Lagoon Project Update

The Resort Village's application for funding under the Infrastructure Program to assist with the construction of 2 sewage lagoons has been approved. The lagoons are designed to serve the needs of the community for the next 25 years. They are also designed to accept sewer lines in the event this becomes a reality down the road. We are now in the process of tendering the project so that construction can start as early as possible in 2006. The lagoons must be completed by March 31, 2007.

Main Street Truck Route

The need to improve traffic on Main Street remains a high priority with council. The action plan presently in place is to reduce heavy truck traffic. This will be done by diverting the sewage truck traffic from the west side of the lake to the new sewage lagoon. Main Street and east side sewage traffic will be directed to the present lagoon site. The new sewage lagoons, when completed, will enable the Village to reduce heavy truck traffic on Main Street by approx. 50% Truck traffic to and from the industrial lots will be diverted to the new truck route via Hwy 120. This road is presently being constructed to extend the landfill site road. The wet weather prevented the Resort Village from completing the road this summer. We expect the road to be in service by summer 2006. When this road is complete, heavy truck traffic will decrease substantially. We will then proceed to widen Main Street. Any construction will be staggered to avoid the summer season. Possible start up dates for the improvements are Sept/Oct 2006. The project will be completed as time permits.

Comparison of the Resort Villages Taxable Assessment to other Communities in Saskatchewan

The chart shows that Candle Lake's assessment is higher than the Town of Shellbrook, the Town of Tisdale, the Town of Hague, and the Town of Esterhazy. Candle Lake's population peaks in excess of 8000 during the summer months. Candle Lake is unique in that the Resort Village covers and area of approximately 28 miles (Van Impe to Minowukaw). The Resort Village is able to provide services to its residents with fewer staff per capita than most of the towns recorded above.

We made an effort to compare Candle Lake to other Resorts, such as Long Lake, Turtle Lake, etc. This was not possible as Long Lake consists of approx. 16 Resorts, 9 of which are organized Hamlets. The Villages are considerably smaller than Candle Lake. Turtle Lake is much the same and under the jurisdiction of the RM of Mervin.

Village Capital Expenditure

Early in 2005 the Resort Village upgraded the Grader at a cost of $114,000.00 difference. A Backhoe was purchased for $40,000.00. We also acquired a used tandem gravel truck from the RM of Birch Hills at a cost of $10,000.00. A used crew cab was also purchased for $2,200.00. A shelter for the equipment was constructed at a cost of $14,000.00, and $4500.00 was spent erecting a fence around the grave yard. In addition the Resort Village leased a new 1/2 ton for the Building Inspector / Bylaw Enforcement Officer. A 2004 1/2 ton was purchased for the sum of $14,250.00 difference for the Roads and Maintenance division. All of the equipment was badly needed and it was used extensively through out the year.

The weather was not co-operative this year, so there is lots of work still outstanding. A late fall provided us with an opportunity to work on drainage issues. Over $30,000.00 has been expensed for culverts. Drainage will be on the priority list in 2006, and further expenditures for culverts will be necessary.

Improvements at the landfill site are now complete. We have received many compliments on the condition of our landfill site

2005 Bylaws

This year the Resort Village passed Bylaws dealing with ATV’s, Noise and Public Misbehavior. Some zoning issues were also cleared up. Copies of these Bylaws are available to anyone upon request.

Downtown Commercial Lots and Industrial Lots – Stages 1 & 2

Development of the downtown commercial site is progressing to council's expectations. Northgate Credit Union opened for business late December 2004. Construction of a car wash / rental store is also in progress. There are plans for the construction of a small office space mall. Of the 6 lots that were made available for sale, three are still on the market.

Phase 1 of the industrial lots sold out rapidly. The lots were made available to the public to encourage economic growth in the community, and to provide land for business operations to relocate from residential areas to properly designated sites. To encourage relocation and promote economic development, the Resort Village offered a 5 year tax exemption. This is a common practice for communities through out Saskatchewan. We now have a number of new businesses which offer services that were not available before. We no longer have heavy equipment operating out of residential areas etc. We commend the businesses (new & old) that have located to the industrial site.

As at date of writing the Resort Village has a new inventory of industrial lots (stage 2) for sale. Considerable interest has been expressed for these lots. No tax concessions are being granted for stage 2.

Concerning the 16 R2 (multiple family) lots on Torch Lake, a number of people have expressed some interest. Lot sales are being handled by the Resort Village's Law Firm. A December 6, 2006 deadline is in place for prospective buyers who earlier expressed an interest to purchase property, to make final arrangements with the Law Firm.

RCMP Update

No new development to report. To our knowledge the date of relocation still remains 2006/2007.

Relocation could be sped up if premises were available. To our knowledge the RCMP will consider a long term lease for premises.

Response to the Directors of the Candle Lake Ratepayers Cooperative

Our response is directed to the July 2005 newsletter, the August 28, 2005 meeting and the August 28, 2005 minutes. The July 2005 newsletter stated the purpose of the Candle Lake Ratepayers Cooperative is as follows:

We have no plans to construct lagoons on property outside our boundaries, as the Directors informed an adjacent RM.

Directors of the Ratepayers Co-op should not be using the Co-op as a stage to pursue personal agendas. Ratepayers should be aware that 4 to 5 of the present Directors have some form of conflict with the Resort Village. The conflicts vary from infractions of Zoning and Building Bylaws to property assessments in which they have no interest on title.

"Mayors Responsibility under the Urban Municipal Act." My responsibility must include the need to notify the taxpayers of the community that the demands made by the Directors of the Ratepayers Co-op are not only outside their own guide lines, but illegal. The Ratepayers Co-op was not a legal entity at the date of the July newsletter. A Co-op must be registered under the Co-op Act with the province. The President of the Co-op acknowledges this in his October 14, 2005 letter to the Ratepayers, stating that the registration has been restored. In the meantime Council had to deal with a number of requests from the Directors, one being for information, considered inappropriate under the privacy act.

Can the Ratepayers Co-op operating under their mission statement be of assistance to Council? By all means. Why not ask council how the Ratepayers can assist to improve cell service? How can we assist to establish uniform telephone land line installation costs in the Resort Village? What can we do to bring high speed internet into the community? How can we get the highways improved? How can we assist in promoting / obtaining much needed services in the community? How can we reduce School Taxes? How can we have improvements to beaches and boat launches?

Concerning the Aug. 28/05 meeting, once again, refer to the stated mission statement of the Co-op. It is Councils responsibility to deal with matters concerning administration. We have not appointed any of the Directors of the Ratepayers Co-op to be a spokesperson for the Resort Village. For this we retain a law firm. It is not up to the Directors of the Co-op to discuss the performance of any of the Resort Villages personnel. This is Councils responsibility.

In short if the Directors of the Ratepayers Co-op stand by their 'Mission Statement', we can all work towards goals that will be positive for the community. The current Directors approach is one that will be the demise of your organization.

Message from the Councilors

Bob Sajtos -- As Councilor in charge of Emergency Measures, Search and Rescue and Fire Smart, I take this opportunity to wish all residents of our community a safe and Merry Christmas Season, and the best in the New Year.

The safety of our citizens is most important to us all. I especially stress the safety of children. Remember we share our living space with wildlife, such as deer, bear and wolves. Signs of cougars have been seen outside the Resort Village boundaries. While we have not had any incidents, it is in our best interest to be aware that wildlife abounds here and should always be treated with care and caution.

This is also the beginning of snowmobile season. Again please ensure that the use of these machines by children is closely supervised. The lake and other bodies of water are especially treacherous. Please be aware of the thickness of the ice.
Should you need some wood for the holidays, please give me a call and I will show you where it is located in our Fire Smart areas.

Finally the safety of your home or cottage is also important. Please ensure that it is secure. Having someone making regular checks of the premises can prevent problems.

Again the best of the season.

Submitted by Bob Sajtos (929-4968)

Etta Sackney -- As your Councilor, besides the day to day business of Candle Lake Municipal affairs, I have been given responsibility for Health Services, First Responders, Wapiti Library and SUMA representative.

2005 has been rather a frustrating year in trying to have added Health Services at Candle Lake. The government has finally given the Prince Albert Parkland Health Region the finances to hire staff for the Primary Health Care Project that we have been lobbying for so long. The project is to be in operation by Spring 2006 which will include a Physician at least weekly and other disciplines such as Public Health, Physio-Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Diabetic Councilor, etc.

First Responders are an integral part of our Emergency Services along with Volunteer Firefighters, Search and Rescue and EMO. They are well trained and have done excellent work in time of crises. We continue to seek persons who are interested in becoming a First Responder and hope to have another course with Parkland Ambulance. Best Wishes for a Happy, Healthy and Safe Christmas and New Year to celebrate with Family and Friends.

There have been several break-ins this past fall. My insurance agent passed along a few tips that may help alleviate your risk while away:

Submitted by Etta Sackney (929-4471)