Lake of Bays denies request to cover costs of replacement buoys for Peninsula Lake
Lake of Bays Council denied the request to cover costs of replacement buoys for Peninsula Lake, in the April 9, 2024, meeting.
The Peninsula Lake Community Association (PLCA) approached Council to cover the estimated $9,000 cost to replace ten out of fifteen buoys that are near the end of their lifespan at the Lake of Bays side of the lake.
PLCA representative, Lori Tersigni, told Council that Huntsville supported and will purchase new markers for their area of the lake. However, they also get them at a discounted rate.
She expressed the importance of the buoys for water safety, such as in shallow water with rocks. The markers are to warn boaters about the dangers of speeding in hazardous areas such as these.
She added that the buoys also help protect wildlife and vegetation, and that the PLCA has taken responsibility for the lake for over 30 years.
Upon inquiry about how much Huntsville paid for their buoys, PLCA member, Ken Tersigni, said the Town wouldn’t divulge that information. He added that the association doesn’t have a marina like other municipalities, such as Huntsville, to purchase the markers wholesale.
Tersigni added that Huntsville also approved the purchase of buoys through a letter, rather than voting on it though a Council meeting.
She continued that they pursued the Township about the matter because Lake Vernon got their support, so the PLCA figured they could ask for it too.
Mayor, Terry Glover, advised, “The waterways are governed by Transport Canada.”
Regarding the suggestion that Huntsville Council approved buoys for their side of the lake, he added, “I’m not sure that Council saw this at all or decided to just fund it.”
He continued that the Township has over 100 lakes and are constantly approached, including requests for signs, and indicated that taking matters into their own hands would be “compared to putting signs on highway 60,” and that they also didn’t budget funds for projects such as this.
Councillor, Nancy Tapley, inquired about where the liability falls if a boater hit a rock in the water without the buoys.
Glover suggested that supporting the buoys might make the Township liable.
CAO, Bryan Brown, advised, “There’s no question it would… We shouldn’t be doing it. This is a nice thing to do [but] it’s not our responsibility.”
He added, “They don’t carry insurance. If someone hits one and falls over someone can sue… The solicitor warned Council not to do these things.”
Glover expressed concern about how Huntsville Council “looked at it.” He added, “I’m not sure it was debated.”
Councillor, Mike Peppard, inquired about whether helping the association through a grant program would be a safer option.
Brown said, “No, because they have to disclose what money’s going to be used for. They’ll sue whoever they think they can get money from. We’re deep pockets.”
He compared it to someone on a resort going out on the water, and that it’s their responsibility to understand boating protocols, such as using a depth finder and lake bottom maps. He said it’s the person operating the boat that’s responsible for what happens.
Glover compared it to driving a car, indicating the driver is responsible for being aware of the speeds and weather. He said the person liable for boating incidents is the one with the boating licence.
Councillor, Rick Brooks, added that the Townships catchphrase is “Lake of Bays, a hundred lakes,” and that a number of them have rocks.
He also suggested that there’s also more to the initial cost of buoys, including ongoing maintenance, which they “don’t want to have ownership of.”
Glover indicated that it would impact municipal insurance as well. He said there are already a minimal number of companies that will insure municipalities. He said there’s only two that he’s aware of that will, and that the buoys would impact that cost as well.
