Annual Meeting - August 17, 2024

BBQ and Road Meeting

Preacher’s Point, Miller’s Lake

Hosts: Sue and Boyd

Weather: not as fine as the year before! (a little rain, a little sun…)

Chair: Boyd

Secretary: Sue

Treasurer: Paula

A)   Introductions

a.    Present

b.    Boyd and Sue

c.    Rod

d.    Gwen

e.    Andrew, Rachel, Austin and…(yikes, sorry, Austin’s sister!)

f.      Paula and Jaimie

g.    Chris, Anne, Justin and Isabel

h.    Christian, Hayden and Elora

i.       Stephen and Linda

j.       Eric

k.     Ben and Susie

l.       Barry

m.   Jeanette (plus, Cisco and Willow…!)

n.    Buff and Craig

o.    Jennifer and Derek

p.    Dan and Joanne

q.    Seymour, Eva, Aiden

B)    Last year’s minutes

a.    Brief reading of last year’s minutes (which will be placed on the website shortly)

C)   Road conditions

a.    It was explained that Blair Sand and Gravel performed some extensive road repair work at the west end of Boice Bradley Road recently. 40 of 48 cottagers on the road section described, donated between $1,500 and $3,000 each to repair the road. This amount was over and above their annual contribution which was deemed too light to perform the work. It is believed that over $62,000.00 (+/-) was raised for the work. It is also understood that a good portion of Merganser Trail is being considered for the same work, pending contributions from the cottage owners on that portion of the road

b.    The intended message for our group is that, although this wasn’t a “forced assessment”, it was a community effort to improve the road to provide safety, proper drainage, and reduced vehicle damage (among other benefits). The Preacher’s Lane/Miller’s Road Committee are suggesting that a similar, although less costly, approach be considered for our roads.

c.    The “committee” is preparing a detailed proposal for consideration to address some road and brush work expenditures to provide the same (added safety, better vision, better runoff (rain) and other benefits. It is anticipated that a proposal will be presented by the end of September, pending proper estimates are received from suppliers and third parties (where applicable)

d.    Christian (and helpers) to replace two culverts

  i.     One between Alex’s and Ben and Susie’s place (Miller’s)

  ii.     One on last hill on Preacher’s

e.    Rock outcrops

  i.     There are several rocks protruding from the roads

  ii.     Christian removed several of these over the years with his excavator “where possible”

  iii.     Some rocks are “bedrock” and not going anywhere without serious use of specialized equipment and/or micro blasting

1.     Estimates to be provided before implementing

2.     Additional material (B,A gravel, granite or limestone crush) has been used in the past with limited success. The heavier vehicle traffic and use eventually pushes the material down below the rocks and are not really considered a fix, but rather a temporary solution.

f.      Blind corners and safety concerns

  i.     Susie asked if a type of reflector can be considered for certain corners on the road to reduce nighttime safety and vision issues.

ii.     BR suggested that many of the blind corners, once the brush is reduced, will reduce the need for reflectors, but will take the suggestion under consideration

D)   Brush work to be done

a.    Gwen requested that the wildflowers on the side of the road between Alex’s and Ben and Susie’s place be left in place. BR acknowledged

b.    When any side brush cutting is planned, special consideration for privacy and appearance, in some locations will be avoided or done with reduced cutting.

c.    The “Road Committee” is investigating the rental and/or purchase of a brush clearing unit that could possibly be fastened to an existing machine (that is owned by one or more cottagers)

d.    One of the reasons for the above noted estimate for road/brush work is that the weather is becoming more “fierce and unpredictable”. On the day of the meeting for example, Pearson recorded the highest rainfall in the history of collecting data. We need to be (should be) ready for additional weather conditions that can affect the safety of our community. Hurricanes, tornados, wind microbursts and extra heavy rainfalls, all damage the roads, trees and surroundings.

e.    The tree with the “Private Road” sign is severely damaged and ready to collapse. The Road Committee will be removing the tree for safety reasons and relocating the sign (or possibly installing a proper sign post). BR is planning to clean up with sign (repaint) and re-install

E)    Financial update

a.    Paula presented an update on our financial position(s).

F)     Pot hole repair

a.    Preachers, Artisan and Miller’s recently repaired

b.    Expert Work performed by Tyler

i.     Approximately 5 hours, plus cost of A gravel

ii.     Invoice to follow from Christian

G)   Possible equipment rental or purchase

a.    See D (Brush Work) above

H)    New cottagers

a.    Alex’s second cottage has been sold to a family that has moved from Muskoka with two (grown) kids

b.    Christian’s Preacher’s property sold to …”Mr and Mrs Mystery”

i.     Christian to provide sale lawyer’s info to BR to follow up on contacting them

I)      New business

a.    It was noted that both Paul and Grazyna were taken away from their cottage by ambulance the weekend prior to the meeting

i.     We all hope that they are in good hands and recovering from their issues

ii.     Chris C. mentioned that he would follow up with them to see how they are progressing

b.    Paula advised that the “Gauntlet Challenge”, that raised considerable money last year, is being planned again for the fall (October 26th is a tentative date). This event raised money for the local “Heat Bank” with additional donations provided by the organizer…(Paula and Jaimie, and possibly a few others!!!)

c.    Eric asked if the right of way for the newly designated property at the entrance to Miller’s Road was defined

   i.     Additional details from an accurate source (?, maybe Lon Duncomb?) may be required to provide an accurate response

d.    Critter sightings

   i.     Lots of deer

   ii.     A Momma bear and mini bear spotted by Chris Chapman near the top of the first hill on Preacher’s

   iii.     Otters (everywhere)

   iv.     Skunks!

   v.     GIANT Snapping Turtle spotted

  vi.     Mergansers…(everywhere)

  vii.     Beaver (messing up the water levels on Miller’s)

  viii.     Great Blue Heron (often spotted between our place and Martin’s place)

   ix.     Lots of owls…

e.    Other

   i.     We wish all those who are unwell or recovering these days get better soon!

   ii.     We reminded ourselves that we are grateful for this wonderful, kind and generous community we find ourselves in

   iii.     We are extremely grateful for all the volunteers we have that a) chop down trees in a storm to help out others (Jaimie and Paula), b) fix the roads in their free time (starting with Christian…plus Boyd, Dan, Chris, Craig, Shane and others). A few others have offered their services when we get cutting again – thank you!!

   iv.     We thank Paula for her hard work in tracking our expenses and road fees, and managing the website, with some help from Jaimie!

   v.     A cottager, who’s birthday is imminent, has tentatively said that he will host next year’s Road Meeting and BBQ

J)     End of Meeting