Bancroft Council has unanimously voted in favour of blocking off the public boat launch to Clark Lake.
It happened during today’s council meeting. The town says the issue was in front of council to protect the lake and Bancroft’s water treatment plant from invasive species like zebra mussels.
Although the town heard support and opposition about the move, Mayor Paul Jenkins says he is pleased with the decision which he calls a necessary step.
Now that a bylaw is in place, you could be fined up to $25,000 for using the boat launch. But, the public beach will stay open to the public, and you will not be fined for using the lake itself.
The next step is for council to decide what kind of barricade will go up, and when that will happen. Jenkins says those details will be ironed out during an upcoming Infrastructure Committee meeting.
The town now has 15 days to post a notice about the decision on its website. After that, residents will have 20 days to appeal it to the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal.