Resort Village of Wakaw Lake Fall Newsletter – 2011
Box 58, Wakaw, SK S0K 4P0 Phone 306-233-5671 Fax 306-233-5672
Office hours: Tuesday – Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. p.m.
Office location: 126 1st Street S Wakaw, SK
Dear Fellow Lakers
We hope you have had a wonderful season at the lake. In an attempt to improve communication, we have mailed/emailed this newsletter. Please read it carefully and record important contact information for future reference.
Council Initiatives
We have completed another summer season. There have been some projects completed and others started. Plus there are still some to be started. The sand seal has been done. The front facade of the office is being upgraded and a letter slot being installed for you to drop off payments and other documents if you are in the area when the office is closed. NOTE – the change in the office hours – Tuesday – Thursday 9 am-4pm.
The winter again will be spent reviewing a number of bylaws. There are plans to establish a procedural bylaw for council and administration. The building bylaw has to be completed. These are others to be reviewed or established.
The committee that is working on the Official Community Plan has a busy winter ahead to get the final draft ready for next summer. Watch for notices for another public meeting to get your input on the proposed plan and related bylaw.
Other topics for discussion and hopefully action for next summer include building our own beach bathroom. The playground equipment is started. There are plans to add to what has been placed there.
There is a group of ratepayers who will be developing a second marina and sending their plans to Council for final approval. This marina will aid in removing the boat lifts, etc from the conservation area near the beach area. For those interested in a spot on the second marina please contact Trevor Kowalski at tkowalski@bogend.ca
Due to ongoing changes in the Resort Village there is more ‘demand’ for maintenance throughout. The current person finds that the duties take away from their summer activities. Therefore Council is considering having another person assist with village maintenance. Last year we worked with the RV park maintenance to keep the beach area cleaned. If there is someone who is interested in helping out please contact the village office for more details.
Council
For those new to the municipality we have a Council that consists of Maurice Rivard - Mayor, Jim Lucas – Deputy Mayor, Dave Galbraith – Councilor, Linton Davenport – Councilor and Craig Kihn – Councilor. Helen Martinka is our administrator. Remember that next year is an election year. Council terms are four years.
Roads
On a more positive note, Council would like once again to thank Anton Hnidy for the excellent service he provides for snow removal. Weather permitting his response time was less than a day, which is remarkable. There will be “Snow Days” when blowing snow makes clearing the road in one day quite impossible. Please be patient if you happen to be snowed in.
In other news, The Wakaw Lake Stewardship Group hopes to complete the study of the lake this year with the report and recommendations published early in 2012. This will allow Council to review it in time to incorporate them into our Community Plan. The group was very diligent is securing funds to assist with completing this study thus keeping the rate payer portion to a minimum.
Council also is involved with the Carrot River Watershed Association. One councilor has represented our resort at their meetings. This association has been very helpful in planning for run off issues and also the health of our watershed which extends far into Manitoba.
Parking: Parking on roadways is prohibited by all regulations. Council hired a Bylaw Enforcement firm this summer to help keep our road free from unauthorized parking. They spent much time getting vehicles moved and to date no one was towed. There was one that came close.
Boat Parking:
The Resort Village has set aside an area for cabin owners to park their boats (no camper trailers permitted) on village property behind Block 6 with access from Haig Street. Boat trailers found parked along the campground fence will be towed at owner’s expense.
Garbage Bins
There have been a number of concerns expressed regarding what is acceptable to put in the REACT bins provided over the summer. The garbage bins are meant for regular household garbage. The letter from REACT is posted on the website under resources. The items not permitted in the bins are to be taken to the Hoodoo landfill which is open Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Any recycle items can be taken to Wakaw where the bins are located by the Recreation Center.
Over flowing bins – IF YOU FIND A BIN FULL PLEASE TAKE YOUR GARBAGE TO ANOTHER THAT CAN HANDLE IT!!!!!(Many of you are driving to dispose of your garbage anyhow). DO NOT LEAVE GARBAGE BESIDE A BIN. There have been numerous complaints about bins being over full. We have 9 (NINE) bins place throughout the Resort Village you are not limited to just one.
Permits:
Keep in mind you do require a permit to build, move or demolish a structure. A ‘live tree’ removal permit is required before clearing trees on your property. All permits are available on our website. I wish to thank those who have been compliant in getting these forms completed and into the office.
Dog Problems:
Our Bylaw Enforcement firm has also been working on getting compliance with this bylaw. Just a reminder, that all dogs in the Resort village are required to have a dog tag. Those registered outside the municipality are accepted.
Fire Protection:
The resort village contracts its Fire Protection with the R.M. of Hoodoo. They will respond to calls calling 911.Each owner is responsible for their own fire insurance.
Site Identification:
There are several reasons to have your lot/site marked clearly. Emergency calls will be more expedient. Your pet can be returned once identified. In conjunction with this issue the village office is trying to keep up with address changes and contact information.
Sandy Point issues
A reminder to all in the Sandy Point area – it is both unsightly and illegal to dump anything in the swamp. This includes grass clippings, tree branches, etc. Also remember that the short ‘dead end’ road is to be used as a loading zone only so that each resident can have access to their cottage. Council asks that you respect those without parking in or near their cottage by not blocking any access they may have for loading zone or parking in the parking lot as well.
KEEP ALL LANES AND ROADS OPEN FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES
Have a Great Fall and Winter From your Council and staff.