It’s time again for my annual Christmas message. Hard to believe how quickly the year has passed. 2022 was another very eventful year in Seawood Estates. Some of it good and some of it not so.
On the positive side I am pleased to chronical that:
For what I am sure is a first, every owner paid their 2022 Road Maintenance fees! And we collected the past due amounts from three owners who had not fully paid their 2021 fees!
We expended $57,875 on road improvements and road scrapings. This included: a) 400 meters of resurfaced roads on Burns, Bayview and Seawood Dr b) pavement on the first 40 meters of Seawood Drive at our entrance c) 4 scrapings which included 3 loads of gravel.
SEAL filed income and HST tax returns for the first time in 2022 and were successful in getting a $6,072 HST refund and not owing any income taxes. We also negotiated a $4,000 grant from Canada Post which is expected shortly to help with the paving costs at the entrance.
SEAL membership grew from 22 at January 1,2022 to 75 as of today and SEAL conducted a survey to gage owner satisfaction with SEAL takeover of road maintenance responsibilities. Survey results indicated that owners were happy with the progress to date on our 8/9 year plan to redo the roads but undecided on whether or not to accelerate the plan.
Our annual general meeting on August 8, 2022 was a success with a good turn out and good weather! At the meeting we provided a full transparent accounting for the year 2021 and interim results to July 31/22.
Snowplowing, insurance coverage and lawn mowing of the common areas was completed in a satisfactory manner and SEAL hired a new bookkeeper for the 2023 billing season.
Construction of 5 or 6 homes was completed and a further 5 or 6 are now under construction. The pace of change continues with approximately 15 ownership changes since August 2021 and some 6 homes now listed for sale on MLS and/or sold but not yet closed.
The Book Club had a successful season with a combination of in person and Zoom meetings and SEAL volunteers repainted the mail hut
Unfortunately, some serious RAIN FELL and continues to fall on our parade!
FIONA took out hundreds of mature trees, several sets of steps to the shore and damaged some structures. Thankfully to my knowledge no injuries were reported. At this juncture clean up is still not complete but, through the lobbying efforts of SEAL and some owners, the Province agreed to pick up road side tree debris and this large task was recently completed somewhat earlier than many expected.
The normal run off of rain and snow melt continues to cause safety and convenience problems particularly on the dirt roads, The water on roads is especially bad around some recently built homes where de-forestation, grading and the addition of top soil to build new lawns has added to the run off problem. Clearly better ditching is the answer and while we will work to achieve this over time owners need to do their part now by way of culverts under driveways, catchment pools etc. to help solve the problem. Owners are reminded of their building permit requirements regarding water runoff management. Please ensure water generated on your property is absorbed on your land.
Things to keep in mind!!
To combat the effects of inflation road maintenance fees are increasing by 8%. The 2023 rates are:
Permanent- $680, Seasonal- $455, Vacant- $255, Commercial $3,402. While 8% may seem high to some already by way of example we are faced with a 10% increase in our snow plowing bill for the winter of 2022/23. This increase is on top of a 7.5% increase for the 2021/22 winter. You should receive your 2023 invoice in January. If your e-mail address or mail address has changed in the last year, please let us know. Prompt payment of invoices will allow us to get the bulk of our capital improvements done hopefully in May or early June.
It is time again for many of us to renew our SEAL memberships. Fees for 2023 are unchanged @ $40. Payment is preferred via e-transfer to [email protected] or alternatively by cheque payable to SEAL C/O 2115 Blacksmith Lane, Oakville, ON L6M 3A4. If you are unsure of your payment status contact Lynn Reed at [email protected]. Multiple year payments are acceptable and a convenient way for many owners to participate.
Be sure to visit our website seawoodestates.ca and be sure to access the “members only” section if you are a SEAL member. Also join our FaceBook group Seawood Estates Property Owners and Residents.
Many people, especially kayakers, will want to see the steps off Bayview to the shore which were destroyed by Fiona and originally built by SEAL, rebuilt hopefully for next summer. SEAL will be looking into how best to facilitate that. Suggestions are welcomed.
Let us know if you have any thought or ideas to better our community. Our team which I would like to personally thank for their efforts over the last year is: Lynn Reed, Treasurer SEAL; Laurie Dunbar, Secretary SEAL; Michael Kilzs, Vice-President SEAL; Carla Campbell, Resident Member, SEAL; Peter Fullerton, Past President, SEAL; Joanne Poirier- Member SROC, Joanne MacDonald, Member SROC, Craig Gallant, Member SROC, and Henry Victor, Member SROC
On behalf of SEAL and SROC, I wish all Seawood Estates property owners and their guests a joyous holiday season and a happy and healthy 2023.