wayne and Lorrie, Dan and Joanne, Peter, Chris and Anne, Jaimie and Paula, Rod and Wendy, Sue and Boyd
B)Last year’s minutes:
Brief reading of last year’s minutes
A) Introductions
B) Road conditions
C) Brush work to be done
D) Financial update:
a. Insurance increased from $800 (+/-) to $1,084.32
b. Bank Balance: Preacher’s - $13,783.78 and Miller’s (Guilford) - $14,615.54
c. Other costs: i. Land Taxes - $40.55 ii. Pro-link Insurance - $1,084.32
d. Road Work costs – 2024 (to date) 1. Miller’s Portion - $2,096.15 2. Preacher’s Portion - $4,881.60
E) Pothole repair
F) Possible equipment rental or purchase
G) New cottagers
H) New business a. End of (2024) Meeting
C) Road Report – brush work
a. Extensive brush work coordinated by Christian and executed by Muskoka Tree Mulching
b. Generally positive feedback on the work
c. Costs split based on distance of work performed
d. Still some clean up work to be done, but considerably less than if we did it with “cottage labour”
e. Shane (Odd Jobbers) offered to assist with further clean up on request
f. All agreed that the brush work done was a good decision
g. All were advised that additional clean up work will be implemented when volunteers are available
h. Additional blind corner areas to be cleaned up when volunteers are available
D) Road report – grading and gravel
a. Road was graded in July by Blair Sand and Gravel
b. Additional material to be added later this month i. BR gave BS+G a map of where extra material to be added
c. Some residents have removed “stones and rocks” left by the grader by hand (and foot...) and....thank you
d. There are some flat spots that tend to attract potholes more than others and material will be added
e. Describe other locations to group
f. More material (A Gravel) to be applied to certain areas and will begin the week of August 25th
g. Certain portions of the road will have manual clean up (IE Raking smaller rocks off critical areas) – done the week of August 18th
h. It is anticipated that we will have task specific machinery in the fall to address some of the larger rock outcrops that cannot be moved with an excavator (or by hand). This machine involves the use of a hydraulic “hammer” to break up the rock
E) Road Report – “other”
a. There is one steel culvert on Preacher’s that was damaged and needs replacing (top of hill before Chapman’s-Roberton’s)
b. We may consider the use of a “machine to break up rocks in the road that can’t be removed by an excavator (previously tried) i. Estimated cost in the $1,500 range...see h. above
c. Extra brush work and cleanup
d. Grading damage i. Green Gate being repaired – in the fall
e. Sign update – the main road sign (Private) has been repainted and will be reinstalled in the fall. The existing tree that it was fastened to was made “at risk of falling” by very hungry woodpeckers and needs to be replaced
f. Are any more signs required, like SLOW DOWN? Not at this time
g. Courtesy announcement when driving our roads...(see f) above)
F)Financial Report:
a. MILLERS: - bank account balance: $9,923.35 i. This amount shows balance after expenses “at date of meeting” ii. Grading and new material expenses to be deducted after the work is performed
b. PREACHERS: - bank account balance: $12,949.90 i. This amount shows balance after expenses “at date of meeting” ii. Grading and new material expenses to be deducted after the work is performed
c. Shared Expenses Include:
- Dysart Land Taxes: `$88.99
- Insurance: $1,141.56
- Muskoka Tree Mulching: $13,382.60
- total: $14,613.15
d. Road Fee Consolidation, Part 15...
i. Over the last several years, and mostly at these meetings, we have discussed the possibility of road fee consolidation
ii. One of the early reasons was for the ease of billing
iii. Some of the reasons that we had not implemented consolidation earlier include, but are not limited to: Miller’s/Artisan pay $100 less than Preacher’s and 7-12 cottagers, over 20 years (based on my arrival) had contributed somewhere between $17k and $20k not including volunteered contributions (over $8k from Preacher’s residents alone); 20+ years ago, the additional amounts for Preacher’s was intended for “road use” on Miller’s to “get to” Preachers; subsequent to this, we have suggested and recognized that we are all “one community”; What would be a fair amount for both sides? Everyone pay $350? $400? More...? a. That means Miller’s would “match” Preacher’s b. Fair?
k. After a general discussion and “unanimous vote” by all those present, it was agreed to: i. Consolidate all three roads to one account (legal implication concerns to be clarified re Miller’s versus Preacher’s legal status); ii. To increase the fees to $500.00 for “all” participants - The Road committee will provide an update on what improvements this means for our road and surrounding area; Increase to be implemented June 2026; and Investigate depositing the excess funds into an interest bearing account (example GIC, or equivalent)
G) Gauntlet Challenge 2025 update
a. Scheduled for October 25th
b. Paula and Jaimie to provide formal notice and invitations shortly
c. Donations will be accepted for those who cannot attend
d. Last year, with top up donations by the organizers, this event raised over $3,650.00 for the cause (Heat Bank Haliburton)
N) New Cottagers introduction b. The Hancock Family was welcomed: Jamie, Jenna, Will and Sophia
H) Thank you notes
a. Christian – road work
b. Tyler – road work
c. Paula – finance
d. Paula and Jaimie – gauntlet challenge
e. Rod Thurston – winter plowing
f. Sue – and food volunteers
g. Chris – trail work
I) Announcements:
a. Grandchildren were added to the Firestone Family, Tyler and Sarah, Alex Dagg, and...the Roberton’s. b. Congratulations to Christian and Elora on their marriage!
J) Big Prizes!! a. Two Dump passes! Wahoo! b. Prizes were presented including a few dump passes and UCSH Golf Shirts (worth millions...)
K)Hosting volunteers for 2026 a. If interested, please see me AFTER the meeting...(or later) b. Jaimie Hancock added his name to the volunteer road work crew c. Next year’s Meeting location to be confirmed – volunteer to host the BBQ next year to contact Boyd please
L) New Business a. Most, if not all, new business is itemized above
M)Closing thoughts a. Be kind to others, enjoy our amazing neighbourhood and enjoy life...
N)End of meeting a. Adjourned by Alex Dagg and seconded by Wendy Sisson