What’s that waterfront property worth?
Nathan Martin, MPAC, kept the audience focused when he described assessing waterfront property at a recent meeting of the Buckhorn Ratepayers. He explained that Ontario is on a four-year mandatory re-assessment cycle. The assessment that you received in 2016 will not be fully implemented until 2020 with equal amounts being added or subtracted from your assessment each of the four years of the cycle.
Factors that trigger property assessment are building permits, sales reviews, farm forestry exemptions reviews, requests for reconsideration, severances and consolidations, property owner enquiries among others.
Martin showed a YouTube video entitled How MPAC Assesses Property available to all on YouTube. Other factors affecting assessment include secondary structures such as garages, boathouses and pools, finished basement area, type of heating, air conditioning, number of bathrooms, fireplaces. Other site features which can increase or decrease assessed value are traffic pattern, proximity to golf course, hydro corridor, railway or green space or whether or not the property is located on a corner lot.
Throw into that location, lot dimensions, water, frontage, access exposure and frontage and you begin to get an idea of how your property may be assessed.
Martin suggested using www. aboutmyproperty.ca to find out more about comparables in the area of your property. To use this app you need to know your property number. He stated that no one is going to look out for you but you. MPAC is not interested to give you a difficult time but going to www. aboutmyproperty.ca would enable you to do your homework before you make any enquiry.
Next up were representatives of Peterborough Utilities part of the Peterborough Utilities Group of Companies. There is a definite focus of looking at enhancing water power opportunities and Buckhorn dam satisfies many of the requirements. Studies have been made. There is a power line available for connection. There is a 2.5 megawatt capacity. It is all located on federal lands owned by Parks Canada. A conceptual design has been made.
It will be 5-6 years to prepare for construction. Field work is completed. Draft reports are in process. Time span from process planning to construction is 2017 – 2022. The first open house will be in late January 2018. www.pui.ca will provide a list of projects.
Buckhorn Baseball
The Buckhorn baseball field needs to be brought up to standard to facilitate the people interested in playing in a league and hosting tournaments. Presently the field has crushed limestone screenings which would tear the legs of children and adults playing on the diamond. It would take $10,000 to get the field fixed. Matt Fairfield is involved with this project and is hoping to raise money through ball tournaments and community support. Fairfield reports that over 100 people play on Wednesday and Thursday nights. With the proper field covering these people would keep playing and be able to support tournaments. For more information call Matt Fairfield at 705-6579660 or 705-750-7867.
Calendar
CHRISTMAS TEA: Lakehurst Christmas Tea, noon, Thursday Lakehurst Hall, 705-657-1758 for info.
POTLUCK: Community Potluck, Dec. 3, Lakehurst Hall, 5:30. Everyone brings something– appetizer, main, side or dessert - including your own festive cutlery and mugs.
HAMPER: Christmas Hamper application deadline, Dec. 8.
SKATES: Skate Sale, Dec. 9, Buckhorn Rink. All skates $5 or best offer. All sizes available. 1 to 4 p.m. Funds raised support rink.