Crane Lake Association

Hello there, winter is here at the lake and the snowmobiling is

great! Let me comment on some things that are going on in the

Township that affect Crane Lake.

Crane Lake Dam: As you all know, we were looking forward

cancelled the project claiming lack of funding. On chatting

with them recently, they tell me that the project is still on the

to-do list and will be done this year if funding is available.

From my perspective, I think we missed the opportunity

window. The Province is strapped for cash and I personally

can’t see them spending money on anything unless it’s

absolutely necessary. Our dam is in good shape and certainly

doesn’t fit into a “must do” category. But I could be wrong!

We’ll just have to wait and see.

successful in qualifying for Provincial/Federal infrastructure

grants that exceed $5,000,000.00. This money is earmarked

predominately for the paving of Healy, and Crane/Blackstone

roads. It was planned that all road construction would be done

in the fall and winter and paving would be in Spring and early

Summer. The whole industry is extremely busy as you can

imagine and this has pushed our schedule out. Unfortunately

we will experience some construction on these roads during

this Spring and Summer but there’s nothing much we can do

about that – good things take time! I have asked that staff pay

special attention to dust control this summer prior to the

paving being done.

hottest topic throughout the Township and continues to

consume hours of thought and discussion each month. As

everybody is aware, the Healy Lake and Crane Lake transfer

sites are only open when manned as dictated by the MOE.

Point Au Baril joined us last year and the remaining 5 sites

will also only be open when manned this year.

While, I think most of us have adjusted to the non 7/24 ability

to dispose of our waste, there are some that are still upset and

although we held taxes down last year, they feel they lost

some service. I am sympathetic to those of you who are

inconvenienced by the current situation and as a result, I

requested that an MOE Official attend one of our Council

meetings back in the fall. The chap in charge of our area did

attend and I made a presentation to him. My presentation

focused on asking the MOE to give us permission to create an

“after hours” drop ability at transfer sites. Basically allow us

to create a small, bear/animal/bird proof enclosure that could

be used by us “in a pinch” when needed. I think the ideas were

well received especially when he said “so you want a hybrid

solution”. As one would expect, we haven’t heard back on that

request as of yet – the wheels of Provincial Bureaucracy move

slowly but here’s hoping. I know for sure, I will get more

support from the rest of Council once they have to deal with

their ratepayers after 7/24 access is closed at their transfer

sites this year!

Staff feels that we are doing a far better job recycling. We’ve

had glowing feedback from MCS (our recycler) regarding the

lack of contamination of recycle bins from sites that are

manned. This year we are mandating that clear plastic bags be

doing our best to recycle. Please do your part.

As part of the infrastructure money that we received from the

Province and the Feds last year, we received enough money to

purchase compactor bins for all transfer sites. These were used

at the Pointe au Baril site last year and the results were

amazing. The compacting bins far exceeded our expectations

in reducing trips to the landfill or MCS and this will save lots

of $$ going forward. So, at the Crane site this year, you will

see 3 shiny new compactor bins, one for household waste, one

for recycled containers and one for paper products. When not

manned, the compactors will be left with the compacting ram

extended thus making it an animal-proof container. Hopefully

a step towards not requiring use of a “bear proof” (tongue in

cheek) fence.

As I mentioned earlier, we spend a lot of time on waste

management and I think we’re getting closer to getting it right.

What we’ve found out is that all neighbourhoods are unique

and a “one size fits all” solution doesn’t work.

most important issues on our lake and any other lake for that

matter. Perfectly healthy trees continue to be cut down on

shorelines. Presumably this was done to improve the view of

the water. The removal of vegetation from the shoreline for

filter and remove nutrients before they get in the water. You

must realize that every septic system has huge amounts                                                                         

you put in the septic eventually returns to the lake laden with

nutrients. If you have healthy shoreline vegetation, the amount

of nutrients reaching the lake will be minimal as nature

intended. Just remember, if and when our lakes turn bad with

blue green algae (due to nutrient loading) the lakes will not be

useable for many, many years and your properties will be

ignore the proper way to treat our shorelines, the Township

will be forced to institute bylaws to prevent abuse. It’s in your

hands!

putting together the budget for this year. As you will

year. This year our target is to not exceed a 1% increase in our

controllable costs and I think we can do that. The

Education, OPP, Belvedere, DSSAB to name a few. I am on

the DSSAB board which is the Parry Sound District Social

Services Board. The DSSAB staff and board members are

currently into the budget process as well. Even though the

final budget hasn’t been set, I am happy to announce that there

will be a significant decrease in the amount the TOA has to

dole out this year which will help the bottom tax line.

That’s all for now. If you have any questions, please do not

hesitate to contact me at:

Phone 705-378-2089 (summer), 705-484-5235

(winter)

E-mail ianm@vianet.ca

Thanks

Ian Mead