Home >
Who We Are>
General Meetings > GM June 2003
BLUEWATER SHORELINE RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION
Minutes of the General Meeting
Saturday,
June 21, 2003
________________________________________________________________________________________
1.
President, Bob Campbell, called
the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m., and introduced the BSRA Executive. Bob
expressed the gratitude of the Executive for the work done by Jean Irvin who is
leaving the position of Secretary and welcomed Melodie Northey who assumed the
position of Secretary as of May 10, 2003.
2.
Minutes of the Annual Meeting - September 14/02
Moved by Melodie Northey,
seconded by Jack Johnston (Antoinette’s Lane Association) that the minutes of
the Annual meeting of September 14, 2002 be adopted as
circulated. Carried
3.
Bluewater Community Development Foundation
Prior to introducing the representative from Bluewater Community Development
Foundation, Bob Campbell recapped the following:
q the history of events leading to the Zurich Arena replacement and the position held by BSRA
q Bluewater Council approved with a 5-4 vote that the differential cost of the new facility would be born by taxpayers of Zurich and Hay Ward
q the question of the arena payment was re-opened in council, but turned down
q Council has been conscientious in assuring the cost be kept in line with the original budget.
q the levy to Zurich and Hay Ward is based, not by assessment, nor by residence, but by property
q the Bluewater Community Development Foundation (BCDF) has a broader function than the arena issue.
Rick Bedard, a board member of BCDF was introduced to speak to the membership as
David Poole was unable to attend as planned. Also in attendance was Don Beauchamp, President of the Bluewater Community Foundation, a non-profit, registered charity raising funds for projects of special interest groups within the Municipality of Bluewater.
In describing why the Bluewater Community Development Foundation was created, Mr. Bedard explained that the amalgamation to the Municipality of Bluewater increased the level of fiscal responsibility. He stated that small rural communities don’t have a high level of industry and business to support with tax dollars the increased demand in community needs.
A volunteer board of directors runs the Foundation, presently with representatives from Stanley, Hay and Zurich. A contact list was made available to attendees interested in volunteering for the Foundation’s campaign, and all were encouraged to invest in the future of Bluewater by investing in the Foundation and it’s projects.
Bluewater Community Development Foundation activities:
q Provide endowment funds, which can be applied for by groups like the BSRA as long as they fit the guidelines, set by the BCDF.
Minutes of BSRA General
Meeting – June 21, 2003 2
q Funds donated by community individuals, businesses, corporations to the Foundation may be cash, securities or gifts of kind.
q Apply for funding grants through government and private foundations.
q Arrange for major events and entertainment to raise dollars for special interest groups.
q Provide guidance to and cooperate with special interest groups such as BSRA
q Present goal of Citizens’ Action Group (over 200 volunteers) is to raise $500,000.00 towards the cost of the new Bluewater Community Centre/Arena in Zurich as part of the agreement to receive a Government grant for $1,315, 512.00. Construction to begin in July 2003 and completion December 2003. Norlon Builders donated back over $46,000 to the project.
Question from the audience: “What happens if the $500,000 is not raised?”
Mr. Bedard’s answer: “The BCDF feel this amount is attainable
however council deemed that the differential amount not raised will be added to
the taxes of Zurich and Hay.”
4. Executive Committee Report
a) Proposed BSRA by-law changes will be presented at the annual meeting September 16, 2003 for approval by the membership.
b) Bob Campbell reviewed the 2002-03 activities and initiatives of the BSRA.
q Reserve fund established in the amount of $35,000.00 last fall to support legal to apply to the OMB.
q 1134 signatures on a petition to Council supporting shoreline ward resulted in two new wards, Stanley West and Hay West with council representation from each.
q Vote by mail was confirmed for the 2003 election
q Establishment of a road maintenance grant of $1900.00/ kilometer.
q Established six committees: Member Services; Roads; Communications (Web-site); Political Action; Economic Development; and Environment.
q Letters to Council have received good recognition and for the most part, acted upon.
c) The reserve fund was established to ‘protect the interest of the shoreline residents’ to finance legal action and political support. To date, these funds have provided the legal action related to the creation of shoreline wards and mail– in vote issues. These funds will assist in supporting the endorsement of candidates to represent the best interests of the shoreline citizens on Council. Bob Worthy reported that a full detailed report of the Reserve Fund will be presented at the Annual meeting September 16,2003. There is presently $20,000.remaining in the reserve fund, secured in two term deposits. There are 45 of the 53 Associations that have paid their annual dues to BSRA to date.
d) Treasurer’s report was presented by Bob Worthy.
e) Membership report presented by Jim Chapman
Minutes of BSRA General
Meeting – June 21, 2003 3
5. Roads Issues:
2003 Municipal Road Grant
a) Municipality of Bluewater: Associations should check with Ross Fisher at the Bluewater Municipal office for their official road measurement to be covered under the road grant program. Terri Brandon, treasurer of the Municipality of Bluewater will be handling the collection of receipts and the issuing of road grant money. Council ( Bluewater) has stipulated that one criteria for the road grant program requires associations to remove their ”Private” or ‘No Trespassing” signs. This requirement is in no way intended as an indication that Council wants to eventually assume or take over Association roads.
Roads Policy “ Road Standards”
Council will be establishing specific road standards for the future. BSRA recommends that Associations follow council’s criteria for the road grant.
Road Issues:
b) BSRA Roads Services Committee
Don Brazier reported;
- a list of businesses wanting to provide service to Bluewater Shoreline residents is now posted on the web-site as well as hard copies available. These are only suggested companies.
- to receive road grants there must be a formal association in place, apply to the Municipality of Bluewater by August 15, 2003. All submissions of work done must be reported by November 30, 2003.
- Jim Alexander of Diamond Environment has requested that Associations wanting snow removal should contact him by September 15, 2003 to be registered for the winter months of 2003-04.
- Insurance coverage is not part of the road grant program.
A comment was made that tree removal/ cutting should be included in the road grant.
6.
Communications
Reported by Jim Chapman:
a) BSRA Website (www.bsra.ca) includes a calendar of events, updated news items, information and lists of services as well as links to local newspapers, and the Municipality of Bluewater.
b) Shoreline Directory: Jim Chapman introduced Harlie Johnston who has been instrumental in establishing our web-site and continues to contribute to the member communication committee. Associations will be receiving a package to compile a list of their resident’s names, mailing addresses and phone numbers to create a Shoreline Directory.
c) Newsletter editor Doug Banks reported the newsletter has been in operation for 13 years and is a great means of contact for those who don’t have e-mail access.
Minutes of BSRA General
Meeting – June 21, 2003 4
7. 2003
Municipal Election
Political Action Committee co-chaired by John Gillespie and Bob Campbell will:
- focus on the November municipal election.
- insure representation at every Bluewater council meeting.
- try to ensure that every registered shoreline resident votes by mail in the November 2003 municipal election.
- have a member of the BSRA executive, upon request, attend and speak at as many Association general meetings as possible. To date, 20 Associations have requested an Executive attend.
- assess each candidate and then the BSRA Executive will communicate recommendations as to appropriate candidates to all shoreline residents.
q
Anyone wishing to run for Councilor in Stanley -West or Hay -West
should contact a BSRA executive.
q
BSRA will be using some of the reserve fund to support candidates in
Stanley West and Hay West wards.
q
BSRA are recruiting volunteers to help from September to November with
the 2003 municipal election.
8.
Environmental Issues
Doug Banks reported the committee will be working on specific short term goals as well as long term goals. They will be working with other agencies and committees to achieve these goals and make recommendations for political action. John Gillespie reported on the water-testing program that St. Joseph Shores Association has conducted for the past five years. Weekly tests will be taken this year in June July and August. Reports from last year indicated that 60% of the time, the water tested were over the safe limit.
Motion:
Moved by Doug Banks that the water testing program presently being done at St.
Joseph be expanded to include the rest of the Bluewater shoreline and that this
be funded by the BSRA reserve fund up to $2000.00. Seconded by Susan Nyenhuis.
Discussion following the motion:
It was stated that BSRA should be looking into the Trillium Foundation for funding. Doug Banks replied that this will be investigated in the future.
Joe Laudenbach reported that the County Health Unit does testing along the shoreline. John Gillespie stated that the findings are determined differently than testing at St. Joseph and that the County Health Unit is unable to do testing on a regular basis.
Vote taken: carried.
236-7285.
Minutes of BSRA General
Meeting – June 21, 2003 5
c)
Lake Huron Water Quality
Joe Gleason distributed information on “the Unfortunate Condition of our Lakeshore”. Joe gave a presentation on the conditions and causes of the pollution. He reported on how these conditions have seriously affected his children. He asked that we become educated, informed, and active to stop this problem from continuing. He has posted all research, data, and information on his web-site with a draft of letters to send to politicians. The web-site addresses are www.liveinmanure.com and www.thenextwalkerton.com.
Bob Campbell reported that BSRA would continue to work on these concerns and report to the Bluewater Council all information gathered.
9 a) Economic Development committee chair John Gillespie stated that Bluewater Council is in the process of developing an official economic plan.
b) Member Services chair, Bob Worthy reported:
q that long distance phone service is still limited to plans such as ALTO but that an alternative could be using a calling card through DISTRTE TEL that allows for discontinuing use through Fall and Winter.
q Insurance rates are expected to increase at least 25%. Over half the BSRA Associations have registered with Westlake & McHugh Insurance Company in Zurich. The more associations that join the group, the lower the rates will be.
q Three local septic tank operators were reluctant to give a reduced group rate. Bob reported that if three or more residents in an Association request septic service at the same time, there is usually a discount.
q Associations are being assisted to become incorporated with a one time $325.00 fee and that being incorporated does limit your liability. There are two sample drafts of by-laws on the web-site (www.bsra.ca) that associations may use. One is for an incorporated group, the other for a simple association.
10. Other Business
1. It was suggested that “Private” signs could be replaced with “Use at Your Own Risk” signs on roads and at the top and bottom of Association’s public access stairs.
2. Mayor Bill Dowson stated that the planning department is frequently requested to re-designate areas and that the general public needs to keep informed of the regular council meetings as well as public meetings that would be deciding these changes that could affect residents.
3. Bob Campbell replied to an inquiry on spraying for mosquitoes that BSRA would look into this issue. There was a comment that the County Health Unit stated that individual owners need to maintain mosquito control on their own.
Meeting was adjourned at 12:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by
Melodie Northey, Secretary BSRA
Next meeting: BSRA Annual
Meeting, Saturday, September 6, 2003.