Minutes April 18, 2004

Minutes of the 3rd Meeting of

The Patterson Lake Association

521 Parsons Lane

April 18, 2004

Present: Bill Brooks, Lorne Bowerman, Dave MacCrimmon, Martyn Howard.

Regrets: Rhodena Bell, Terry Wilkie.

1. Lorne opened the meeting at 2:00 PM. Bill moved seconded by Dave that the agenda be accepted. Carried.
2. Bill moved seconded by Martyn that the minutes of the last meeting on October 26, 2003 be accepted as published. Carried.

Lake Level

3. It was moved by Dave and seconded by Lorne that the bottom of the north culvert be the official measurement base for Patterson Lake levels. Carried. This will allow more meaningful discussions when discussing levels. At the moment everyone has their own particular measuring stick. Lorne suggested that the best plan for everyone involved in measurements was to calibrate their measure with the culvert on a calm day. (Secretarial Note: Dave or Lorne also keep current readings and could provide them over the phone).
4. Dave noted that the culverts have been kept 100% clean so far this year by himself. He also noted that the beaver are not very active yet. After a lengthy discussion about whether the Association should keep the culverts clean itself, it was moved by Dave and seconded by Martyn that the Lake Association Executive take the necessary action required to maintain the lake level at some established level. Carried. The actual method of cleaning was left up to Dave who could call the Township, call on local neighbours, or involve the entire lake. The meeting noted that the Township will respond immediately if there is a threat to the road from very high water levels, but their response to other cases would be judged on the severity of the problem.
5. The question of what level is desirable was discussed at length. The water level at the meeting time was 18″ which is a normal high spring level. Our long term data shows that the level drops to a late summer level of zero, then climbs again to around 18″ by freeze-up. In 2003 a beaver dam kept the level at around 10″ in mid summer, which seemed to have been accepted generally as a good compromise between too high and too low. It was moved by Lorne and seconded by Bill that the suggested mid summer lake level be set at 10″ above the bottom of the north culvert, which corresponds to the mid summer lake level of 2003. Carried. Members are asked to discuss this suggestion with their own road associations so perhaps a more firmer statement could be made at the Annual Meeting in September.

Hazard Markers

Martyn noted that Lorne had given him 2 outdated propane tanks and that he had picked up another two. The meeting thought that poly or nylon rope could be used for anchorage to rocks or concrete blocks. Lorne offered a can of fluorescent orange spray paint and Dave offered some rust primer if it were needed. Martyn offered to paint the tanks. Lorne, Dave and Martyn will set them. Martyn is getting an estimate on day marker signs for a future meeting.

History

7. Bill reported that this work is progressing. It is a long term goal.

Water Quality

8. Lorne reported that he had built a secchi disk for measuring water clarity. He will take and record readings throughout the year when the lake is open. We have readings which have been done every five years as a general base. Lorne brought up the subject of the silt at the eastern end. He did not find bottom at the 7′ length of his kayak paddle. Martyn said that he thought it was around 15′ which was found when someone tried to recover a lost motor. Lorne would like to do a core sample to determine the composition of the silt. Several suggestions were made.

Mineral Rights

9. Nil report from Terry.

Commercial Development

10. Nil report from Rhodena.

Other Business

11. Bill will check out the cost of meeting halls in Watsons Corners and McDonalds Corners for our proposed annual meeting on September 5.
12. The date for the next meeting was set for Sunday June 13, 2004 at 2:00 PM. The meeting will be hosted by Bill at 483 Porcupine Way.