NewsFlash

December 13, 2024

What's Going on at LOBA?

LOBA volunteers are busy year-round keeping up-to-date and providing comments on issues of concern and interest to our members. Here are a few things they are involved in:

• LOBA has been in steady contact with the Township about the Roads License Agreement By-law and we expect to see a draft, updated by-law for public comment, in early January. The 180-day moratorium on the Roads Licensing Agreement Program will be up in mid-February.
• LOBA President Paul Gleeson is sitting on the Steering Committee for the District of Muskoka Solid Waste Master Plan which will meet throughout 2025 and present recommendations in early 2026.
• Water Quality Program Manager Kieran Molony has collated the E-coli and phosphorus results from this summer’s water quality testing program and forwarded the information to Hutchinson Environmental Services for analysis. You can expect to see the 2024 Water Quality Report in the first half of 2025. You can read previous years reports here.
• Volunteers from the Planning, Development and Government Relations (PD&GR) Team are currently monitoring and commenting on the Township of Lake of Bays 2025 Budget, which is scheduled to be ratified on Tuesday January 28, 2025.
• Members of the PD&GR Team are set to participate in discussions about the Township Official Plan Update and the District of Muskoka Resort Policy Review in 2025.
• Save the Date - Saturday January 25, 2025 is the LOBA Annual Town Hall meeting. Featuring updates from LOBA, District Chair Jeff Lehman, Township of Lake of Bays Mayor Terry Glover, Town of Huntsville Mayor Nancy Alcock, and a keynote address from Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare. Bethune United Church, Baysville.

We welcome your thoughts and comments on any of these topics.

Email us at info@loba.ca.

2024 Photo Contest Deadline is Fast Approaching!

Open to all Lake of Bays Association members and families. Photos must be previously unpublished and taken in the current year--limit of 5 per category. They must be in high-resolution, digital format and sent to info@loba.ca, subject line Lake of Bays Association photo contest. Deadline

December 31, 2024.

LIFE at the LAKE: people, pets and dwellings

NATURE: wild plants and animals

LANDSCAPE: land, water and sky

photo by Shane Baker

2023 photo contest submission

From the Federation of Ontario Cottagers' Association (FOCA):

• Bubbler Safety Considerations - In the winter, some waterfront owners install bubblers - a type of de-icing system - intended to prevent the build-up of ice at or around waterfront structures like docks and boathouses. However, before you use a bubbler, read this information sheet about important safety and legal implications. Also, check with your local municipality, as some have begun to implement bylaws that impact bubbler use. Be safe and enjoy the winter! Learn more about ice changes, ice safety, bubblers, and more on FOCA's webpage.

• 2024 FOCA Fall Seminar - On November 9, 2024 FOCA held their Fall seminar about Healthy Waterfronts. Click here for an Event Summary including links to the PDF copies of all slides shown.

• November 2024 Elert - Click here to read more about FOCA's activities.



From the Township of Lake of Bays:

• Winter Parking Ban in Effect and Driver Safety - The Township of Lake of Bays urges all drivers to prioritize safety on the roads. Plows are actively working to clear roads, so please be patient and give them plenty of room to operate safely and effectively. And an important reminder that there is NO PARKING or standing of vehicles allowed on any road or street in the Township when it interferes with winter operations.

• Township Introduces Tap-to-Donate System at Public Water Taps - The Township of Lake of Bays is introducing a tap-to-donate system at its three public water refill stations in Baysville, Dwight, and Hillside. Staff and Council hope these devices will encourage more donations in our increasingly cashless world to help with the costs associated with this free, year-round service available for campers, visitors, and residents. Read the full article here, or Watch the Video.

• Stephen Watson to Retire After 26 Years - With over two decades of dedicated service, the Township of Lake of Bays announces the upcoming retirement of Stephen Watson, Director of Building and By-law Services and Chief Building Official. Read the full article here.

• Integrated Watershed Management Workshop - Over 60 municipal leaders from in and around Muskoka gathered on November 28 for an Integrated Watershed Management Workshop jointly hosted by the Township of Lake of Bays and the Town of Huntsville. Read more at the Doppler and MuskokaRegion.

From the District of Muskoka:

• Between Two Pines: November 2024 Highlights - Read about what's been happening at the District of Muskoka in housing, supporting early years professionals and more. Click here.

• 2025-2026 Draft Tax Supported Operating and Capital Budget - The 2025-2026 District of Muskoka Draft Tax Supported Budget is now available. Departmental budget discussions will take place at each of the respective Standing Committee meeting during the week of December 16, then the budget will be referred to a Committee of the Whole Council for further deliberation on January 10, 2025. The Council intends to adopt the budget on January 16, 2025. Read the press release for more details.

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

Reading, Interesting Links and Events

• FRIENDS OF THE MUSKOKA WATERSHED COUNCIL: ASHMuskoka Drive, Saturday December 14>

• ONTARIO NATURE: Read the Winter 2024 issue of ON Nature>

• MUSKOKA'S HISTORIC STEAMSHIP NEARLY SENT TO THE DEPTHS BY THE MAJOR SNOWSTORM: Read more at CottageLife.com>

photo by Shane Baker

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.

Lake of Bays Association

info@loba.ca

www.loba.ca 

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