2001-06-05
QUEENSBURY RECREATION COMMISSION
MINUTES OF MEETING
JUNE Sf 2001
Minutes of the regular meeting of the Recreation Commission of the Town of Queensbury
held Tuesday, June 5, 2001, on Meadowbrook Road in the vicinity of Town sewer pumping
station that is adjacent to the 75 acre Hiland Park site. Chairman Simmonds called the
meeting to order at 7:30 a.m.
PRESENT:
Commissioners Auer, Carusone, Irish, laBombard and Simmonds
ALSO
PRESENT:
Department Laborer Rick Doty and Director Hansen
ABSENT:
Commissioners Hersh (ex) and Maine (ex)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Carusone, seconded by Commissioner Simmonds moved to approve the
minutes of the May 1, 2001 meeting. There were no corrections and the motion was
unanimously approved by voice vote.
COMMUNICATIONS AND REMARKS FROM VISITORS
Chairman Simmonds acknowledged newly appointed Recreation Commissioner Doug Irish
and welcomed him to the commission.
The director introduced Rick Doty the recently hired full-time department laborer and Rick
briefly recounted his previous work experience and family situation. He mentioned his past
work as an umpire with the summer adult softball leagues and relayed that he was pleased
to be a member of the department maintenance crew. The commission welcomed him to the
department.
The items of correspondence included in the monthly packet were reviewed and the letter
from Mrs. Holt and Paul Crandall's Post Star editorial (new pool needed) were discussed. The
commission reaffirmed that the need for a second community/public pool facility in
Queensbury was certainly becoming more apparent and as such needed to be investigated
by the commission in the near future.
The director explained the Glen Lake Boat Launch Site Public Hearing Notice and the
accompanying draft local law. He mentioned that due to a change in the trailered boat
launch policy by the Docksider Restaurant, that a problem/safety issue had now arisen
concerning the Town's canoe/car-top boat launch next door on Glen Lake. He pointed out
that the upcoming public hearing and subsequent revised local law would help to insure that
trailered boats would not be permitted to be launched at the Town site.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Faith Bible Church Prooertv - Preliminarv Plan
The director displayed Jim Miller's preliminary plan map for the development of the Faith
Bible Church acreage off the Corinth Road, on the shores of the Hudson River. The 70-acre
site was recently acquired by the Open Space Institute and will be turned over to the
department for development as a future recreation facility. Jim Miller and the director are in
the process of completing a management plan that will include a tentative facility
development plan similar to that shown on the map.
The commission was pleased with the preliminary design plan and it was explained that the
total project would be phased over a period of time. The director relayed that a more
complete plan/map was being drafted and would include the actual/proposed hiking trails
along the bluff on this site as well as the adjoining town properties on either side. There
were no further comments and the director will keep the commission apprised of the
progress of the management plan.
NEW BUSINESS
Hiland Park CaDital Proiect - Discussion
The director distributed a Hiland Park area map/capital project request sheet and outlined
the department's proposal to develop the area as a passive nature/fishing site. He explained
that the site was chosen to receive funding through the Town's Capital Project Fund Account
($22,500.) and would be developed accordingly (see attached request).
The commission had questions about parking as well as the accessibility of the site and there
were comments on the adjoining 75-acre site on the east side of Halfway Brook, donated by
Dr. Reed. The two areas connect and would make a large track of land for passive
recreational use. There was also discussion with regard to approaching the Family Golf
organization in order to acquire a wider easement to the Town's property (Hiland Park) and
for contacting Trout Unlimited for assistance with improving the fishing habitat along Halfway
Brook. The director will contact both organizations regarding the commission's suggestions.
Due to the unseasonably wet conditions, the commission was not able to walk the Hiland
Park site but agreed to reschedule a site visit in the fall.
MONTHLY DEPARTMENT REPORT
The director gave a short verbal monthly report and highlighted some of the programs and
activities underway. A copy of the recently completed multi-page department safety manual
was circulated and the commission was impressed with the thoroughness of the document.
The manual was made possible through the effort of Simone (Office Manager) and Green
Mountain College intern Jaime Coffin.
The topic of the Ridge/Jenkinsville Park softball complex (fields & fencing) was discussed and
it was the consensus that a site visit, to determine the suitability of improving the situation,
was needed. It was agreed that the July meeting be scheduled at this location and the
director will send out the appropriate notification.
There being no further business, the commission meeting was adjourned at 8:29 am. The
next meeting will be held on July 3, 2001, beginning at 7:30 am, at the Ridge/Jenkinsville
Park softball complex off Jenkinsville Road in Queensbury.
~~,~
Sharron Simmonds, Chairman
Minutes prepared by Harry R. Hansen, Director