Black Lake Property Owners’ Association Newsletter

With summer a distant memory, I’m sure every-one has been kept busy taking out boats/docks and prepping for the cold weather ahead. Thanks to all who par-ticipated in this year’s Annual General Meeting (AGM)... you helped make it a great success! Our guest speakers were all informative, the coffee was hot and the socializing fun. One AGM “take-away” for the BLPOA executive was to complete further re-search into the merits of engaging in a State of the Lake report. Before investing in what would be a considerable amount of time, effort and potentially BLPOA funding, we want to as-sess the tangible bene-fits of completing this type of report.

An unfortunate develop-ment over the past num-ber of months has been

the increase in the pres-ence of zebra mussels throughout the lake. As we learned at the AGM, Black Lake is on the bor-derline in terms of water calcium content required to sustain zebra mussel life (21 mg/litre). For this reason, we remain hopeful the zebra mus-sel “count” will continue to be on the low side. Bottom line... there is no scientific way to predict a growth (or decline) in the zebra mussel popu-lation at Black Lake. Let’s keep our fingers crossed!

If all goes according to plan, next summer you will see a number of brightly coloured buoys in various locations around the lake. BLPOA volunteers have offered to survey the lake and mark boating (rock) haz-ards with marine buoys. This will certainly be an improvement over what

I’ve seen used in the past to mark boating hazards, i.e. plastic containers, milk jugs and, one year, empty propane tanks! As you can appreciate, this undertaking will be on a “best efforts” basis in terms of identifying ar-eas in the lake that are dangerous to boating activity. No doubt we will miss marking a number of boating haz-ards so, as always, you need to continue to use caution/judgement when boating around the lake!

I hope it’s been another terrific summer with family and friends...wishing every-one a great winter (even those “so and so’s” who travel south)!

Bob Everett

Message from the President...

Fall 2010 Issue

Message from the President 1

Financial Report 2

Black lake Flotilla 3

Useful Phone Numbers 4

Weed control 4

FIRE! FIRE! 4

Green Flashing Light 5

Water Test Results 6

Know Your Neighbours 7

AGM Highlights 7

Family Golf Day 8

Black Lake Contact Numbers 9

Water Levels & Precipation 9

Lake Networking Group 10

Black Lake Gear 10

BBD&E Fire Department Thanks 12

BLPOA Mission Statement 3

Inside this issue:

Executive Committee President Bob Everett rzeverett@sympatico.ca Vice President Greg Hallam greg@summitsecurity.ca

Secretary/Treasurer Philip Dudgeon pdudgeon@magma.ca

Membership/Communication Jonathan Hooper J.hooper@bell.net Directors at Large Neris Allan nerisallan@gmail.com Cal Kirkpatrick ckirkpatrick@colonnade-dev.com Betty McNichol bmax@ripnet.com Sue Matte runningduck101@msn.com Carol Williams carolandpete@shaw.ca (Newsletter editor)

Black Lake Property Owners’ Association 42nd Annual General Meeting July 9, 2011, 9:30 am,

North Burgess Hall, 4174 Narrows Lock Rd.

Financial Report

Page 2 Fa l l 2010 Issue

Black Lake Property Owner's AssociationIncome Statement

for the eight months ended October 31, 2010

YTD Dec 31/09Actuals Actuals Variance %

RevenuePaid Memberships (2010 = 75, 2009 = 85) 1,875 2,205 (330) -15.0%Donations 40 - 40 -Newsletter Advertising 25 25 - 0.0%Clothing 130 643 (513) -79.8%Bank Interest 0 2 (2) -98.8%AGM 50/50 Draw 52 75 (23) -30.2%

2,122 2,949 (827) -28.0%

ExpensesWater Testing - 400 (400) -100.0%Donations 150 308 (158) -51.2%Newsletters 266 433 (167) -38.5%Annual General Meeting 131 130 1 1.2%Clothing 116 582 (466) -80.0%Postage 137 375 (239) -63.6%Printing & Supplies 96 431 (335) -77.7%Bank fees & Charges 28 38 (10) -26.3%

924 2,696 (1,772) -65.7%

Net Income (Loss) for the period 1,198 253 945 373.8%

Balance Sheetas at October 31, 2010

Current Dec 31/09Position Actuals Variance %

Cash 2,815 5,444 (2,630) -48.3%Investment (current value) 10,696 6,696 4,000 59.7%Accounts Receivable - 27 (27) -100.0%Black Lake Clothing 284 229 55 124.0%

Total Assets 13,795 12,397 1,398 11.3%

Accounts Payable - - - -Unearned Membership Fees 350 150 200 133.3%Unrealized Gain / (Loss) on Investment 2,149 2,149 - 0.0%

2,499 2,299 200 8.7%

Members EquityOpening 10,098 9,845 253 2.6%Net income (Loss) for the year 1,198 253 945 373.8%Closing 11,296 10,098 1,198 11.9%

-Total Liabilities 13,795 12,397 1,398 11.3%

Fa l l 2010 Issue

BLPOA Mission & Objectives

On July 1st, several Black Lake boats joined the Canada Day flotilla to celebrate our national holiday. Red and white were the colours of the day as partici-pants flew flags and dressed for the occasion.

Mark Your Calendar!

Annual General Meeting Saturday, July 9, 2011, 9:30 am,

North Burgess Hall, 4174 Narrows Lock

Page 3

July 1st Black Lake Flotilla

Put your ad here!

For $25 you can reach everyone

on the lake!

As stated in the BLPOA Constitution, the Mission of the Association is to identify and maintain an interest in the issues of broad-based concern that may impact the value of owning property abutting Black Lake while at the same time promoting or undertaking activities that will help fostera community spirit. The objectives of the Association are: ♦ To represent all Black Lake Property Owners. ♦ To help preserve and/or enhance the quality of life

for all residents of Black Lake by providing a forum to collectively discuss and, if possible, resolve is-sues of common concern.

♦ To provide a unified voice in all matters pertaining to and directly affecting Black Lake’s water, shore-line, watershed and adjacent lands. Issues of on-going interest include, but are not limited to: health of the environment; crime prevention; fire safety; road maintenance; safety in/on the water; noise/light pollution; and, development activity.

♦ To monitor the activity of and liaise with the Town-ship of Tay Valley, the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority, government agencies and other lake associations, as appropriate to identify and/or com-ment on the potential impact of an issue or initia-tive on Association members.

♦ To initiate and/or support activities that will facili-tate members getting to know their neighbours and develop a sense of community.

Meeting our Objectives ♦ The BLPOA executive represents property owners

and liaises with groups such as the Lake Network-ing Group, with the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority, and the Tay Valley Township. These contacts lead to regular water testing, shoreline enhancement programs, and speakers at the AGM.

♦ The executive has provided a unified voice for issues such as the Mining Act.

♦ The AGM and the BLPOA Newsletter provide forums to collectively discuss issues of common concern.

♦ The annual golf game, the “Know Your Neighbour” column in the newsletter, and the July 1st flotilla are examples of efforts to develop a sense of community.

Page 4 Fa l l 2010 Issue

Useful Phone Numbers

Environmentally Friendly Weed Control

911 for emergency 1-888-310-1122 OPP 24 hour toll free 1-800-222 TIPS (8477) Crime Stoppers Website: http://www.mississippitaycrimestoppers.ca/ 1-800-268-4686 MTO Road Information 1-866-514-2327 Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) bear reporting centre Website: http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/Bearwise/index.html 1-888-495-8501 Phone Busters (to report fraud scans/ helpful tips to protect yourself) Website: http://www.phonebusters.com/ 1-800-TIPS MNR (847-7667) — MNR enforcement Website: http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/Enforcement/index.html 613-267-2626 Provincial Constable Paige Whiting—Community Services Officer, Lanark County

Here is a recipe for a mix of readily available house-hold items that will control those weeds/grasses that grow in around patio stones or along the driveway. I have even used it to wipe out a patch of poison ivy!! One-gallon vinegar (5% acetic acid) One-cup salt One-tablespoon dish soap (phosphate free!!) Mix well, spray on in full sun. Try it – it really works well. Betty McNichol

Sunday the long weekend in August was very exciting here on Black Lake Rte 2. A neighbour was washing his truck when he noticed smoke and flames billowing up, on the hill, behind our houses/cottages! He imme-diately called 911 and the BB&D firemen and trucks responded within 10 minutes. It took 8 firemen and 2 pumper trucks 4 ½ hours to control the blaze. The brush fire was on Paul and Jean McShane’s prop-erty; between the North Shore and Rte 2 roads. Ap-proximately 2 acres were burnt. Thankfully none of their cattle were injured and the wind was blowing away from the houses. They found a fire-pit with the stones on the pit still hot. This was the source of the fire, which then spread through tree roots. Beer bottles and pop cans were scattered about. Neighbours across the lake on Loonie Lane also saw the smoke and flames; they called to alert us and called 911 (yeh neighborhood watch). The fire-chief believed someone had been camping back there (mostly swamp!!). The OPP are investigating. Betty McNichol

FIRE! FIRE!

Fal l 2010 Issue

nate the firefighter's use of the light The Ontario Highway Traffic Act states: 62.(16) A firefighter, within the meaning of subsection 1 (1) of the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997, may carry on or in his or her vehicle a lamp that produces intermittent flashes of green light and may operate the light if the motor vehicle is proceeding to a fire or other emergency. 1997, c. 4, s. 81. Likewise, the Act has this to say about others using the Green Light: 62.(16.1) No person other than a person described in subsection (16) shall operate a lamp that produces inter-mittent flashes of green light. 1994, c. 35, s. 1. If you see a vehicle with the tell-tale flashing green light activated, you now know it's one of us, on our way to help one of our neighbors. Remember, the home we're rushing to save, or life we're going to rescue, could be yours, or a close friends. Please let us by! Greg Hallam Reprinted from BLPOA Newsletter, Spring 2008

Page 5

The Green Flashing Light All drivers in Ontario are familiar with the emer-gency red flashing lights and sirens on police cars, ambulances and fire trucks, and know that they are required by law to pull to the right and stop when they see or hear them coming. But not everyone is aware of the Volunteer Firefighter's Green Flash-ing Light. In a large city, emergency vehicles are manned by full-time personnel, who use the red lights and si-rens to get through traffic to the scene of an emer-gency in a hurry. Seconds count in a fire or rescue situation, and time lost enroute from traffic conges-tion can make the difference. For those of us in rural and smaller urban areas, we receive our fire protection from volunteers, who often respond to emergencies in their own private vehicles. These vehicles are not equipped with red lights or sirens that make them stand out from any other vehicle on the road. When the call for help comes in, our personnel may be at their regular job, at the beach with the family or sleeping in the middle of the night. They drop what they are doing and immediately respond to the fire hall to drive the fire trucks to the emer-gency scene. Once the trucks have rolled, those that did not make it to the hall will continue to the emergency in their personal vehicle. The problem previously existed that regular traffic did not know that an emergency exists and unknowingly held up firefighters hurrying to the call or to the hall to get the fire trucks on the way. To help the public identify these firefighters re-sponding in their own vehicles, the Ministry of Transportation amended the Highway Traffic Act to allow volunteer firefighters responding to emergen-cies to use a light that flashed green. Gravenhurst Firefighters were one of the first departments to adopt the use of the light in the province. The Green Light gives the firefighters no special privileges when responding to an emergency. It is used only as an identifier to the drivers of other vehicles so that they may give up their right-of-way and allow the firefighter to get to the emergency unimpeded. The use of the light is controlled by the Fire Chief, who has the authority to allow or termi-

Page 6 Fa l l 2010 Issue

Mark Your Calendar!

Annual General Meeting Saturday, July 9, 2011, 9:30 am,

North Burgess Hall, 4174 Narrows Lock Road

X

and we did sample for zebra mussels earlier in the sea-son. I have not yet received those results, which would tell us if the larva were also present earlier in the sum-mer. With any luck a population will not be able to es-tablish, however it is something we (and I’m sure all lake residents) will keep a watch on next year. * 2010 results will most likely be available January 2011 for publication in the spring BLPOA Newsletter.

* Unfortunately, many Black residents discovered zebra mussels while removing boats and docks this fall, 2010. While it is still wise to scrape these off, no doubt we can assume that zebra mussels have established themselves in our lake.

Black Lake Water Test Results 2009 Message from Sarah MacLeod, Resource Technician, Rideau Valley Conservation Authority, January 2010. The average total phosphorus (TP) in the past few years has been on a decline averaging out at 12 µg/L (2006-2008). This year was no exception with the av-erage TP measuring 9 µg/L, with one sample exceed-ing the Provincial Water Quality Objective (PWQO) of 20 µg/L. Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN) showed a slight increase with 2006-2008 concentrations averag-ing 406 µg/L and 420 µg/L as 2009’s average concen-tration. This slight increase should be of no significant concern, no samples were elevated above the PWQO and this season’s heavy rain may likely be to blame having increased sediment runoff potentially bringing more nutrients into the lake. E. coli and calcium con-centrations remained largely unchanged. I know that in the early fall zebra mussels were found in the lake

LAKE LAKE CODE PARAMETER

TOTAL # OF SAM-PLES

MAXI-MUM

MINI-MUM

AVER-AGE

ME-DIAN

# SAM-PLES > STAN-DARD

% SAM-PLES > STAN-DARD

STAN-DARD

Black Lake RVL-

11 E.COLI

(cfu/100 mL) 234 200 0 9 2 2 1% 100 sample period: 2002 - present TKN (µg/L) 272 800 330 487 490 107 39% 500 TP (µg/L) 272 55 7 14 13 20 7% 20 Ca (mg/L) 20 23 19 21 22 14 70% 20

Secchi depth

(m) 35 8.3 2.5 4.8 4.8 0 0% 2

2009 E.COLI

(cfu/100 mL) 10 88 2 3 13 0 0% 100 TKN (µg/L) 14 500 400 420 435 0 0% 500 TP (µg/L) 14 22 8 9 11 1 7% 20 Ca (mg/L) 6 22 21 22 22 6 100% 20

Secchi depth

(m) 3 5.5 2.5 4.5 5.5 0 0% 2

Page 7 Fa l l 2010 Issue

Down at the dock on a summer evening by chance you might see a boat, with an electric trolling motor, slip quietly by with a golden retriever dog in the bow. It is most likely Frank DuCross and his dog Ruff out for an evening of fishing. An avid outdoorsman all his life, Frank fishes in the summer, hunts in the fall and skis in the winter. On family property in Maxville he hunts deer, duck, and geese with a bow, a muzzle loading (black powder) gun or shotgun as the seasons allow. Up until last year he skied Tupper, White Face, Gore and Titus hills; as Frank, now 84, puts it “all my ski buddies have died or gotten too old to ski”!!! Frank has fished for over 70 years. His first trips started in 1939 with his Uncle Jimmy in who took him up to Lac Kiamika and Lac Marquis in the Laurentians to fish trout. His wife and three boys shared his love for the outdoors; holidays always included fishing, hunting and skiing. Fishing brought him to Black Lake. His plan was to have a place here to fish in the summer and set out to ski in the winter. In 1992 he bought property on the north shore building a four-season home. Eventually the travel distance in the winter to ski was tiring. So in 1997 he again built but this time a small cottage on adjoining property with space for a summer garden, a dock for his boat and a garage to store his boat. In summer a large screen covers the garage door – a welcome sign for neighbours to drop in for coffee. Frank keeps accurate records of where, with what, and how many fish he has caught in the lake. He of course would not reveal “the where” or lures used but offered his records as to the catch. Pickerel, pike, large and small mouth bass, perch and crappies all land in his boat over a season fishing. Crappies are his favourite and ours as he keeps his neighbours supplied with fish – they come cleaned and frozen in one-meal amounts! He has a small building to the side of the cottage for cleaning, filleting, weighing and labeling his catch. Here are some examples of his recorded catch:

1995 -- 241 crappies, 35 bass, and 35 pickerel 2000 -- 700 crappie, 31 bass, and 13 pickerel

2009 -- 143 crappie, 64 bass, and 40 pickerel He finds pickerel fishing “boring” enjoying the “fight” of bass and crappies much more.

An Osprey at the northeast end of the lake often fol-lows his boat, slowly circling on updrafts, patiently waiting for Frank to throw out unwanted rock bass. The bird then torpedoes down to pick up an easy meal! It is enjoyable to sit on a warm sunny afternoon in Frank’s large screened garage, with an instant coffee listening to stories of the previous days catch or stories of the bow hunt up in Maxville. Frank is a great story-teller, a generous friend and a good neighbour. Betty McNicol

Getting to Know Your Black Lake Neighbours

BLPOA AGM—Highlights This year’s AGM, held July 10th, was packed with information for residents. Guest speakers from the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority and Tay Valley Township provided: ♦ An update on the status of the Mining Act and it’s

impact on Black Lake (Deputy Reeve, Susan Freeman)

♦ Information on zebra mussels and their presence in Black Lake (Sarah MacLeod, RVCA)

♦ Suggestions for enhancing and protecting our shorelines (Andrea Klymko, RVCA)

Residents spoke to various issues, including the septic system reviews being conducted by RVCA. Be sure to attend the Black Lake 2011 AGM which will be held Saturday July 9, 2011 at Burgess Hall on Narrows Lock Road.

Page 8 Fa l l 2010 Issue

Black Lake Family Golf Day

Mark Your Calendar!

Annual General Meeting Saturday, July 9, 2011, 9:30 am

North Burgess Hall, Narrows Lock Road

X

Professional Maid Services

♦ House and cottage cleaning ♦ House and pet sitting ♦ Senior’s helper ♦ Customized services available ( e.g.

shopping)

Call Dianne at 613-264-9661

The Black Lake Family Golf tournament on August 19th was a real success. Despite a small turnout (about the same as last year), a good day was head by all. Several people from the club noticed the Black Lake shirts added a nice touch and were noticed by several people from the golf club. Bob McNichol. Bob McNichol

Page 9 Fa l l 2010 Issue

Black Lake Contact Persons Black Lake Road Tony and Jean Nichols

Jane and Grant O’Connor

Peninsula Drive Jaakkimainen

Homestead Lane and Neighbours Jonathon Hooper

Starhill Road George and Rosalee Fedak Keith and Nancy Walsh

Black Lake Route 11A Monica Robidoux

Tom’s Rock Bob Pelletier

Black Lake North Shore and Sunderland Lane Sue Matte

West Bay Drive Caroly Gilchrist

Black Lake Route 2 Betty McNichol

Black Lake Route 11 Gail and Rick Lillico

Black Lake Route 11C Patricia McCourt

Lake View Brian and Nancy McGlade

Hands Bay Judy Hands

Hands Drive Bonnie Monker

Loonie Lane Raymond Faith

Birch Grove Brent Rutherford

Island View Bill Hughes

Water Levels and Precipitation We started measuring lake levels and precipitation this year on April 21st when it was 139.27 meters above sea level. On Oct. 2nd, it was 139.452 metres and the highest level recorded this year was on June 29th, at 139.525 meters above sea level.

As of Oct. 2nd we had 458.9 mls of rain; the greatest rainfall we measured, 44 mls, was on Aug. 9th. We had in April 5 mls, May 62 mls, June 130 mls, July 14.9 mls, Aug. 123 mls, Sept. 124 mls.

Each morning around 6 am Bob and Reza meander down to the dock, check out the view and take the water readings. At the end of the month they send the information to Andrea Larson at RVCA. The wa-ter readings are for this particular station and may not reflect what is happening at the other end of the lake. This is Andrea’s reply to my question of, “why

do we record?” The data can be used for a variety of projects which can include ♦ monitoring flood and drought events, ♦ monitoring water supply for lake operations and

navigation through the whole Rideau watershed, and

♦ documenting rare events. Andrea goes on to say the water quality analysis done by RVCA in our lake, tests for contaminant loadings, and supports land use planning and fish habitat assessment. The data supplies a baseline for changes throughout the lake. Betty McNichol

Page 10 Fa l l 2010 Issue

Lake Networking Group The Lake Net Working Group meets twice a year to share information relating to our lakes. At the last meeting in August, there were more than 12 lakes rep-resented plus representatives from RVCA, MVCA, Rideau Canal Museum, and Rideau Environmental Action Committee. Mike Yee, from RVCA, spoke of the algae monitoring program run by Patrick Larson. There was a great in-crease in algae growth this summer in most lakes (the result of zebra mussels, hot weather, nitrogen & phos-phate). Chantelle Vries runs a lab in Cornwall testing all samples submitted to identify the species. This October Mike will work with the Ministry of Fisher-ies to do an “eel survey”. He asked lake representa-tives present if there were eels in their lake; it is thought the eel population in this area has dropped to 1000!! Using “electrofishing” at night they will attempt to identify the eel population in four local lakes. Eels have a fifteen-year life span; they return to the Sar-gasso Sea (in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean) to spawn. (The reverse of salmon, they breed in salt wa-ter and live in fresh water). Andrea Klymko of RVCA continues to offer bare root-stock for shoreline planting for individual or group lake residents. She will also do a workshop: call her at 1 800 267 2504 ext 1173

Lakes present gave updates on association activities. Some interesting items: ♦ Pike Lake is gathering resident historical stories,

compiling them into a book to be published next year; this is part of their lake management plan.

♦ Adam Lake and 14 Island Mink Lake have pub-lished their Lake Plans.

♦ Otty and Pike Lakes reported a heavy algae bloom this year.

Betty McNichol

Black Lake Gear

Are you looking for a great idea for Christmas gifts? Consider buying a T-shirt or golf shirt or “hoodie” or ball cap with the Black Lake logo. The products are well priced, tastefully designed, and good quality. We deal with Prodecal (www.prodecal.ca), a local printing business in Perth. You are welcome to “shop” their site or peruse the store. Place your order with us as the larger the order the lower price. Our present stock includes: ♦ golf hats - $12.00 ♦ a man’s large black/gray golf shirt - $ 35.00 ♦ 3 ladies golf shirts – medium –1 blue & white 2

black & white - $35.00 ♦ a selection of T shirts - $15.00. Call Betty 613-264-1507 or bmax@ripnet.com

Page 11 Fa l l 2010 Issue

Thanks to…... ♦ Betty McNichol for all her contributions to the newsletter, in particular, her “Know Your Black Lake

Neighbours” column. ♦ Bob McNichol for organizing the Black Lake Golf Day. ♦ Bob Everett for his leadership as President of the association, and for arranging interesting, informative

speakers at our AGM.

Congratulations to…… ♦ Greg Hallam, new Burgess Ward Councillor, Tay Valley Township Carol Williams

BLACK LAKE PROPERTY OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION — 2011 MEMBERSHIP FORM

Name: __________________________________________ Black Lake Phone Number: ____-____-__________ Black Lake Property Address: __________________________________________________________________ Mailing Address (if different than above): _________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ Email Address: _______________________________ Home Phone Number: ____-____-_____________ I’d prefer to receive the Newsletter via: □ Canada Post or □ Email Please mail the bottom half of this form along with payment of $25.00 made payable to:

Black Lake Property Owner’s Association, P.O. Box 20006, Perth, Ontario, K7H 3M6

Page 12 Fa l l 2010 Issue

BLPOA Donation to BBD&E Fire Department The Black Lake Property Owners Association donated, once again, $150 to the BBD&E (Bathhurst, Burgess, Drummond & Elmsley) Fire Department. Their quick response to the fire (see FIRE!FIRE! article on page 4 of the newsletter), demonstrates their importance to our lake community. We received the following acknowledgement from BBD&E Fire Department.