• Pat Nortley, Georgian Bay Foundation presented a plaque to the Mayor to acknowledge Township support on past initiatives.
• By Regulations, notices of Committee of Adjustment variances are required to be sent out to land owners within 60 meters of the applicant property 10 days prior to the C of A meeting. It is the unwritten policy for the Township to circulate beyond this distance. Later this spring, the Township will also post the variances on the Township website 10 days prior to the C of A meetings so individuals and Associations will have more time to comment.
• Council passed By-law 2006-16, banning the use of phosphorous and nitrogen based fertilizers and pesticides on all private lawns throughout the Township. A new “best management” pamphlet prepared by the Muskoka Watershed Council entitled “Healthy Lawns and Gardens” outlining how to manage weeds naturally will be available this spring.
• The District 2006 budget has been set at 3.77% increase. The District is 35-40% of the overall budget (Education is 35-40% and the Township is 25%). The Township budget will be set by the end of April.
• Karl Schiefer and Mary Muter presented the Township “Water Quality Monitoring Report 2005” on water chemistry and bacterial results. Areas of concern (hot spots) have been identified in North Bay, South Bay, Twelve Mile Bay, Cognashene Lake, Little Go Home Bay (Gloucester Pool) and portions of Six Mile Lake.
• A number of minor definition updates to Zoning By-law 91-19 were discussed for approval at the next Council meeting.

Paul M Wiancko
Six Mile Lake
pwiancko@csolve.net