Land Between protects birds and bees

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February 17, 2022

The Land Between is using antennas, blacklight and microchips to monitor a fragile part of Haliburton’s ecosystem.

In September, the conservation organization installed the first of three Motus towers.

“Each tower can track birds leaving and arriving and moving within 20 kilometers of the tower,” said Land Between founder and CEO Leora Berman.

Minute chips, fixed onto the creatures like a miniature backpack, ping the tower and provide organizations such as Berman’s valuable insights into population trends.

“Knowing which habitat birds are using and what area birds rely on helps us conserve those areas,” she said.

One more tower will be installed in 2022, casting a wider net over the Highlands. It’s an area with sparse coverage compared to the rest of the bioregion that spans southern Ontario from Georgian Bay to the Ottawa Valley.

Each tower is nearly $10,000, and they’ll be installed at the Haliburton Forest, Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park and near the Tory Hill area. Berman expects to start collecting data this spring.

“The data that they bring in is worth so many legs in the field,” she said.

Berman said the towers will be especially helpful in tracking certain at-risk birds such as Nightjars. Two sub-species, the Common Nighthawk and Eastern Whip-poor-will are at-risk in Ontario.

Developing a clear idea of the threat to these species involves investigating their food source: mosquitos, black flies and other small insects.

Berman and volunteers have begun insect biomass sampling across Haliburton. That involves coordinating with property owners to sample for insects in different locations.

Armed with a bucket of sugar water, a little soap and a blacklight, the Land Between ventures out during insect season in the spring and fall. They put the filter in the middle of a habitat, for example, a lawn or a forest, to find out “who’s there” in different locations around Haliburton.

While data isn’t sufficient for final analysis yet, it’s showing trends that are worrying.

“Already we’ve seen the percentage of insects are significantly lower. Almost nil in typical residential areas,” she said.

Mosquito spraying and the removal of natural vegetation are often to blame. A decline in insects or native vegetation means Nightjars and many songbirds go hungry. “Because we’re removing the base of the whole food web we’re seeing a massive decline,” she said.

The decline of bird species such as the Common Nighthawk or Bank Swallow and their food sources of insects such as mosquitos and blackflies, won’t just mean a change to common sights and sounds of the Highlands.

“There is a cascading effect up the food chain,” Berman said. “When there are lots of insects, birds are happy, the fish are happy and nature is happy.”

It could mean decreased pest control, with fewer birds around to eat invasive species such as Gypsy Moths or spruce budworms that can defoliate forests. It also poses a risk to the regeneration of vegetation and natural areas since birds carry and disperse seeds. The decline in seed dispersal then affects the availability of deer feed.

Creating habitats

Landowners have a big role to play in crafting bug and bird-friendly environments. Apart from staying away from property-wide mosquito sprays, Berman encourages people to consider researching native vegetation.

That doesn’t necessarily mean mosquitos or blackflies will get worse. Naturalized environments might attract mosquito-loving Nightjars who can eat up to 10,000 bugs a night.

Switching away from LED lights can help too, the blue shade of light attracts bugs to a cottage since it mimics the evening sky. She suggests amber lights and a lower wattage is a better choice. Smoke can act as a repellant too, one that won’t cause long-term effects on a bug’s habitat.

Berman said the Land Between will be focused on that kind of education over the next year, also developing information packages for local governments.

“The municipalities and landowners don’t have enough data or information to make decisions that have a wider and longer view and so we can help fill these gaps” Berman said. “You cannot take pieces away from the food web and not have a cascading effect.”

Ontario accelerates pandemic opening plan

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Submitted

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February 17, 2022

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Starting Feb. 17, Ontario will increase gathering limits and remove capacity limits at places where vaccination certificates are required.

On March 1, businesses won’t be obligated to check proof of vaccination certificates though mask-wearing will continue to be enforced.

“Given how well Ontario has done in the Omicron wave we are able to fast track our reopening plan,” said Premier Doug Ford in an Oct. 14 press release. “This is great news and a sign of just how far we’ve come together in our fight against the virus. While we aren’t out of the woods just yet we are moving in the right direction.”

In a Feb. 14 press conference, Ford insisted the acceleration of the reopening plan was “despite” the ongoing anti-mandate protests.

Ford and Christine Elliott, deputy premier and minister of health said declining case rates and hospitalization numbers are behind the decision.

“Thanks to the province’s high vaccination rates and the continued sacrifices of Ontarians, we are now in a position where we can move forward in our plan earlier than anticipated,” said Elliott. “With hospitalizations and ICU admissions continuing to decline, we are committed to maintaining a gradual and cautious approach to protect our hospital capacity and ensure patients can access the care they need when they need it.”

The HKPR health unit reported similarly optimistic trends in recent weeks.

“We are seeing multiple indicators that things are improving and that COVID-19 transmission is decreasing,” said chief medical officer of health Dr. Natalie Bocking.

As of Feb. 14, HKPR COVID testing, now limited to high-risk people and settings, showed a case rate of 114 cases per 100,000 people, lower than over 500 cases per 100,000 people in early January.

Rundown of reopening

Effective Feb. 17 Ontario will further ease public health measures, including, but not limited to:

• Increasing social gathering limits to 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors.

• Increasing organized public event limits to 50 people indoors, with no limit outdoors.

Removing capacity limits in the following indoor public settings where proof of vaccination is required, including but not limited to:

• Restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments without dance facilities.

• Non-spectator areas of sports and recreational fitness facilities, including gyms and cinemas.

• Meeting and event spaces, including conference or convention centres.

• Casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments. • Indoor areas of settings that choose to opt-in to proof of vaccination requirements.

• Allowing 50 per cent of the usual seating capacity at sports arenas, concerts venues and theatres.

• Increasing indoor capacity limits to 25 per cent in the remaining higher-risk settings where proof of vaccination is required, including nightclubs, restaurants where there is dancing, as well as bathhouses and sex clubs.

• Increasing capacity limits for indoor weddings, funerals or religious services, rites, or ceremonies to the number of people who can maintain two-metre physical distance. Capacity limits are removed if the location opts-in to use proof of vaccination or outdoors.

• Capacity limits in other indoor public settings, such as grocery stores, pharmacies, retail and shopping malls, will be maintained at, or increased to, the number of people who can maintain two-metre physical distance.

Effective March 1

• Capacity limits on all indoor settings are lifted. • Proof of vaccination rule will be lifted.

Brohman speaks out against restrictions

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Mike Baker

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February 17, 2022

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After TLDSB superintendent Kim Williams said low-contact extracurriculars could resume board-wide as of Feb. 7, Haliburton area school board trustee Gary Brohman voiced his frustration over the “vague” updates presented to the board, asking when a full scope of after-school activities will be made available to students.

Brohman said other boards in Ontario had already given the green light for all extracurriculars to start, and wondered why a similar decision hadn’t yet come down at TLDSB.

Director of Education Wes Hahn said he and his team are in constant communication with the various public health units across the board’s jurisdiction, and all decisions are funneled through them.

“We can’t just go and do what we want. We’d love to open it up… But we require [public health] approval before we do that,” he said. “It’s all community-based. Because some of the cases are higher in some [of our] communities, we’re not able to move forward. Some communities [elsewhere] have lower cases, so they are allowed. That’s just how it is.”

Hahn said he expects that all inter-school competition will be opened up at some point before the end of the current school year, but wasn’t sure when multi-school events would be back.

Brohman wasn’t a fan of Hahn’s answer.

“This is just so nebulous to the public and the kids. The kids are waiting with such anxiety. I’m frustrated, and the kids are frustrated,” Brohman said. “It’s always, in Ontario, about the future … What’s the number we need [for things to come back]. Is there some guy or lady in a white shirt somewhere saying, ‘well, I guess today we can go’… I just don’t get it.”

Enrollment up

Enrollment across TLDSB is up around 3.75 per cent this year, with 480 new students at the elementary level and 140 at the secondary level. Superintendent of business services, Tim Ellis, said these numbers were in line with board projections.

Providing a first quarter financial update, Ellis said total revenues were up with the board set to receive $232.2 million to carry out its operations this year, an increase from $225.4 million in 2020/21. Most of this money has been earmarked for COVID-19 related relief, he noted, with extra supports for virtual learning staff, transportation and cleaning.

Given the increased costs since the onset of the pandemic, Brohman asked if there was any concern over school boards going bankrupt. Superintendent of learning Paul Goldring noted that while he’s sure there’s some financial concerns at the ministry, there was no reason to believe the Ontario public school system was in trouble.

Capital projects

There are several planned enhancements for schools across Haliburton County over the next five years, with TLDSB releasing details of its long-term capital plan Feb. 8. Just over $6.6 million will be invested at the Highlands’ five elementary schools and one high school.

A $900,000 project to replace windows and exterior doors at Archie Stouffer will be completed this year, while $740,000 will be spent at Cardiff Elementary on classroom and electrical system upgrades. J.D. Hodgson is getting $1.7 million to upgrade classrooms and replace washrooms.

Haliburton Highlands Secondary School will receive $450,000 next year to replace washrooms, while a $1 million classroom upgrade is planned at Archie Stouffer in 2024. Around $950,000 will be spent in 2024 and 2025 to install LED lighting at all area schools.

The fun of the fair

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Submitted

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February 17, 2022

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Local historian Guy Scott has released a new book commemorating 150 years of the Kinmount Fair.

Running annually since 1872, the fair has been a summertime staple in the community for generations. Hundreds of Haliburton area residents typically attend, making the Kinmount Fair one of the largest, most anticipated events of the season. It’s held over the Labour Day long weekend.

Wanting to make a big splash of its 150th anniversary, Scott published The Story of the Kinmount Fair in January, cramming dozens of first-hand stories, fun facts and photographs into its pages.

“I’ve been going to the fair every year of my life. It’s a major part of our history as a community,” Scott said. “At one time, almost every township in our area had an agricultural fair: Gooderham, Highland Grove, Haliburton, Coboconk, but over the years they’ve disappeared, while the Kinmount fair has held on.”

He’s not exactly sure why or how Kinmount’s agricultural fair has endured. He noted the community isn’t particularly known for farming.

“The story goes, how do you make a million dollars farming in Kinmount? You start with $2 million,” Scott said.

He took an active role with the fair organizing committee in the 1980s and never looked back. While researching his book, he relived some of the “glory years,” when he helped organize mud wrestling matches, fishing derbies, and air shows.

The mud wrestling, in particularly, caused quite a stir back in 1985, Scott remembered.

“We were looking for a bit of a boost on the Friday, so we brought in the Chicago Knockers all-girl mud wrestlers. It didn’t go over well with some people,” he said. “One little old lady caught me afterwards and she said ‘I’ve been going to your fair every year in my life, and that’s the end of it. I’m not going to see no strip show at the Kinmount Fair’.”

Photographs from that event, and dozens of others, are included in the book.

“It’s a lot of nostalgia, but remembering our history, too,” he said.

The book is available at Kinmount Artisans Marketplace. Since its release, Scott estimates he’s sold around 50 copies.

With the event being cancelled the last two years due to the pandemic, Scott said he’s hopeful things will be “back to normal” in 2022. There are plans to hold a special celebration in honour of the sesquicentennial.

“I’m just excited it’s going to be back. All the pictures I’ve seen in writing my book, it’s people smiling and kids having fun. That’s what we want to do with our fair, make it exciting. We want it to be a worthwhile attendance,” Scott said. “As musician Propter Hawk says in her song, ‘I gotta get myself back to the Kinmount Fair’. To me, that says it all. Remember the good times, and let’s do them again.”

Martial arts ‘really great form of exercise’

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Lisa Gervais

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February 17, 2022

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Kelly Outram was seven when he took a karate class for the first time. Self-described as “lanky with big glasses and a girl’s name,” he was being bullied at school.

“So, I had a rough time,” the owner of K.O. Martial Arts said. “As soon as I started learning karate, and learned to push back when you’re pushed, after once or twice, people start to leave you alone.”

But it wasn’t just about “smashing and bashing.” He discovered he really enjoyed the discipline.

He continued until his early teens when his teacher moved away. From there, he played hockey, football and rugby “to get my ya-ya’s out through my teenage years.”

However, he returned to martial arts at 19. At the time, he was living in the Highlands in the summer, where he worked as an arborist but would move to the city in the winters and practice some sort of martial arts.

He moved back full-time in 2018, working with his brother as Outram Tree Solutions. However, his side hustle became teaching martial arts. Just prior to the pandemic, and since then when it has been allowed, he has taught classes at various venues in Haliburton village. His repertoire has included self-defense and combat sports, striking, grappling, mindfulness and body awareness, Tai Chi and Qi Gong.

At the moment, he is teaching Tai Chi at his house on South Lake Road Saturday and Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. but said the cold has kept people away from the outdoor, socially-distanced classes.

He said COVID has been a challenge. For example, he had planned a Minden launch for Jan. 8 but had to cancel that after the province locked things down.

However, he said the tree work is his “bread job. I’m not doing the martial arts to keep myself fed. I would have been starving for the last two years.”

Martial arts, though, has always been his passion. He really reconnected with it after being diagnosed with a bipolar disorder in his late teens, early 20s.

“I had a little spurt with that where I didn’t know what to do about it. It was a rough time for a year or so. I got on medication for a while and that straightened me out for a while. Then I realized if I just kept myself together, if I could exercise, sleep well, eat properly, I didn’t need to be medicated. I was concerned it (the medication) was going to destroy my liver by the time I was 50. As long as I stay consistent with my training, I’m stable.”

With mental health taking a toll throughout the pandemic, it’s a practice he wants to share. Ideally, he would like to work with kids but anyone 16-45.

“It’s a really nice practice, really great form of exercise, it’s interactive, it’s a lot of fun. It sure beats pumping iron which gets pretty boring over time I find.”

He believes a practice resonates with young rural kids, who need activity but have to spend six hours a day in school.

“Something like this where they can just get their ya-ya out is extremely good.”

He added, “to me, the greatest takeaway ideologically and mentally from martial arts, is you get better. You might suck at this because it’s your first time. What I really want to foster in my students, no matter what it is, if you try and practice, you’re going to get better at it in every context.

“You might not be a world class master, but you are going to be better than you are today if you decide you want to get better at something.”

Contact K.O. Martial Arts: martial.arts. haliburton@gmail.com or 705-457-7884

Programming back on at Minden recreation centre

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Lisa Gervais

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February 17, 2022

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It’s a Thursday morning at the Minden rec centre and brothers Scott and Daryl Moore are on one of four badminton courts while people walk on the elevated track above them.

Elsewhere in the facility, a group of guys are on the ice for shinny.

Daryl said he recently retired.

“So, this is an activity I can get out and play, get some exercise. I find the game invigorating.” He hadn’t played for years, since he was in high school, but is loving the return to the courts.

Scott added, “we’re out here trying to get exercise in. I’ve had some health issues. So, for me, it’s kind of a purpose in my life.”

He said most Thursday mornings, eight to 10 people come out during his 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. time slot.

His wife plays and his daughter comes out occasionally “so from our perspective it’s great.”

Scott said it’s also a wonderful facility.

Minden Hills community development coordinator Elisha Weiss is checking pre-registered people in. She asks to see their vaccination passport via QR code on their phone and takes their payment.

She said the facility reopened Jan. 31 after provincial restrictions eased.

They are open to badminton, pickleball, basketball, table tennis, the walking track and shinny. Most of the programming is weekdays, although table tennis is Monday nights from 5.30-7.30 p.m.

“Once we get more staff positions hired, we’ll be able to offer more evenings and weekend programming which will be great for all of the working folk,” she said.

Weiss added everything is a little bit slow at the moment.

“Even pickleball, before the shutdown it was getting very busy. I don’t know if it’s just the time of year. Definitely, basketball, we’ve had only a few participants out for that. Really, it would be just nice to see all the programs nice and full. Like, even the shinny today, we only have six or seven.”

She said people also don’t like travelling in winter weather, which she can’t blame them for.

They’re actively recruiting shinny players, including from out-of-town.

Weiss said, “The doors are open. So, people just have to bring their vaccine QR codes, and ID. Right now, we’re still offering just day passes but hopefully by September we’ll be able to offer memberships.”

The fitness centre is still empty but the township is hoping that by the end of March it will be available, “So that will be really exciting. I know a lot of people are really looking forward to that,” Weiss said.

Sports

• Pickleball: Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9 a.m. to noon. (in one-hour time slots)

• Basketball: Tuesday, 9 a.m. to noon.

• Badminton: Thursday, 9 a.m. to noon

• Table tennis: Monday 5:30-7:30 p.m.

• All are $5 adult and $3 youth

• Walking track: Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. No cost

• See the website for ice sports See mindenhills.ca/recreation/ for more information.

To sign up, contact Elisha at 705-286-1936 or eweiss@ mindenhills.ca

Libraries facing staff shortages

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Sam Gillett

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February 17, 2022

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The Haliburton County Public Library may not have enough staff to keep branches running regularly, or open at all, in coming weeks.

In a letter to the community on Feb. 10, library board chairperson Sally Howson said “The Haliburton County Public Library (HCPL) is currently, like many businesses, experiencing staff shortages. This may result in the reduction in hours or closure at some branches on short notice.”

At a Feb. 9 board meeting, CEO Christopher Stephenson said the library had 16 staff when he assumed the role in 2021. Now there are 10.

“I just need to be honest: we don’t have enough people,” he said. Administration staff have begun training in order to fill service gaps.

He said the shortage is due to recent retirements, staff pursuing post-secondary education, and leaves of absence.

“These layers have put stress on the group, and that has repercussions when we don’t have a lot of on-call standing by,” Stephenson said.

Patrons have called to voice frustrations over curbside pickup services.

“People are really upset right now, and they’re upset at library workers and it’s unfortunate,” Stephenson told the board.

The library has requested County funding for two full-time positions and one parttime position in its 2022 budget.

“My focus on hiring is focused on reestablishing what we had years ago,” Stephenson said. His goal, he added, is to have locals staffing each library, which would cut down on travel costs associated with library workers travelling between branches.

The library board suggested checking the HCPL website for updates before going to a library branch.

“Please know that HCPL staff will continue to do their utmost to provide services in a safe manner,” Howson said.

Stephenson and Howson thanked library workers for their hard work and urged patrons to be patient.

Branches could be reviewed

County warden Liz Danielsen said the announcement about staffing shortages means the board needs to “talk about the number of branches we’ve got.”

She pointed to circulation levels in Highlands East, which are much lower than that of Dysart et al or Minden Hills.

“It was a challenge 12 years ago, people have dug in their heels and done the best they can,” she said. “We need to face the fact that something needs to give.”

With new methods of delivery available, such as the soon-to-launch book lockers in Dorset, Danielsen said there are options to consider, rather than eliminating services completely.

Fundraising committee restarts

A relatively small tax-paying population paired with a large service area poses challenges to HCPL funding levels.

The board discussed how restarting the library’s fundraising and advocacy committee could be a way to raise extra funds and partner with the Friends of the Haliburton County Public Library.

“We’ve got a budget that will get us through the year, if we get additional funds, that’s great,” said Danielsen.

The committee met in 2020, but it’s been dormant since. Howson suggested the first step might be creating terms of reference.

“This is not for the faint of heart, and we don’t have to expect that we’re going to raise $5 million in a couple of months,” she said.

Stephenson suggested the committee would work on a “strategic approach” to fundraising, possibly involving long-term and ongoing projects.

“From the libraries’ perspective, I think perhaps we would want to make a plan for different avenues of fundraising. I do have ideas so I can bring those,” he said.

Danielsen said a good first step might be publicizing areas the library could use help.

“I don’t see any harm in letting the public know there are financial challenges associated with the library system,” she said.

“You never know what might come in just from that.”

The board will discuss the committee structure at a future meeting

Minden approves safety and well-being plan

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Sam Gillett

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February 17, 2022

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Minden Hills council stamped its approval on the County’s externally-developed community safety and well-being plan (CSWB) Jan 10.

Councillors Bob Carter and Pam Sayne said parts of the plan could be improved to better reflect the Minden community.

Carter said the report was full of “consultant speak,” without enough specific plans for data collection on issues such as substance abuse or unemployment.

“I’m pretty disappointed in this,” he said. “The issue I have is in the report itself, along with work plans and goals.”

He pointed to Census data reporting 2,500 more people in Haliburton County than in 2016, about a 14 per cent bump to Minden’s population.

Without action plans for things such as new doctors and increased housing, Carter said the report is “terrific from a consultant’s perspective that could sit on a shelf, [but] not really a lot of action items that could help the County.”

The report outlines various ideas for improving services such as mental health support and addictions counselling, including a permanent virtual care clinic.

Other action items include developing employment and training placement programs for low-income groups and individuals.

A proposed police detachment board would include council members and the OPP detachment commander, along with one County-approved resident and a provincial appointee.

Sayne said that is too “top-heavy,” and more community stakeholders should be included.

“This does not bring any kind of consultative factors to the local municipalities, which I think is really critical in understanding our full community,” she said.

Including frontline workers, such as paramedics, would help the group “pivot, make decisions quickly and develop policies and programs that would help the community,” Sayne said.

She and Carter said they supported the drafting of the plan other than their specific concerns.

Mayor Brent Devolin said his initial skepticism has turned into whole-hearted support.

He said the plan represents a “change philosophically from a reactive to a proactive stance to dealing with issues like housing and food insecurity.”

Council unanimously supported the plan, with only Sayne voting against a subsequent motion of support for the seven-member detachment board.

Dysart passes budget

By

Mike Baker

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February 17, 2022

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Dysart council approved its 2022 budget Feb. 11, passing a 3.84 per cent tax levy increase to local ratepayers this year.

In tabling a third draft, treasurer Barbara Swannell said staff had worked hard in recent weeks to reduce the bottom line and arrive at a number more aligned with council’s expectations. A first draft in December called for a 7.56 per cent increase.

The new rate represents an increase of $11.41 per $100,000 of assessment for homeowners, with increases of $16.92 for commercial and $19.60 for industrial.

The typical residential property in Dysart was valued in 2016 at approximately $193,000 by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC), the organization tasked with carrying out home assessments for tax purposes in Ontario. Using that total, the typical ratepayer in Dysart will see an increase of approximately $22.10 on their tax bill in 2022.

Councillors John Smith and Walt McKechnie felt that number was high. McKechnie called on council to try and achieve a levy increase of less than three per cent, while Smith brought forward a few suggestions that would have drastically reduced the final number. His call to take $200,000 from a “substantial” 2021 budget operating surplus and apply it directly to the tax levy, rather than see it transferred into municipal reserves, did not pass.

“That would have gotten us below a two per cent increase,” Smith said of his idea. He then made a new suggestion, to take $100,000 from the surplus and apply it to the levy, bringing the tax increase down to around 2.8 per cent, but his motion failed.

Deputy mayor Pat Kennedy successfully lobbied for a slight budget reduction earlier in the meeting. Originally, council had intended to complete an $80,000 sidewalk project connecting the Gardens of Haliburton to Victoria Street using general tax funds, but given the municipality was sitting on around $290,000 of unspent federal money through the Canada Community Build Fund (CCBF), he suggested a change. Using $40,000 from the CCBF to subsidize the project, council was able to bring the budget increase down from the 4.22 per cent Swannell proposed at the beginning of the meeting.

Smith drew the ire of McKechnie when he said council could achieve further savings by looking closely at the Haliburton Highlands Museum budget. He wondered if the $22,900 allocated to repairs at Reid House was a good investment.

“I certainly don’t object to preserving some elements of our history, and we have a role as council in doing that, but if there’s really support for the museum and things like the Reid House, where are the other sources of funding?” Smith said, pointing out the township currently picks up approximately 95 per cent of the museum’s annual costs. In 2022, Dysart is projecting to spend just over $207,000 maintaining services at the museum.

“I’m tired of listening to negative arguments about our wonderful museum,” McKechnie retorted.

Council then went back on an earlier decision to not contribute to the chair lift fundraising program at the Haliburton Legion. Originally, the Legion had requested $10,000 to support the project, which is slated to cost about $105,000. Council denied that request Jan. 14, but decided last week to make a $2,000 contribution.

All in, the municipality projects to spend $18.49 million in 2022, with transportation services ($6.2 million), protective services and transportation services (both $3.7 million) representing the most significant expenditures.

AH gets to work on docks and landings

By

Mike Baker

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February 17, 2022

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Algonquin Highlands staff are seeking public feedback over the summertime use of the Skin Lake boat launch as the township gets going with its docks and landings improvement program.

Addressing council Feb. 3, Chris Card, parks, recreation and trails manager, said the Skin Lake site was the first location identified through the municipality’s asset management plan for upgrades. Presently, the site has a gravel approach down to the lake, retaining wall and wooden dock.

Card wants to replace the existing launch and fixed dock with a more environmentally-friendly option, something that councillors seemed to appreciate.

“It is possible that the current level of service could continue to be provided by removing the retaining wall and cantilevered dock feature, naturalizing the shoreline area to the extent possible and installing a gangway to [a] floating dock,” Card noted in his report.

The municipality will be putting out an RFP to bring a consultant in to advise on the project, while Card will be distributing a questionnaire to the 34 waterfront property owners fronting Skin Lake to hear what they’d like to see done with the redevelopment.

He hopes to complete the planning phase during the spring so that construction can be done in September. The municipality has set aside $95,000 for the project, although Card noted that amount was based on a like-for-like replacement of the launch, rather than what he was now proposing.

Mayor Carol Moffatt was pleased to hear property owners in the area would have a say, but warned that just because they have a voice doesn’t mean their every demand would be followed.

“We may not be able to address all the needs and wants. I feel like we need to set the table here – this is the first time we’re working through this process and it could change from one landing to another,” Moffatt said. “The purpose [through the questionnaire] is to gather information that will allow for decisions to be made. It’s not for people to say ‘I want this in blue, that in green, and my own personalized parking space.”

Card said there will be eight questions on the survey, with an aim to finding out the extent of winter use of the site (snowmobiles and ice fishing); extent of day users versus lake residents or property owners; if there’s a need for additional parking; historical water level information; and identifying any other locations on the lake residents launch from that can be used during construction.

There are 27 municipal docks and landings across Algonquin Highlands slated for improvements through this program.