SLOA Winter 2011 Newsletter
AGM Meeting
The AGM for this year was held 1 Dec 2010 and was attended by approximately 20 households. If you missed it please review the minutes at the website www.sunsetlakes.ca . There was good information provided about past events and future programs. Of most significance was the discussion regarding 2011 SLOA Dues. Last year our fee was set at $325. Since we set this fee several pressures have been placed on our costs, namely HST and increased fuel and electricity costs. Accordingly our annual costs have and will increase again this year. At the AGM a motion was passed to increase our annual fees to $350.
Annual Dues
Your annual dues for 2011 have been set at $350. They are due 15 March 2011 and a SLOA addressed return envelope has been included for your convenience. Dues that are not paid by 15 March are subject to a late charge fee of $35.
SLOA Committee for 2011
John Dawson – President
Marcel Falardeau – Vice President/Grass cutting/Communications
Terry Lister – Treasurer
Claudia Buttera – Gardening
Rob Koktan- Water Quality Control
Heather Counsell – Pool/pool reservations
Dan Weslake – Design Review
Debbie Ng – Social Events
Rui Rodrigues – Secretary
Kailey Taplin – Youth Member
Community Events for 2011
Social Activities: Debbie Ng will be putting together a list of events with tentative timings for the upcoming year so check the web site.
Canada Hockey Day on our Ponds: Weather permitting February 12 will see a series of hockey games on our ponds. (19 Feb is the alternate day) Debbie Ng has volunteered to coordinate the event with help from Lisa Antle, Rob Koktan, Dan Weslake and Kailey Taplin. If you want to help out just contact anyone of these people. Guests are most welcome to this event. So come on out if only for a skate, and meet your neighbours. More details will be posted on the website and sent by e-mail.
Spring Clean-up Day – Saturday7 May at 9:30am: We will be getting ready for another great summer season. We will need your help with some general cleanup, putting in the docks, canoe, volleyball and tennis nets. Meet your neighbours at the pool and start your day off with coffee and a TimBit . Rain Day will be Sunday 8 May at 1:30 pm. See you there.
Tennis lessons: Another great success in 2010 and many thanks to Andrew Wilson and his family for their help organizing the lessons. Andrew has agreed to organize lessons for 2011 so please contact him to sign up. The lessons are for young and old. Check our website as we will be posting updated information in February 2011.
Garage sale (8:00am – 11:00am) and “Burn Your Books Bonfire” (7:00pm – 8:00pm) Saturday, 25 June. Details to follow.
Pool: The planned opening is 20 May. Heather Counsell is once again looking for youths in the community to operate the pool during the summer months. Those interested should send her a resume by April 15 and she will contact those for an interview. You can send a digital resume via SLOA e-mial addressed to Heather- sloa@rogers.com . Rob Koktan has agreed to help Heather this year with the pool duties.
Swimming lessons: Is there any interest in having swimming lessons at the pool? Please contact Debbie Ng at (613) 574-0143 or e-mail debdng@gmail.com).
Water skiing: Dan and Judy Anderson plan to once again host the annual ski competition in July this year. More details will follow including the opportunity to sign up for the summer ski school
Golf tournament: Marcel has agreed to organize this year’s event. More details will be provided in the coming months. If you are able to donate a prize please contact Marcel Falardeau.
Christmas Caroling and Sleigh Ride: Due to the success this year, we plan to continue with a Choral sing and sleigh ride once again next Christmas.
If anyone in the community has further suggestions for social events, and/or would be willing to help out with an event planning please contact Debbie at debdng@gmail.com.
Water quality and the effects of fertilizers
Using NutraFX Algae (a safe and natural product) worked last year to control the algae in our lakes and ponds. The nitrate and phosphate levels are under control. We need a volunteer for each of the two ponds. A thank you to Shane O’Neill, Jamie Taplin, Marc Seaman, Claudia and Rob Buttera, Steve Finkelstein and Ed Lister for their help in 2010. Rob Koktan will be organizing this year’s team.
We continue to ask residents to assist us to help find alternatives to pesticides and fertilizers. A major factor that contributes to the problem of high levels of algae in our lakes is the run-off from fertilizer used on lawns throughout the community. They continue to enter into Twin Lake in significant volumes at two “hot spots’’ which then feeds into Sunset Lake which also has three additional culverts feeding runoff water. Without eliminating the use of fertilizers on our lawns this will be a never ending battle and expense. The only permanent solution lies in total eradication of the use of traditional fertilizers.
We introduced an alternative in 2009 – NutraFX Turf which acts as a bio-stimulant, helping to release soil nutrients present and improving water absorption and retention capabilities. It contains natural plant growth stimulants, minerals and vitamins. NutraFx Turf is one viable option to traditional fertilizers and with some minor research, you will find many others. If you wish to order NutraFX Turf please place your order through John Dawson (613-821-5113) or preferably through e-mail at john_christinedawson@rogers.com . Please do your research and use these more environmentally friendly products. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us, or contact Mr. Roland Poirier directly at NutraFX: (613) 258-7496 or www.nutra-fix.com
Covenants
Being a resident of Sunset Lakes confers many benefits and privileges. However, with those benefits come certain responsibilities, as dictated, primarily, by the DEED RESTRICTIONS FOR SUNSET LAKES DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION COVENANTS AND RESTRICTIONS which can be found online at http://www.sunsetlakes.ca/sunsetlakes/sunset_index.htm.
Reminder of some covenants (www.sunsetlakes.ca):
We realize there are extenuating circumstances and you may need an exception to a covenant for a short period of time. If that is the case let us know and we can work out a solution. Some of the perennial observations made to the Board are:
- Driveways that have not been paved (or equivalent type surface) within one year of construction.
- Trailers, boats, RVs, etc. continue to be stored on driveways or in yards for prolonged periods (greater than a week).
As a Board you have entrusted us with the responsibility to ensure the covenants are followed. To this effort we have enclosed a copy of a form letter we will be using in the future to inform those resident who are in violations of a covenant. We realize that this often occurs inadvertently and the Board will work with all to come to an amicable solution.
Stay in touch for the latest news on our web site – www.sunsetlakes.ca . If you want to contact the Board our e-mail address is sloa@rogers.com .
