Good Neighbour Guidelines

Tuesday, 14 June 2011 13:40 Kurt Reckziegel
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Good Neighbour Guidelines

Several requests have been made recently for suggested "Good Neighbour Guidelines" for residents or visitors at Lac Pilon. Some are covered by municipal By-Laws. Others are not but they are indications of expected conduct. These rules were first established by Peter Tansey in 1991. They have been updated by Kurt Reckziegel. We hope that Lakers will adhere to these rules so that the exceptional qualities of life on Lac Pilon can be maintained.

A) THE ENVIRONMENT

1. No grass sprays or weedkillers can be used. This is a municipal by-law. More importantly, they are bad for all life on and surrounding the lake. Eventually they end up in the lake and destroy the quality of life that we presently enjoy.

2. Septic tank systems must not pollute. They must meet current environmental guidelines. Check the age and type of installation. Check the filtration field. The water testing done by your Association is very helpful in identifying points of concern.

3. All campfires, hibachis and barbeques must be outside of buildings and in open, dry, well-protected areas. Large open fires need a permit from the municipality. All ashes from such fires must be thoroughly soaked with water so that no possibility exists for the spread of fire through the undergrowth. Use of a metal drum for burning is mandatory. Fireplace ashes must be disposed of in a safe manner where they cannot re-ignite - in a metal container. Plastic or paper containers melt and burn. Chimneys must be kept clear of creosote - use hard wood for burning. Chimneys must be kept clear of overhanging branches, vines and leaves.

For your safety: All houses must be equipped with smoke alarms and must have up to date fire fighting equipment in an accessible place.

4. THERE IS TO BE NO MORE DUMPING OF MATERIAL OF ANY KIND - INCLUDING WOOD AT THE RELAIS.


5. Do not use the lake as a toilet. No washing of clothes or hair should be done in the lake. Do not throw papers, cigarette butts or other debris in the lake. Most lakers use lake water in their house - many drink the water. Although your Association tests the water for recreational purposes ( the quality is excellent ) it does not comment on the quality of the water for drinking purposes. It is recommended Lakers test their water - at the faucets yearly.

6. Rock Island is open for all to use - but do not pollute it with your garbage. Take it home! The island is certainly not for use as a toilet.

7. A municipal permit is needed to cut trees above a certain circumference. Do not clear cut to the water. Do not destroy the natural environment lakeside which allows the lake to remain a viable ecological system supporting plants, animals, birds, insects and, yes, humans. Adhere to the Government restrictions on lakefront houses with regard to distances from the lake, from the public road, from the neighbor's lot line, from the septic tank, from the wells, etc.

8. There is municipal By-Law which forbids gas-driven motors on Lac Pilon. 3 to 5 hp. electric boat motors are allowed.

9. If heating with oil check your oil tanks because any over 10 years old need replacing. A rupture of one of these tanks could ruin the water quality of Lac Pilon for many years.

10. Your Association has been stocking the lake with fish for the benefit of those lakers who pursue this hobby. Do not use minnows and, especially, do not dump any into the lake as this will create havoc amongst the type of fish your Association wants to nurture.

B) THE ROADS

11. Vehicle speeds around the lake or even on private property should be very low. Your Association worked very hard to get the speed limit reduced to 50kmh. and to have guard rails installed. Do your part! . Also remember animals cross the road when you least expect them. Chemin du Lac Pilon has seen some accidents that could easily have resulted in death. Be aware - especially at night or in fog or reduced visibility.

For the safety of your neighbors, especially our children, and yourself and your family: drive slowly and carefully.

12. Do not park on a roadway or parking area in such a way as to block other vehicles. Do not park on Chemin du Lac Pilon. This is forbidden at all times especially in the winter months. Special events require a municipal permit.

13. Do not use your horn, unless absolutely necessary, while driving on Chemin du Lac Pilon.

14. Chemin du Lac Pilon has a solid yellow line in the middle - this means no passing at any time - this is a municipal by-law.

15. It is not advisable to put your name at the entrance of your driveway - criminals can, with your name and a cell phone, phone to see if there is anyone at home. It is recommended that you install a security system.

C) SWIMMING AND BOATING

16. People who cannot swim should not use canoes, sailboats or sailboards. All users of these boats should wear lifejackets. You can be an excellent swimmer but circumstances might not allow you to swim. Boats or other vessels should not be overcrowded. People who cannot swim should wear lifejackets in rowboats or pedal boats. Carrying a life ring in the boat is another good precaution.

17.No one should swim alone

18.People who go on long-distance swims should be accompanied by a boat.

19.Poor swimmers or children who must wear life jackets must not go far from shore. Children too young for such responsibility should not be left in charge of other younger children. Adult supervision is required whenever children are near deep water.

20. Be careful of rocks. There are many around the lake. They can cause a boat to sink! They are hard on heads and legs too. Do not dive unless you know the depth of the water and that there are no rocks or other debris like old trees. The ends of broken off branches on trees under the water can be extremely dangerous.

21.Canoes should be taken out of the water and turned over when not in use.

22. Paddles and oars and motors should be removed from the boat and stored away from the boats. Boats are harder to steal that way.

23. Mark your boat with your civic number so that if it gets away from you your neighbors can notify you.

D) THE NATURE

24. The forest is beautiful but it is also dangerous. Do not get lost. It is very easy to do so. Several local residents who know the area well have gotten lost and not been found for days! Do not wander deep into the woods in summer or winter. Stay on the wonderful trail system built by your fellow lakers. Preferably never go alone or if you do take a walkie-talkie or cellular phone with you. Be quiet! enjoy nature and nature might reward you with a sighting of an animal in its natural habitat.

23. Watch out for dead trees, especially those dried out by acid rain. They may break off and fall in the least wind.

25. Do not walk on any lake in spring, fall or winter unless you are sure the ice is thick enough. If in doubt, investigate the thickness of the ice and use snowshoes or skis to be sure you are acting safely and prudently. This is especially true between the islands and around large rocks and the edges of the lake - the ice tends to be thinner there and melts quickly.

26. In winter, be careful of the windchill factor. Noses and faces can freeze in seconds in extreme weather.

E) GARBAGE

27. Garbage collection is on the calendar. Your Association recommends that temporary residents take their garbage home and permanent residents only put their garbage out on the morning of collection. This is necessary to discourage bears from frequenting our area. Your garbage must be place in the new green bins - bags will no longer be picked up. Recyclable material will be picked up every second Friday. This must be in the blue bins. Separate items will no longer be picked up. The bins must be placed within 1.5m. of the edge of the road. The front of the bins must face the road to enable pick-up by automated machinery. Never use someone else's containers.

28. Do not feed raccoons or other animals, even squirrels. They may be dangerous to your health and are extremely hard to dislodge once they get inside a house where they can do a lot of damage.

F) INSIDE THE HOUSE

29. Heating is costly. Turn down the heat to 50°F or 10°C when you leave the house for more than one day in winter. Turn off the hot water heater when you leave. Programmable Electronic thermostats are recommended.

30. Turn off lights, stove burners and other electrical appliances when you leave the house. Install and leave on the outside security light on automatic. Install a burglary and fire alarm hooked up to a central station. Leave a key with a neighbour for emergencies.

31. Most water used is from the lake. If you use it for drinking make sure it is filtered and/or sterilized. Have it tested yearly at the faucet to check if it is safe to drink.

32. Fireplaces are great but they can readily be overheated. Make sure fireplace doors are closed or screens in place before you go to sleep

33. Do not pile firewood or papers close to the fireplace. Keep them at least 6 feet or 2 meters away. They can readily catch fire.

34. Smoke detectors are vital. Do not remove the batteries to deactivate them. Check batteries regularly. Do not build such a big fire that the smoke makes them sound off. If you have a second floor keep a foldable ladder handy. Have a fire drill with your family once a year.

35. All chimneys should be cleaned annually. Creosote may build up very quickly in the chimney. Chimney fires are a very common cause of many disastrous fires. Remember, we could all be victims of a forest fire caused in this manner. Key: get everyone out and call 911 before you attempt to fight the fire.


G) COMMON MANNERS

•    Enjoy yourself but remember your neighbors!
•    Keep the noise down on the lake - radios, TV's, singing, musical instruments, tools such as: chain saws, lawn mowers, circular saws, wood and stone cutters, cement mixers, compressors, drills, etc.
•    Adjust your outside lights so that you do not shine onto other persons' property or down to the lake where it reflects to other areas
•    Respect other persons' property - do not use boats, wharves, etc. without their permission
•    If you are having a party - great - but respect your neighbors - let them know in advance - better still invite them
•    Respect the week-ends and holiday season - many lakers have only these days for their time of rest, relaxation and tranquility

Finally, do unto others what you would want others to do unto you! An old adage but still appropriate!

Last Updated on Tuesday, 28 August 2012 13:07