Kaszuby Cottagers Association Overview

History

Founded in1968 as the Kaszuby Ratepayers Association, made up of lakefront property owners on Halfway Lake, Dam Lake, and Wadsworth Lake in the Township of Radcliffe (today’s Township of Madawaska Valley).

In 1970, Constitutional statutes were established, and the name was changed to theKaszuby Cottagers’ Association (KCA).  The KCAbecame a member of the Federation of Ontario Cottage Associations (FOCA).

In 1995, the Constitution was updated to include the promotion of enhanced communications with municipal officials and the establishment of a regular publication of a KCA Newsletter.

The KCA website was initiated in 2012, and remains at the “work in progress” stage. Suggestions are welcomed at webmaster@kaszubycottagers.ca.

In 2013, the KCA successfully opposed and prevented the Township of Madawaska Valley Council’s proposal to download water and wastewater operating costs onto the general tax base - including rural and seasonal non-user ratepayers.

Membership of KCA

The KCAmembership is made up of  lakefront property owners on Wadsworth Lake, Halfway (Long) Lake, Dam Lake,  Franks Lake, Campbell Lake and most recently (2013) Kuiack Lake Cottagers Association in the Township of Madawaska Valley. As of the 2024 AGM, we have 62 registered members.

 Statement of Objectives  ofKCA

“We strive to pool our resources and talents to maintain and improve a safe, secure and clean environment in our community by maintaining effective contact with local municipal authorities and agencies, to ensure the enjoyment and preservation of quality of life in Kaszuby.” 

KCACommunications

Generally, a Spring Newsletter is published shortly after the FOCA AGM to update members on issues raised at FOCA, as well as local municipal council events/ decisions and upcoming activities of the Association during the cottage season.
When required, a supplemental winter communication will be published and sent out.

Annual Events

Each year we communicate and promote the following events:

• monitoring and testing of lake water through the FOCA Lake Partners Program
  
• monitoring and generating awareness of invasive species in the Kaszuby area, such as Eurasian Water Milfoil, and Phragmites, which pose a serious threat to our ecosystem
• KCA Annual General Meeting (AGM) in August

Community Donations

KCA also makes annual donations to community groups that provide vital services to Kaszuby property owners.   In 2024, theKCAmade donations to the St. Francis Memorial Hospital Foundation, and the Barry’s Bay Library.