Skeleton Lake News

Water-Access Septic Tank Pump-outs (2nd-call)

Are you water access?  Have you had your septic tank pumped out in the last 5 years?  Give yourself some peace of mind and get it pumped out this year. Most septic systems should to be pumped out  every 3-5 years. 

The SLCO is once again organizing a septic pump out for water-access cottagers.  Muskoka Septic Services (MSS) is one of only a few remaining service providers that has a purpose-built barge available for use on Skeleton Lake.  And once again, MSS is offering a special discount to members of the Skeleton Lake Cottagers Organization.

MSS plans to be on Skeleton Lake around the 3rd week of September.  You don't need to be at your cottage as long as your tank is accessible and easy to find.  Pricing is as follows:

July 31 2020_Clothing and Photo Contest Update.pdf

July 2020_Newsletter.pdf

We know you have some great photos of summer fun at your cottage.  So we are inviting you to join in our photo contest.  Thanks to those that have already submitted their favourite pics.  The theme is 'Life at the Cottage'.  Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 photos and the SLCO Board will determine the winners.  Please submit your photos in their best possible format to photos@skeletonlake.ca.  Winners will be announced during the fall.  Please note that any submitted photos may be used in future SLCO Newsletters.

Please be advised that due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the State of Emergency declared in Ontario the SLCO has rescheduled it's Annual General Meeting (AGM) to September 15th, 2020 at 7:00pm.  

The AGM will be broadcast online using Zoom.  An AGM package and Instructions for joining the online AGM will be sent to eligible members, who are paid-up and in good standing, on or before August 25th, 2020.

If you wish to attend and vote at the meeting and to receive the AGM package, it is advisable to renew your membership by August 25th, 2020.  You can renew online at www.skeletonlake.ca or mail your renewal fee to P.O. Box 108, Utterson, ON, P0B1M0.

Thank you for your understanding in these difficult times and we look forward to having you join us.

If you have any questions, please contact our Secretary at betsy@skeletonlake.ca

At our May 15^th Board meeting, the SLCO Board of Directors made the difficult decision to cancel all of its summer events due to the ongoing pandemic and social distancing requirements.  This includes the Regatta, Sailing Race, Family Day and Bugs in the Mud.

We realize many of you will miss the annual fun and social events. However, our Recreation Committee is considering alternative activities and virtual contests that can be held while observing social distancing rules.  If you have suggestions of your own for such events please forward them to our Recreation Director Bob Smith at bob.smith@skeletonlake.ca.

While many of you start to venture back to the lake, please observe the current fire regulations and respect the local health recommendations.  Stay well, stay safe.

Regards,

Jeff Crocker

SLCO President

The purpose of this note is to inform you that the second Case Management Conference (CMC #2) for the Lippa appeals, originally scheduled for Wednesday March 25, has been postponed because of COVID-19.

We appreciate your ongoing support in our campaign to stop the proposed Lippa Pit & Quarry.  We will send out a further update as soon as we receive notification about the rescheduling of CMC #2.

Sincerely,

Skeleton Lake Cottagers Organization Board

As advised in my last communique, a Case Management Conference (CMC) took place on Thursday, November 28 in Port Carling.  A big thank you to everyone that attended the CMC.  Once again, we filled the hearing room, a clear demonstration of the community’s continuing opposition to the quarry. 

For those that were unable to attend, the CMC was procedural in nature.  None of the substantive issues were discussed.  Instead, the following key points were discussed or agreed upon:

• The Skeleton Lake Cottagers Organization (SLCO) and several others requested Party status on the second appeal; this will be decided at the next CMC.

• 46 people requested and were granted Participant status on the second appeal.  It is proposed that SLCO’s lawyer will draft a joint statement that these participants may sign, although some  participants may prefer to prepare their own written submission. 
  
  
• There was discussion about what rules govern the two appeals.

• A list of issues is to be agreed to by the Township of Muskoka Lakes and Lippa prior to the next CMC.

• The next CMC will occur on Wednesday March 25, 2020 in Port Carling.  It is scheduled to be in-person, but if sufficient progress has been made the parties could hold the CMC by conference call.

We will continue to keep you advised as more information becomes available.  In the interim, please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.  Again, thank you for the strong support at Thursday’s CMC.

Sincerely,

Jeff Crocker

President - Skeleton Lake Cottagers Organization

e:   jeff@skeletonlake.ca

c:   289 221 7903

Please follow the link to read the letter submitted today, on behalf of the SLCO, regarding the proposed changes that Bill 132 will have on the Aggregate Resources Act.

2019 11 04 Comments on ARA amendments.pdf

SLCO