• Council continues to endorse the intent of the pesticide and fertilizer by-law ban. However it will be modified to include some legal concerns and fertilizer exemptions (i.e. use of mulch, use indoors, etc.).
• Two Community Safety Zones have been approved for Mactier: Stewart Street (from Maple to Stewart) and Railway Street (from Maple to Stanley) 7 days a week, from 7 am to 10 pm, May 15 through September 15
• Staff and Council are talking about moving into the new offices in July with an official Open House in August. The Fire Department and Public Works should be moving in June.
• An overview of the water quality workshop held in Toronto on April 22 with most Township Cottage Associations is available below:
  Water Quality Workshop Results.pdf
• In addition to local water quality testing this year, the District will also monitor for clarity, phosphorous, oxygen, temperature, pH, conductivity and other chemicals in Baxter Lake, Galla Lake, Gibson Lake, Go Home Lake, North Bay, South Bay, Tadenac Lake, Tadenac Bay and Twelve Mile Bay. A shoreline survey will be prepared for Baxter Lake.
• Modifications to the Private Road Assumption Policy is under review by Council. The main addition is the potential use of the Local Improvement Changes concept whereby residents on the road can have some of the assumption costs added to their taxes for a period of 5 years. In the end, all costs for the road upgrade to Municipal standards will be borne by the road residents and additional funds from increased tax revenue will be sufficient to maintain the road for the long term.
• A new outdoor ice rink with a roof structure will be build this year on the site of the existing temporary Municipal Office behind the Baxter Community Centre.

Paul M Wiancko
Six Mile Lake
pwiancko@csolve.net