The role of the Township Watch committee is to:
- Attend council meetings regularly as well as the district council
- Report on ongoing issues
- Monitor changes in the township by-laws and regulations.
What happened in the Township - June 2011
COUNCIL MEETING – Monday June 27th. – 9:00 am:
This meeting began with several delegations.
- Karen McGee, engineer from Swift River, presented a brief history of the Green Energy Hydro Project, which by now goes back several years. She commented on several improvements that have been made during those years – e.g. upper water limits, a new s cenic park, an all season walking and snowmobiling bridge over the Moon River. There is now an official request for a Lease / Licence agreement for the small piece of Township land required for building the project. The Mayor stated that she was not trying to “stiffle” Council. She will follow the process.
- Sandy Currie, representing the Moon River Property Owners Association, spoke questioning why this project is so important to the Provincial Government.
- Mitchell Shnier, speaking for “Save the Bala Falls” presented his opinion of the considerable damage he feels the project will cause.
Grant Thorton, Auditors for the Township presented the 2010 Financial Statements and Auditors Report. Julie Stevens, ex treasurer of the Township presented and led a discussion of Township Finances.
Another unusual request came to Council via the Director of Parks and Recreation. This request was for a permit for Hudson’s Bay Pop Up Shop to be able to sell their merchandise at the Shield Parking Lot in Bala for 4 days on the August 1st long weekend. Although this company was known to the Mayor, it was unknown to the Councillors, who were very wary of the request. There were many questions regarding the effect on local merchants who pay year round rent, the loss of parking spaces, and the use of Township property for just o ne merchant (as opposed to Market Day when any merchant may set up a booth at a nominal cost). The issue was deferred to the following day.
COMMITTEE of the WHOLE MEETING – Tuesday June 27th. – 9:00 am:
Two young women from Hudson’s Bay Pop Up Shop presented their request. They spoke well and were strongly supported by the Mayor, until finally a vote passed to allow the event. On a similar note, the Bush Water Ski School has cancelled its plans for a concert on August 1st weekend as they did not have enough time to get all their permits.
FYI – A public seminar will be held at the Port Carling Community Centre on Saturday, July 23rd, 2011 from 9:00 am to 11:00 am on the subject of Comprehensive Zoning By-Law.
We would like to thank ALL of you who have phoned and sent emails to the MRA commenting on various issues. Almost all of these have been favourable and encouraging but we do appreciate all your feedback. As you realise, the MRA does not take a “side” on issues such as the Green Energy project. Rather, we made the decision that our concern was that due process be followed by all parties involved, thereby producing good governance. We shall continue to try to keep you informed as the process continues.
Late Update:
We have been advised that for unknown reasons, the Hudson‘s Bay Pop Up Shop has decided not to come to Muskoka this August 1st weekend.
We invite and encourage you to tell us how you feel about all this.
You can contact us at:
Muskoka Ratepayers’ Association
Box 336, Port Carling,
Ontario, P0B 1J0
Email: muskokaratepayers@vianet.ca
Or call: 705-765-0022
Last Updated: November 18, 2011