• By-law 2005-09 concerning new Urban Standards for communities with sewer and water services was passed. A By-law for lot coverage (increasing to 10% for shoreline residential SR-1, SR-2 and SR-3) and amendments to definitions for lot coverage and height, floor area gross and floor area ground was deferred. Details on these By-laws were available on the Township website but have since been removed.  There are tentative plans for a major Workshop on revisions to the main Township By-law 91-19 on June 18, 2005 (to be confirmed).  Look for the final announcement, confirming this, next month.
• The District passed a resolution to consider a by-law that would allow ATVs on District Roads within the Township of Georgian Bay with the exception of District Road 38 through Wahta country.  The Township is preparing the companion By-law for Township roads. This should happen within the next few months.  Meanwhile, it is still illegal to operate an ATV on Township of Georgian Bay Roads and District Roads.
• Due to increasing requests for township records under the Freedom of Information Act, we have had to retain additional services. Our existing staff need to concentrate on the business of the Township.
• Under a new Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund the Township has been told that it will receive $415,592.00 from the Province this year. If the funds are received, they will be added to our reserves to offset future debts.  In addition we have received a $50,000.00 Ontario Fire Service Grant to assist our fire training and operational needs.  Our 2005 budget should be approved at our next council meeting.
• The District will be monitoring a number of water quality parameters this year in Six Mile Lake, Tadenac Lake and Bay, Flatrock Lake, Donald Lake, McCrae Lake, Barron’s Lake, Myers(Butterfly) Lake and Cassidy Lake as part of their long term Lake System Health Monitoring Program. In addition, a shoreline survey will be completed for Six Mile Lake.  Shoreline surveys have been completed for South Bay and Twelve Mile Bay.

Paul M Wiancko
Six Mile Lake
pwiancko@csolve.net