Not a very nice day on Thursday. Overcast and on and off drizzle all day. The only redeeming feature was that the wind stopped around lunch time and by mid-afternoon the lake was mirror calm for several hours. Friday is starting out overcast once again. They say it will start to rain anytime now and rain for at least most of the morning. The weekend should be nicer, but a bit cooler too. It is always a gamble to hook up the cottage water system and then head home this time of year. Mornings in the low 20F range are not out of the question at this latitude. In the meantime, firewood cutting, and leaf raking continue while there are no bugs.
Forgot to mention that there is a nice, newer, rectangular dock with fold up swim ladder floating around the north-east end of the lake. It is currently tied up at 754 Pleasure Bay Rd.
The Limerick Township fire department is holding a community preparedness day on May 4th from 11AM to 1PM at the community center on hwy 620. Along with information on the Fire Smart program, there will also be info (and kits available) for the WASP fixed sprinkler fire prevention system.
The lake is almost back to normal depth for this time of year with the recent heavy rains. It has gone up 7 inches and is only a few inches lower than a year ago. It will typically drop about 1/2 inch per day in between rainstorms.
Not much happening at Council on Monday. I was back to being the only spectator in the audience. Not even any on-line spectators this month. Half load restrictions on the roads should be lifted April 29. That means it will be possible to get heavy deliveries after that. If I heard things properly there is a 5.45% tax increase this year. That is in line with other surrounding municipalities. The entire budget is available on the municipal website. And Council voted to join in protesting that the province might possibly eliminate free drinking water testing. They will be joining a number of CAs and municipalities that hope to keep drinking water testing free and easily accessible.
We are entering the peak of the Lyrids meteor shower over the next few nights. (actual peak is the 22nd) They appear to come from the north-east.
The marina launch ramp is in good condition. Please be mindful of mud around the marina parking lot and try not to make a mess for the owners. (Remember when I used to complain about that in the spring?)
Summer fire regulations are now in effect. No day burning. The municipality will not be issuing any burn permits through the summer. Nighttime fires are to be kept under 2 meters by 2 meters in size. (That is 6 X 6 to me)
The Limerick Friends Club is having a chicken and pork dinner on April 20th at 5:30PM at the community center. Cost is $20. More info on their Facebook page. The food is always great, and it is a good way to meet your neighbors too.
July 13th is the annual fund-raising dinner for the North Hastings Community Fish Hatchery. I have attended this event many times and it is always a lot of fun and supports "non-government" stocking of fish in our local lakes. (but not Limerick as our lake supports a healthy fish population without needing any help) Attendance is limited to around 280 people, and it always sells out. More information on their website: fishhatchery.ca
Information from FOCA on the Underutilized Housing Tax:
Underused Housing Tax (UHT) Updates
As part of the federal governments Fall Economic Statement released last week, most Canadian corporations, partnerships, and trusts have become “excluded owners” for UHT purposes, and no longer need to file the tax form annually; however, American owners of Canadian seasonal properties are still implicated in the filing requirements. Additionally, on October 31st, the UHT filing deadline for the 2022 calendar year was extended to April 30, 2024. (Note that filing for calendar 2023 will also be due on that date.)
There is a new general store, St. Ola Station, at the corner of St. Ola Rd. and Highway 62. The store is located in the former "Sams Place" restaurant building. It is open seven days a week with groceries, baked goods, take out prepared foods, lottery tickets, and much more. They are not a restaurant. The owners recently got their LCBO approval and now have beer, wine, and spirits. They are still working on their MTO approval to sell gasoline, but as of now they do not have fuel. Nearest fuel is the gas station in Coe Hill.
The dump is open: Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday and Holiday Mondays 11AM to 4:30 during winter hours. Summer hours start May 1.
The Limerick chain of lakes is in fisheries zone 15. 2024 regulations start on page 102 of the MNRF regulations book. Bass season will open on June 22. Lake trout season opened on January 1 and will close September 30. Please remember that 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.
