More clouds than sun on Sunday. A bit of light rain in the morning and a few heavier, brief showers late in the afternoon. The sun did peek through for a few minutes in the early evening. Monday is starting out mostly overcast with a south-easterly breeze already blowing. They say it will be mostly cloudy with a 60% chance of rain and thunderstorms throughout the day and into this evening. Mid-week is forecast to be nicer with a couple of sunny days if we are lucky. Sunny days have been in short supply this spring. The seven-day outlook is not the best for the holiday weekend, but not a total washout either.
A few weeks back I mentioned here that Rogers was offering a special internet access package for cottagers. However, what was promised did not appear on the Rogers website. On Friday I received an e-mail from FOCA with the links to the special package for FOCA (in our case LWRA members are automatically FOCA members) only. I have put a link on the LINKS page of this website to download the information and sign up for 5G cellular internet at the special rate and terms for cottage association members only. Not an LWRA member? Go to the LWRA website and join. You will save back the $50 membership fee in just a few months with this special offer.
Took a boat ride on the 7th and sampled the spring on Mephisto Lake. Dropped the sample off at the health unit in Belleville that afternoon. Check back for the results. (usually takes about a week) Last fall it failed badly. Hopefully is has been cleaned up enough to now pass.
The black flies are awake and biting. Time for a hiatus on yard work except for very windy days.
The multi-use trail system is open for ATV riding. Check OFATV and EOTA websites for more information. Limerick Township maintains two parking and unloading lots. One across from the municipal building at 89 Limerick Lake Road, the other at 643 Limerick Lake Road. Folks from OFATV were at Queens Park on Wednesday lobbying for a unified pass and trail system in the province.
Transport Canada is seriously looking at making the wearing of PFDs while boating mandatory. The issue was discussed at the FOCA AGM in March. There was a "sort of" public input period back around Christmas that is now closed to comments. There will be another public comment period in the near future. The interesting statistic is that the vast majority of boating fatalities are among men, 65 to 80 yrs. old while in a boat under 18 feet long. It is not kids or teens. (only 11% of fatalities are people under 25) A further breakdown of the fatalities is that the person falls out (or is thrown out) of the boat, not that the boat sinks. That is why just having the PFD in the boat is ineffective. I rescued a person in the water after a swamping years ago on a California lake and in that case the PFDs all floated away and were quickly out of reach in a brisk wind. The person I pulled out of the water was clinging to the somewhat buoyant gas tank.
Summer fire regulations are 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)
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.)
The dump is operating on summer hours through August 31. It is open Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday and holiday Mondays from 11AM to 6PM. Remember, Council shortened the evening hours from 8PM to 6PM last year.
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.
