Boating Safety -- Take a Course and Get Your Card
Fable of the Olde Fence -- Episode I
Fires on Bataille and Rhéaume Lakes Islands
Our quality of life at the lake....
Working to maintain it for you!
On behalf of myself and the Executive Committee, it is a pleasure to addres you as the Perkins-sur-le-lac (PSLL) Association celebrates its forthieth anniversary. Laurent Roy, past president, is to be congratulated for his work on developing a results-oriented Committee to better serve you.
Our mission is to pursue, as effectively as possible, the steps taken to develop our solidarity and to conserve the beauty and quality of our environment.
I wish to thank all PSLL members and members of the Executive for their had work and dedication.
The Annual General Meeting will be held on July 21, 10:00 am at Lac Bataille Beach. Rain date, July 28. This is the chance to meet your neighbours and develop a sense of community. There will be supervision for children, so come on out and join us.
I look forward to seeing you there.
Members
of the Executive Committee
2001-2002
|
President |
Chevreuil Lake Representatives Jane Askin |
| Secretary Tim Naumetz |
Corrigan Lake Representative Vacant |
| Treasurer David Hodgkin |
Louise Lake Representative Vacant |
| Barnes Lake Representative Paul Strigner |
Maskinongé Lake Representative Vacant |
|
Bataille Lake Representatives |
Rhéaume Lake Representatives |
Lakes Rheaume and Bataille were stocked with 1,600 rainbow trout 7 to 9 inches long. Lakes Barnes and Chevreuil were stocked with 300 trout each. This was made possible by the generous contributions of certain individuals who contributed $720 from their own pockets. This brought up the total stocking budget to $2,200 for 2001.
If you are interested in contributing financially or viewing the stocking of the lakes, please contact your lace representative.
As you are aware, the Association is now the sole owner of Lac Bataille Beach and the private roads in the old domain. Owning the road is a tremendous asset, so that we can enjoy and protect our natural surroundings. I would ask, however, that you familiarize yourself the with following five principles:
A rock fence was built at the beach. Many thanks to those volunteers, especially Paul Strigner, who did such a terrific job.
On the environment front, we have working to reduce the over-fertilization
of our lakes. A primary way to achieve this is minimize the effects of roadside
drainage entering the lakes. We have therefore asked Ressources naturelles
Quebec to rectify the abandoned mine shaft near the intersection of Lac
Bataille Road and Blackburn Road. We will provide an update at the Annual
General Meeting.
We are planning the 40th anniversary of PSLL. A party and
garage sale at Bataille beach are planned for later this summer. Stay tuned
for more details.
We continue to look for ways to serve you, and welcome any suggestions. A suggestion box and notice board will be erected at the beach.
Boating Safety
Take a Course and Get Your
Card
Operator Competency Requirement
The Competency of Operators of Pleasure Craft Regulations require
operators of pleasure craft fitted with a motor and used for recreational
purposes to have proof of competency on board at all times. These requirements
are being phased in over ten years (see table).
|
How this applies to operators of pleasure craft
fitted with a motor and used for recreational purposes |
Date at which proof of competency required on board |
|
All operators born after April 1, 1983 |
September 15, 1999 |
|
All operators of craft under
4 m in length, including personal watercraft (e.g.
"seadoo") |
September 15,
2002 |
|
All operators |
September 15,
2009 |
TIP: Certificates for boating safety courses completed before April 1, 1999 will be recognized. If you have already taken a course prior to these regulations and have proof, then that course certificate or card will be accepted as proof of competency!
Proof of competency can take one of three forms:
The operator card is good-for-life. Boaters can obtain their card after
receiving a mark of at least 75% on a Canadian Coast Guard accredited test.
Boaters also have the option of taking this test without first completing a
course. The penalty for not having proof of operator competency on board is a
$250 fine issued directly to the boat operator.
The average cost for
an accredited boating course varies depending on the course provider. For more
information or for a list of organizations that offer accredited boating
safety courses and tests, contact the Canadian Coast Guard at 1-800-267-6687
or visit their website at http://www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca/
Fable of the Olde Fence -- Episode I
Once upon a time a lake association purchased a beach supposedly protected by a damaged wooden fence. The fence was in a very poor condition; time and persons with bad habits and vile intentions had destroyed part of it to the point of driving on the beach. First the good members thought of a chain link fence because of its low maintenance, although a new cedar fence would have been destroyed by the bad people with their vehicles again. The association executive then thought of a stone fence with some cedars to enhance its appearance. The strong stone fence will now ensure that the bad people cannot drive through and destroy the beach.
This is the assurance of an environmentally perfect fence, maintenance free, no visual pollution, low cost resources and an unlimited lifetime warranty.
The good members lived happily every after until the next episode?
Fires on Bataille and Rhéaume Lakes
Islands
On Saturday morning, September 8, 2001, an unseasonably warm weekend, a fire was discovered by some alert cottagers on the northern side of the two large islands on Lac Bataille. Flames were coming from a tree stump and a large circular area about 16 feet across was black and smoking. Many empty beer bottles were found lying in the middle of the fire zone. Several neighbours formed a bucket brigade but whenever they thought they had the fire under control, smoke would show up elsewhere. The ground was on fire.
In the end, they had no choice but to call the fire department who in turn
had their own problems coming down a narrow lane then having to be ferried by
boat, with their equipment, to the island. The firefighters resorted to axes
and shovels to break up the burning soil, buckets of water (to douse the
smouldering bits as the firemen could not manage to coax any water up the
hose) and a chain saw to open up the burning stump. The volunteer bucket
brigade went back three more times to does the area. Late Sunday afternoon the
fire was finally out. It had most probably been started on Friday night.
A disaster was averted thanks to the vigilance of alert cottages and neighbours
getting together to help fight another careless fire.
Rhéaume Lake
In June 2001, approximately a dozen teenagers between 17 and 19 years of age wet to Rope Island. They were drinking heavily and being raucous to say nothing of the foul language they were using. Not only did they light a fire, they did not extinguish it and also left all their garbage and beer cans strewn all over. These teenagers were seen going back to MacLaren's Bay and turned to the left side where they were out of view. Unfortunately, the people who witnessed this event did not have a phone or a motor boat, just a canoe. Despite the fact that the motor boat was seriously overloaded and dragging, they could not have caught up with a canoe.
That same night some neighbours came over asking them if they could also see afire. They got their binoculars out and could then see a fire. These same neighbours went to the island and poured many pails of water on the fire. The next day it was still smoking, so the first witness went over with some help and poured more water, and went back a least five times. They also brought back many large bags filled up with garbage after cleaning up.
Where were the parents of these teenagers?
Surely when an
overloaded boat of drinking teenagers aiming for an island, you can expect the
worst to happen. Fortunately, the boat did not overturn and nobody drowned.
This time!
Septic Tanks
Tricks of the trade!
Beware of explosions
The bacterial activity found within a septic tank produces a gas called methane which can be explosive. It is, therefore, extremely important to have a well-ventilated tank. If the interior of your septic tank needs to be inspected don't risk your life; ask a professional to do it. Nobody wants to die in a septic tank!
The water used to backwash household filtration units for drinking water
should not be discharged into the septic tank
If you treat your
drinking water, you regularly have to do a backwash to clean the filter and
keep the system working. You risk overloading your septic sewage disposal
system if you discharge that water into your septic tank.
What is the proper way to put a septic tank out of commission?
All unused septic tanks should be pumped and then filled with sand, gravel or
soil.
Beware of flooding
Do not install your septic tank where
there is possibility of flooding. Flooded septic tanks will immediately stop
functioning properly. They will also discharge suspended solids, which will
eventually clog the soil in the disposal field, affecting its ability to
filter the water. In certain areas, the only solution is to install the septic
tank above the ground. It should then be surrounded with insulation to prevent
freezing, followed by a covering of soil and seeded with grasses or flowers to
camouflage it.
Waste water and nothing else!
If a septic tank is going to
perform properly, it must facilitate maximum bacterial activity.
The
best way to maximize bacterial activity is to avoid diluting the bacteria in
the tank with large quantities of water. For example, rainwater that is
discharged into a septic tank will dilute the bacteria, which will
considerably hamper its work.
Avoid choking your septic tank
Cottage life is wonderful but
it has its drawbacks. There are no sewer disposal systems like those found in
the city. At the cottage, used water is cleaned with the help of a septic
system. In return, your septic tank, which has a very fragile stomach,
requires your help in maintaining it. A septic tank cannot digest matter that
resists decomposition and causes congestion. You simply cannot dump just
anything into your septic tank. You risk overloading your system and affecting
its efficiency. Septic tanks really dislike cigarette stubs, sanitary napkins,
greasy substances (e.g. cooking oil) and any other type of garbage that should
not be flushed down a toilet. Beware of indigestion! It is not a pretty sight
and can be very costly to repair. To avoid problems, put up a sign above the
toilet with a message intended for members of your family and your visitors.
Your septic tank will be most grateful!
Rotting garbage scattered about the metal container. Brush, broken paneling and stone dumped in the bush. Old building materials piled at road intersections. That's garbage, Perkins-sur-le-lac style.
How did we reach this point? Well, don't blame Matrec, our garbage contractors. Every Wednesday their workers go beyond their contractual obligations. They rake up the leftovers from the green bags. They pick up pieces of lumber full of rusty nails. They manhandle old fridges and stoves into the compactor.
No, the source of the problem seems to be a little closer to home. It's
us!
In the first example, the scattered garbage could have been the
result of several errors. Someone might have just thrown their green bag
beside the box rather than placing it inside, or left the top open, or have
closed it but forgotten to secure it with the bar or chain provided. If the
box was full then the best course would have been to return on Wednesday
morning just before pick up or to take the garbage to town if the person was
heading home.
It's hard to believe that a cottager or local resident would have so little respect for our environment or his or her neighbours that he or she would dump refuse in the bush. Perhaps the person thought that nature would reclaim it quickly? Perhaps he or she believed a contractor's promise to properly dispose of it?
Many of the cottages in our domain were built in the 1970's or before. Repairs and renovations are increasingly common and there is an enormous amount of construction waste around every summer. Some cottagers and many small contractors try to save the cost of commercial disposal by stuffing metal boxes with this waster or by just dumping it near the boxes or in the bush!
What we can do to clean up our act?
Here are a few suggestions:
Let's work together to be part of the solution.
Anything else - that's garbage!
Healthy, natural shorelines are full of life! They provide food, homes and shelter for plants, fish and wildlife.
Like giant sponges, healthy shorelines absorb water from rains, spring melts and run-offs to help prevent flooding and recharge wells that provide our drinking water.
I want clearn water! I'll take these actions to help keep our shorelines healthy and my water safe.
In order to accomplish this, I must:
Mayor's Brunch
The mayor's brunch will be held on September 8, 2002 at St-Louis de France Church, du Pont Road, Poltimore, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Everyone is welcome. Take advantage of this opportunity to discuss your concerns. To confirm attendance, please call 457-9400, ext. 210 or 211.
New School in St-Pierre de Wakefield Sector
The new school, located in Parc Thibault, is finally completed much to the joy of parents and students alike. After many years of fighting for a new school, it has finally come to fruition. Thanks to all who have worked toward this successful goal.
Fire Permits
Fire permits are mandatory. Everyone must obtain a fire permit to burn anything. Permits are available from Monday to Friday in the reception area at the Municipal Office. If you are caught burning a fire, especially if it spreads and firemen are called, you will have to pay a heavy fine.
Public Works
Please note the following road improvement works:
CLSC Val-des-Monts (Perkins)
Residents and cottagers alike are now able to use the services of their new
CLSC-CHSLD des Collines, located at 1884, route du Carrefour.
For
appointments or information, please call 1-819-459-1112 ext. 7750 between 8:30
am and 3:30 pm.
A committee of eight cottage owners was formed on August 12, 2001, by PSLL representative "Paul Strigner. Their objectives were to preserve their environment, develop community spirit and the exchange of information.
The committee is responsible for the maintenance of the roads, ensuring the continuing quality of their water, stocking Barnes Lake with rainbow trout, producing a director of owners, and solving, among others, garbage problems.
To develop the community spirit, a BBQ was organized at Barnes Lake beach on August 26. Fortunately, the rain deluge failed to dampen their activity as Lorraine Ethier and Pierre Desroches hosted an indoor picnic instead and fun was had by all. They are hoping to make this an annual event.
Paul L. Strigner (746-0647 home or 671-8099 cottage)
This year is the 40th anniversary of the Perkins-sur-le-lac Association. In order to celebrate this momentous event, a committee has been formed to plan several activities, one of which will be a garage sale at lac Bataille Beach. Details will be provided at the Annual General Meeting on July 21, 2002, at which time the date and events will be known. The current date being suggested for the garage sale is Saturday, August 3rd.
For those not attending the AGM, information on this event will be posted at
the beach.
Grateful acknowledgements to Odette and Lawrence Surch for their invaluable contribution to PSLL Association for many years. They have translated, revised, corrected and proofread many documents, including environmental reports AGM meeting minutes, the annual Newsletter, not to mention assisting at PSLL activities such as the annual BBQ and others.
Associations such as ours could not function without volunteers such as Odette and Lawrence.
We are always looking for new members for the Board. It is an enriching experience. Don't be afraid to contact us! Join us now!
© Association Perkins-sur-le-lac