So far, the webcams continue to function and have provided some great views of the lake as fall moves into winter. Ice has been forming on the lake most mornings, but afternoon winds melt much of it. Monday morning the 16th it was easy to see what was ice covered as there had been a dusting of snow. No big winds predicted although it got warmer on Monday. Now to see what happens for the next few days. The west side of Moira Lake (Madoc) is 100% ice covered and there are already ATV tracks and ice fishing huts out on it.
Attended Limerick Council on Monday the 16th. The meeting was brief with no new by-laws or shoreline road allowances to be discussed. The new library manager was back to ask for a small increase in funding for 2025. We are 7% of the population served but have been paying only 3% of the budget. Unfortunately, much like the last 35 years, things are taking longer with the current negotiations with Limerick Estates than expected. There was no new public information available. The subject was back on the closed meeting agenda, and they hope to have information that can be released publicly at the February meeting. (There is no January council meeting) One operational change coming is that Wollaston will be taking over fire protection for a small corner of Marmora-Lake Twp. (Dickey Lake area) that Limerick has been covering for a number of years. That change is revenue neutral. Mayor Carson has indicated that she plans to run for re-election in 2026. Hopefully the LWRA Board will vote to support her campaign once again.
Kind of sad news in that the owners of 7/62 Brewing in Madoc have decided to sell. They remain open for now but not sure for how much longer. I am sure the closure on Russel St. all summer greatly affected their business in 2024. Russel St. is once again open so there is no detour in Madoc any longer.
The municipality is planning a public information session on Invasive Species in April. Probably at the April 21st council meeting.
EOTA and OFATV multiuse trails are now closed as the OFSC prepares for the opening of snowmobile season. Do not drive wheeled vehicles on the OFSC trails.
Still no confirmation as to whether the new Rogers tower is active or not.
Just received word from Mayor Carson that St. Ola Station general store is open for fuel sales. We have been without a local gas station for just over two years since Trudys closed. Two thumbs up to the owners for managing their way through a mountain of red tape. Please support them and buy your fuel locally. The store is located on the south-east corner of St. Ola Road and Hwy. 62. For you snowmobile riders, they are just a few feet off the Hastings Heritage Trail at MM 102.
The municipality is on winter burning rules. Daytime burning is allowed with fires up to 6 feet by 6 feet. This continues through March 31.
The dump is on winter hours. It is open Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday and holiday Mondays from 11AM to 4:30PM.
The 2025 fishing regulations are now available on the Ontario.ca website. The Limerick chain of lakes remains at the very south end of fisheries zone 15. Bass season opens June 28, 2025 and closes November 30. Lake trout season opens January 1, 2025 and closes September 30. The Limerick chain of lakes has a "slot size" for lake trout that MUST be returned to the lake if caught. It is roughly 16 to 22 inches. It is also a "one line" lake when ice fishing.
