On Monday Labour Day Sept 5 2022 it come to my attention that North Kawartha Economic Development Officer Chris Challenger was recomending that Council the next day pass a bylaw authorizing Mayor Amyotte and Clerk to enter into a site agreement with Rogers Communications for construction and operation of a telecommunications tower close to Jack Lake on Township property immediatel adjacent to several cottages. 2022 08 29 Report to Council from Economic Development Officer (
click here)
Location of the Proposed Cell Tower (
click here) ( another click here) 2022 09 05 Letter to NK Council expressing concern (
Click here)
2022 09 06 E mail to NK Clerk requesting info (
click here)
2022 09 08 Vote results on Tower location at Council Meeting Sept 7 2022 (
click here) The motion approved by Council is a victory for Jack Lakers who at the last minute ( Labour Day Monday) became aware of the staff report and
recommendation going to Council the next day to pass a bylaw authorizing Mayor Amyotte to execute a site plan agreement with Rogers for construction and operation of a cell tower at an unacceptable location immediately adjacent to several private waterfront property owners. The actual motion passed ( 3-2) basically does nothing by providing an "a
pproval in principal subject to consultation" with a 3rd party organization. This is a great relief... as of now ..no commitement was made by Council to lease the Township property to Rogers ...opening up the opportunity to find a more suitable site while still supporting the need for enhanced cell service which is needed.
2022 09 08 E mail to Roger's Representative requesting meeting (
click here)
2022 09 09 Breaking News another potential far more acceptable site has been suggested by a private property owner and I am hopeful and I am optimistic that potentially an acceptable site selection resolution is possible which should be satisfactory to all.. Other sites may also be proposed but I am not aware of any. Regardless of what site Rogers eventually supports, the site selection process has mandated consultation protocol intended to engage affected property owners and agencies in attempt to resolve identified issues prior to final approval.
2022 09 14 e mail to NK Council (
click here) 2022 09 18 e mail to Rogers asking for contact person (
click here)
2022 09 18 e mail to ERON (
click here)
2022 09 20 Updated recomendation staff report to NK Council (
click here)
Current Summary/Status at Sept 6 North Kawartha council meeting ...a Staff recomendation was made for Council to pass a bylaw to authorize Mayor Amyotte and clerk to execute a lease agreement for Rogers to construct and operate a cell tower on a very small muncipal property very close to Sharpes Bay of Jack lake and immediately adjacent to several cottages. Last minute objections were sumbitted by Jack Lakers and approval given by Council to execute a lease with Rogers and Council approved in a 3-2 vote the municipal site in primciple ( whatever that means) subject to consultation.
Further letters of objection we submitted for Council consideration but Mayor Amyotte would not allow them on the Sept 20 agenda.
Subsequestnly a private land owner made a generous offer to Council which could not be ignored to consider hosting the tower on very large adjacent area land holding which could accomoadate a cell tower site further from lake and cottages. At NK Council meeting Sept 20 Council discussed private land proposal including an update staff report and it was decided that the original cell tower proposal on Municipal land be paused while discussion proceeded with Rogers/or their agent Spectra Point and the private land owner. Stay tuned I am comfortable an acceptable site can be agreed on and imporoved cell service can be accomplished.
I understand another tower is proposed in the north part of Jack Lake - poossibly Callahan Bay.. but I am not involved with that file.
