We have had a number of enquiries from cottage owners wondering if the Band has made any changes to its restrictions based on the Province’s lifting of its state of emergency.
We have been in touch with Band administration and are told there have been and will be no changes at this time.
We have been assured that we will be notified if there are changes approved by Chief and Council. As soon as we are notified we will let everyone know by way of a post on the SCOI website.
Thank you for your patience and your support.
any word if there will be any lease fee adjustments based on the simple fact that we pay 100% of the lease fee and get less than 100% access?
Tony,
There will not be a lease reduction. The lease you signed clearly states that there will be no reduction no matter the reason. The lease is with Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) and not with the Band, so the Band cannot make changes to the lease, including the lease amount.
Any word from the band when lease extensions and increases will become released. I am aware February was stated before but we are now half way through.
Dave,
Nothing yet but we expect something by the end of February.
Are property checks still being done?
And are police allowed to to check if not?
Yes, Winter Patrol and private security checks have been going on and will continue. If they or Cancom see that there is a break-in in progress or there has been one, they will call the police. However, the OPP are not checking your property. That is what winter patrol is for.
what if you do not have winter patrol? are you basically out of luck?
Tony,
You can still sign up for Winter Patrol but you will have to pay the full season rate. Cottage association members get an excellent deal but Property Checks does not prorate their cottage association fee.
You can also contract with them directly but that will be much more expensive even now.
To get signed up via a cottage organization, you need to contact your local association. If you are not a member, you will have to become a member. There is a form on the SCOI website under local associations.
Hi Tony,
I hired a local person known to the Band who I pay per cottage check since mid January. I was not going to back pay Winter patrol for services I didn’t use. I think we’ve all had enough of that this past year . Let me know if you want the contact info.
Also, Grey Bruce is moving to yellow zone on Tuesday. Cottagers on municipal land will access their cottages. Certainly hope the Band will agree to follow suit, as we can all continue to adhere to PH guidelines.
We would hope that as representatives of the members of SCOI you would seek further clarification as to when the chief would open things up. Would he open up access next week when the SOE and lockdown restrictions are dropped by the province? Some of us like to use our cottages regularly during the winter and it would help if we had an idea of when we can return.
Alan,
Our message stated that we had consulted with Band administration and they have indicated there will be no change at this time.
Should the Chief and Council make a change we will advise.
In response to the comment Sue made on Feb 13th. The seasonal price Property Checks charge to cottage owners through the Association Contract is based on 14 checks over 7 months. It would not be reasonable to assume that you would be entitled to the same discounted price if you require fewer checks. If you had joined in mid-January the breakdown for the 7 checks you would have received would be $13.00 per check including HST. I feel this is still an extremely reasonable price to have a registered business that is fully insured to be on your property and complete the checks required. If your comment “I think we’ve all had enough of that this past year” is directed at Property Checks I have had no complaints with cottage owners that join late because I think they all understand that the seasonal price being charged even joining late is still very reasonable for the services I provide.
Trent Skinner
Property Checks
Hi Trent,
There are several cottagers that are not a part of the Association , and therefore would not receive the rate you are quoting, is my understanding but correct me if I am wrong. Also, cottagers like myself never sign up for winter patrol because we utilize the 10 days per month during the off season and therefore, can be much more present on the property. The SOE was implemented mid week, with 24 hr notice, which left many cottagers scrambling to close down, or do what they needed to do and that was not ok IMO.
I will clarify that my comment about “we have all had enough”, was not directed to you specifically, so my apologies if thats how it came across. It means, that since the multiple lockdowns, cottagers have incurred unexpected expenses for the past year in many ways, whether it be paying for another place when they have normally been able to stay at the cottage, hiring security services when they don’t normally do so (Camcon drive bys don’t count), and losing a months’s cottage access last year, and now the 10 days per month as per lease agreement. Covid is no one’s fault, it is what it is. We know that the lease can’t be changed, nor can we be financially compensated for the time lost. That is not the Band’s fault, but the Band does have the discretion to open back up at the exact same time the province lifts the SOE, and not prolong closures or deny access without fair justifications. Thats where I think some extra frustrations lie. Hope that clarifies my comment.
Hoping and praying that as the province starts to lift, the reserve does also. Our build is at a stand still and worried about what animals may have taken up residence not to mention heat running so foundations don’t heave. Such a stressful time. ☹️
is there anything allowed?? from what i understand even house maintenance is not allowed.???
is there a list or link to better explain.
Please refer to our January 14, 2021 post.
Sue
Thanks for the clarification. You can join the Association at anytime and receive the discounted price. I did have some people joining in January because of the lock down and I understand the frustration this lock down has caused for those who enjoy and check on their cottages through the winter months. The fee to join the Associations is minimal and the services they provide like this website makes it well worth the price. My services are available outside the Association and pricing is based on location and services required. Pricing outside the Association is still very reasonable but you are correct that the discounted price is only available to those who join the Association. I appreciate you taking the time to respond to my comment and I hope everyone is allowed back to their cottages as soon as possible.
Thanks Trent, I will certainly keep you in mind for next year….covid free I hope!!
My cottage is my principal address. I live in Wiarton in the winter. I’ve been doing home checks for 6 cottages at Chief’s Point up until lockdown. Do I have to register as a property checker? I’d be happy to take on more properties if we aren’t limited to certain companies.
Laurie,
South Sauble, French Bay and Block B each have contracts with Property Checks of Sauble Beach. As you are aware, Chief’s Point cottagers make their own arrangements. The Property Checks contracts do not forbid individual cottage owners from making their own arrangements and some do contract with other security services, especially if they have alarms and video surveillance. These contractors have Band approval to continue their inspections during the lockdown.
You should check with Kirk Roote at the Land Management office to see if you qualify to continue your inspections during the lockdown.
Kirk’s number is 519-797-3039 and his e-mail is kirk.roote@saugeen.org
Those interested in contacting Laurie can contact her at Laurieg2001@gmail.com
I understand the current chief`s position, but I would like to have a better understanding of the criterion which will trigger a change allowing us to go to our cottages. Last spring we were allowed to return when the state of emergency (SOE) was lifted. Well that is happening next week. Is it when the lockdown is lifted which again will happen next week?. Is it when the local case load is low which it already is? What has to happen for the chief to change his position? It can`t simply be arbitrary as that is unacceptable! I think this is something which the chief should identify. This will help cottagers plan their return.
Alan,
These are reasonable questions. However we don’t know the answers and neither will the Chief until sometime after the next Band Council meeting to decide what comes next. One thing is certain … the decision will not be arbitrary.
When we know, you will know. Then your planning can begin.
Great points Alan. I recall the SOE ending May 12th last year actually, with the stage 1 re opening phase occurring up to and around the May long weekend, (May 19th) . Cottagers in the region were starting to go up then. We were restricted until June 1st, not sure why the 2 plus week delay…may not be a big deal for some, but it is for others. Hoping for no unnecessary delays after the 16th!
Actually the previous State Of Emergency in Ontario was in effect from March 21 2020 up to and including July 24 th 2020. I believe it was the stay at home that ended May 2020?
If more cottagers supported property checks (Trent Skinner) who does an excellent job checking all doors and windows and snow load on roofs in all kinds of weather perhaps the very reasonable rates would remain for next winter.. Thanks Trent for doing an excellent job for the past several years.
Sandy and Barry
Thank you so much for the kind words. I do my very best to look after each cottage and its so nice to know that my efforts are noticed. Yes the price for this season will remain the same for next season at $91.00. Stay safe and healthy.
The band is just trying to keep everyone safe. They are probably doing a better job than our governments have done in the past year… My thoughts only…