Minutes October 26, 2003

Minutes of the 2nd Meeting of

The Patterson Lake Association

399 Hardwood Ridge Road

October 26, 2003

Present: Rhodena Bell, Bill Brooks, Lorne Bowerman, Dave MacCrimmon, Martyn Howard,
Terry Wilkie, and Jim Neelin.

Regrets: None

1. Lorne welcomed the members at 2:00 PM. Dave had prepared and distributed the agenda. Moved by Dave and seconded by Martyn that the agenda be accepted. Carried.
2. Bill moved seconded by Martyn that the minutes of the last meeting on August 30, 2003 be accepted. Carried.
3. Lorne noted two events concerning our members: Bill & Babe celebrated their 50^th
   wedding anniversary on October 17. A round of well wishes was extended to them. Of note as well was that Martyn was running for councillor in Ward 3. The meeting wished him well.
4. A discussion was held about putting the minutes on the website so all could see. Terry moved seconded by Bill that the minutes be published on the website. Carried
5. The meeting reviewed the proposed concept of membership. It was decided to define membership in the Association as those who pay the membership dues. Lorne will modify the proposed constitution. Lorne also noted that this implies that we hold an annual meeting open to all members at some suitable site. The community halls in Watson’s Corners or Macdonald’s Corners are possible places. This will be discussed next year.
6. The meeting was very pleased with the first newsletter produced by Lorne. It was decided to publish 4 newsletters a year in April, June, August, and October. After a good discussion, it was decided to have executive meetings four times per year in April, June, August, and October.
7. In a round table discussion of dues, Bill reported that he had taken the $5/member fee from his area’s road fees. Lorne had collected 2 of 15; Terry nil; Martyn 14 of 24; Dave 16 of 19; and Rhodena 1 of 1. The concept of using a membership form was left to the discretion of each representative. Terry provided a sample of a possible form.
8. Dave and Lorne had received communications from Township Council members indicating that they would keep us informed of any developments that might affect Patterson Lake. Dave reported that the letter sent by Lorne stating that a Lake Association had been formed was read at a Council meeting.
9. Rhodena provided information from the Big Rideau Lake Association for use as a possible guide of activities. Rhodena will check with Lanark Highlands Business & Tourism about a possible link to our web page. Lorne has not heard whether the Lanark Highlands Economic Development will host our web site. If they do not, Lorne will use his site.
10. Terry had done some research on mineral rights. It appears to be a confusing subject. He distributed copies of an article titled “Yours or Mine” by Charles Long and published in the July/August 2002 issue of Cottage Life. One important point is that gravel (aggregates) are not classified as a mineral. This does not seem to be an issue at present for our Lake.
11. Martyn contacted the Coast Guard regarding placing a marker on the shoal rock off Mary’s Island. From the literature Martyn had gathered and distributed it appears that a day beacon would be required. The meeting discussed what type of hazard markers were necessary, especially as our empty plastic containers seem to be doing the task. Martyn will price a day beacon. Lorne offered two empty and time expired propane tanks that could be painted and used. This offer was accepted and Lorne will take the tanks to Martyn. The meeting also thought that Martyn should make a list next summer of all the hazard markers that are being placed by Lake residents.
12. Rhodena has been doing research on the history of Patterson Lake. She has stories written by five generations starting with her great great grandfather of life in 1821. Rhodena thought that as a group, we should start a fish report diary for the Lake, something that would record the catch and release as well as fish caught. The purpose of the diary would be to gauge the Lake as a fish habitat. Bill offered look into this.
13. A long long discussion was held on lake levels. Lorne provided a graph of his data based on measurements since 1995. We are not at a point yet when we can choose any desired mid-summer level. There is a seasonal variation of about 22″; high in the spring and fall, and low in mid-summer. A beaver dam in 2003 kept the level about 10″ higher than normal. The Fair’s Lane owners (south west shore) have trouble with high levels because of undermining of trees and loss of frontage, aggravated by the waves from speed boats during the summer. The shallow east end owners are troubled by low water as they cannot operate their boats in the east end, thus causing them to go to the west end (Fair’s Lane are part of the west end) to operate their boats, thus causing more undermining of trees. Martyn felt strongly that any water level decision must include a means of keeping the beaver dams clear. The meeting did not want to leave the subject before making some progress. Bill moved seconded by Terry that we keep the culvert clear of beaver dams and debris, that we look at the lake level on July 1, 2004, and then we meet and agree or disagree on the acceptability of that level. Carried 5 votes to 1 against.
14. Dave will work on a schedule for clearing debris. For 2003, the following representatives will arrange to clear the debris during the dates noted: November 1to 7 – Martyn; November 8 to14 – Lorne; November 15 to 21 – Terry; November 22 to 28 – Bill; November 29 to December 5 – Dave. To help coordinate the clearing, members are asked to contact the next member when the clearance has been done.
15. The date for the next meeting was set for Sunday April 18, 2004 at 2:00 PM. The meeting will be hosted by Martyn at 521 Parsons Lane.