NewsFlash

February 14, 2025

LOBA Winter Town Hall Meeting Report

On January 25, over 60 LOBA members and directors, representatives from other lake associations, and elected local officials met at Bethune United Church in Baysville for the LOBA Town Hall meeting.

LOBA President Paul Gleeson started off the meeting with an overview of LOBA's work in each of our five Strategic Initiatives identified in the 2024-2029 Strategic Plan. This was followed by greetings and updates from District Chair Jeff Lehman, Town of Huntsville Mayor Nancy Alcock and Township of Lake of Bays Mayor Terry Glover. You can read overviews of their presentations in our upcoming Spring Current Connection, arriving in your inbox soon.

Everyone learned a great deal from our keynote speakers from Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare -- Board Chair Dave Uffelmann and Vice President, Corporate Services and Chief Financial Officer Alasdair Smith. You can see their presentation slides here, and watch the MAHC video -- Vision for Made-in-Muskoka Healthcare. Keep up to date on Made-in-Muskoka Healthcare on the MAHC Microsite.

Discussions continued over a delicious lunch prepared by Bethune's United Church Women group.

Thanks to all who attended!

From the Township of Lake of Bays:

Council Repeals Roads License Agreement By-law - Following a period of public consultation and feedback, the Township of Lake of Bays Council repealed the Roads License Agreement (RLA) By-law on February 11, 2025. At the same meeting, Council adopted a new Unassumed Road Improvement By-law focusing on procedures and policies for those who want to build new driveways or access roads on municipal land.

What This Means for Residents

The repeal of the RLA program and the adoption of the Unassumed Road Improvement By-law means:

• Existing driveways and roads on municipal road allowance or township-owned property as well as those previously approved in Plans of Subdivision will no longer require an agreement.
• New driveways or access roads using municipal road allowances or other township-owned property will require an agreement to make improvements under the new terms of the Unassumed Road Improvement Agreement By-law.

Road Purchasing Program

With the repeal of the Roads License Agreement (RLA) program, Township staff are also reviewing necessary changes to the Road Purchasing Program. Staff will present a report at an upcoming Council meeting outlining proposed updates to the policy and procedures. To allow sufficient time for this review, a new moratorium specifically for the Road Purchasing Program has been issued for an additional 60 days.

Next Steps

A letter will be sent to those who were originally notified about the need for an agreement, providing updated information regarding the changes. Residents are encouraged to visit LakeofBays.on.ca/RLA for further information. Township staff are also available to answer questions or receive further feedback at engage@lakeofbays.on.ca.

Relevant Documents

• Report for February 11, 2025 Meeting: Future of the Roads Licence Agreement Program 
• By-law 2025-033 Unassumed Road Improvement Policy

For more information, contact: engage@lakeofbays.on.ca

LOBA Involvement

LOBA representatives met with Township staff and elected officials and lobbied on behalf of our members on this issue. Read LOBA's January 13 letter to the Township in response to the Future of the Roads License Agreement Program report.

Township Approves 2025 Budget - At a Special Council Meeting on January 28, 2025, the Township of Lake of Bays Council approved the 2025 Operating and Capital Budget.

For 2025, the tax rate increase is set at 5.99%, following several Council deliberations that successfully reduced the initial proposed increase by 2%. As a result, property owners will pay an additional $12.72 for every $100,000 of assessed property value. The increase this year addresses deferred infrastructure and service needs that have accumulated over the past decade.

To balance the 2025 operating and capital budget, Council approved $4,061,108 in debt financing and transferred $2,149,087 from reserves. An earlier financial and asset management review in December of 2023 confirmed the Township’s strong financial position to manage and incur new debt. With decreasing interest rates from the Bank of Canada, the timing for borrowing allows the Township to tackle important projects, keep reserves for future needs, and deliver an affordable budget for Lake of Bays residents.

The approved budget focuses on public safety enhancements, infrastructure improvements, and upgrades to community spaces. Notable investments include:

• Fire Services: A pumper truck ($650,000) and extrication tools for Baysville ($70,000).
• Roads and Infrastructure: $2.2 million for road construction and upgrades, with a placeholder allocation for a joint project with the District of Muskoka to upgrade the entrance to Baysville via Muskoka Road 117 (final costs and external funding still to be confirmed).
• Community Facilities: $1.7 million for the renovation of the Dwight Community Centre and Library over the next two years, $250,000 for Glenmount Dock improvements, and $90,000 for a chair lift at the Port Cunnington Community/Seniors Centre.

For a complete breakdown of the 2025 operating and capital budget, go to LakeofBays.on.ca/Budget.

LOBA Involvement

Volunteers from the LOBA Planning Development and Government Relations Team reviewed the budget and submitted two letters of comment.

• Read the 2024-12-20 LOBA letter of comment on the 2025 Township budget
• Read the 2025-01-27 LOBA letter of comment on the 2025 Township budget

From the District of Muskoka:

DISTRICT PASSES FIRST MULTI-YEAR BUDGET: Read more at MuskokaRegion.com>

MUSKOKA'S $2.46-MILLION RECYCLING REDUCTION EXPLAINED: Read more at MuskokaRegion.com>

BETWEEN 2 PINES: Read the January Newsletter>

Keep up to date with all the Muskoka Watershed Council publications and articles:

Check out the MWC Watershed Blog>

Sign up to receive their Downstream Newsletter and check out the Archive>



Winter Festivals

Support your Local Community - and Have Fun!

Baysville Winterfest

February 17 (Family Day)

Click here for details

Huntsville Snowfest

Weekends through to the end of February Click here for details

Dorset Snowball and Winter Carnival

February 14 and 15

Click here for details



Summer Job Opportunities in Lake of Bays

The Lake of Bays Tennis Club is hiring for summer camp staff. You do not need to be a member of the club to be hired. Please send a cover letter and resume that includes: 

• Current tennis (OTA) certification (or details of intended courses), OTA level 1 preferred.
• Current first aid and lifesaving certification (or plans to certify), Bronze Cross requested.
• Any prior experience at LBTC (as participant or instructor).
• Leadership, organizational or personal attributes and strengths

Please submit to Caroline Mandell (cgibbings@gmail.com) and Aly Tsourounis (atsourounis@gmail.com) by February 28, 2025. Applicants will be contacted for an interview after that date. Contracts and/or job offers will be confirmed in March.

Lumina Resort if looking for summer staff. Full and part-time positions available. Competitive wages and meals provided.

Join the team at Lumina and make memories that will last a lifetime.

Click here for more details.

Please send resume to info@luminaresort.com.

Do you have family or friends who would like to keep up to date with LOBA NewsFlashes?

Direct them to the LOBA Homepage

and click the E-NEWS button on the right of the page

photo by Michael Lennard

2023 photo contest submission

Through education, advocacy and engagement, our mission is to foster a

healthy natural environment, responsible waterfront development, a thriving community, and a Lake of Bays shared respectfully and safely by all.