Minutes of the Annual General Meeting
The Patterson Lake Association of Lanark Highlands
August 31, 2008
Watsons Corners Hall, Lanark Highlands
1. Lorne Bowerman, the President, opened the meeting at 2:00 PM and welcomed everyone. Lorne appointed Connie Bowerman as Recording Secretary. Lorne introduced the Board members present: Ted Manning, Howard Stanley, and Jack Hobbs. Patrick Gillilland and Rhodena Bell were unable to attend.
2. Lorne confirmed that we have a quorum. In response to a question, Lorne said that a quorum is 20% of our paid-up members which is usually around 50 or about one-half of the possible members. That would mean we would need 10 members present.
3. Lorne explained the conduct of the meeting and the use of voting cards. Anyone could speak to a motion, however, only those with voting cards could vote.
4. Don Drummond moved seconded by Ken Potter that the Agenda be accepted. Carried.
5. Jack Hobbs moved seconded by Ted Manning that minutes of the last Annual General Meeting be approved. Carried.
6. Howard Stanley, the Treasurer, distributed a Statement of Revenue & Expenses and the Balance Sheet for the year ending July 31, 2008. Howard noted that we had 48 membersips for 2007/2008 and that we had on July 31, 2008 13 memberships for the next year, 2008/2009. We had a total revenue of $1,220.00 and expenses of $635.12, leaving excess revenue of $584.88. The Balance Sheet showed Assets of cash in the bank of $1,100.42. With nil Liabilities, Equity consists of the bank balance of $515.54 on July 31, 2007 plus the excess revenue for the year ending July 31, 2008, giving a total of $1,100.42. (Assets minus Liabilities equals Equity).
7. Lorne read the Auditor’s Report from Bud Kern which stated:
The records of Receipts and Disbursements as well as the Balance Sheet have been reviewed and found to accurately portray the Association’s position for the year ended 31 July, 2008.
Mr. Stanley is to be congratulated. All records were found to be very detailed and easily reviewed.
Minor comments/recommendations are listed below.
- Receipts should always show the dollar amounts to avoid later confrontation eg 638603 and 638604.
- All invoices approved for payments should be stamped or written “Paid” with the “cheque number” and “date”. This makes future cross references easily done and prevents the item being paid again.
8. After further discussion, Howard moved seconded by Terry Wilkie that the financial statement be accepted. Carried with a round of applause for the good job that Howard is doing.
9. Lorne explained the progress of the Lake Management Plan. The initial phase which gives the history and state of the lake at the present is just about completed. The next phase will be a process to discover things that should be done to maintain the health of the lake as we have it now. Ted Manning gave a report on the water quality tests that he has been doing this year. Lorne noted that our Secchi reading is still 5.5 metres which is very good. Jim Neelin asked whether shoreline management would be included in the Lake Management Plan and was advised that it would be. Several members noted the high water levels this summer It is the thought that these are because of the record setting amount of rain. The Township is clearing the culverts on a regular basis without reference to the Association. Lorne passed around a sample of the marble/limestone mud that has been found at the bottom of the lake and creek. The opinion is that this is the reason the lake is slightly alkaline at lower levels. Ken Potter asked about clear cutting close to Patterson Lake. The answer seems to be that it is perfectly legal on private land. Lorne distributed information about septic tank management noting the two main points; it is a property owner’s responsibility, and the sludge should be pumped out when the tank is one-third full. Joannah Jarman mentioned www.wellaware.ca for information.
10. In regard to lake security, Lorne told the meeting that the last OPP visit was not at the request of the Association. Lorne stated that the OPP have the right to patrol the lake at any time with or without the Association’s knowledge or consent. Margaret Driscoll reported major damage from a boat colliding with their dock one night. The OPP were notified but could do little as there was no identification. Mary Elizabeth Jamieson raised the problem of speeding boats close to shore and will contribute an article for the Newsletter. Wendell Crosbie spoke of the need for swimmers to make sure they can be seen by boaters by wearing hats, caps, or using noodles.
11. Lorne gave the report of the Nominating Committee of the Whole Board. The nominations were Lorne Bowerman from Lakeside Rd/White Pine Lane, Jack Hobbs from Porcupine Way, Ted Manning from Hardwood Ridge Rd, and Howard Stanley from Fairs Way/Lane. Volunteers were requested for Parsons Way/Lane, however no one came forward. We also lack a nomination from Nelsons Way/Joes Crescent. Jack moved seconded by Ted that the nominations be accepted. Carried. The Board will work on getting representations from the missing road areas.
12. It was moved by Howard and seconded by Ted that Bud Kern be appointed Auditor. Carried. Also, it was moved by Howard and seconded by Ted that the Royal Bank of Canada be appointed bankers to the Association. Carried.
14. Under Other Business, Ted opened a discussion about a Lake Association Summer Event, noting that we have a large number of paddleboats on the lake. Mary Elizabeth Jamieson, Dorothy Hobbs, Dave MacCrimmon, and Kathleen Sullivan volunteered to work on the suggestion. Jim Higginson spoke about living with loons and offered to write something for the Newsletter. Johannah Jarman spoke about mineral rights, and offered as well to write something for the Newsletter.
15. There being no further business, it was moved by Larry Heide and seconded by Don Drummond that the meeting adjourn. Carried. Jack Hobbs requested a round of applause for Lorne for the work his has done for the Association, and this was warmly given.
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