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1999-07-06 QUEENSBURY RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES OF MEETING JULY 6, 1999 Minutes of the regular meeting of the Recreation Commission of the Town of Queensbury held Tuesday, July 6, 1999 at the Queensbury Town Office Building, Queensbury, New York. Chairman Simmonds called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. PRESENT: Commissioners Auer, LaBombard, Maine, Schachner and Simmonds ALSO PRESENT: Councilmen Irish, Tucker and Director Hansen ABSENT: Commissioner Carusone (ex) & Hersh (ex) VISITORS: None APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner LaBombard made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Auer to approve the minutes of the April 6, 1999 meeting. The motion, was unanimously approved by voice vote. COMMUNICATIONS AND REMARKS FROM VISITORS The items of correspondence included in the monthly packet were highlighted by the director and there were comments on the supervisor's letter to Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy. The commission commented on Mr. Eddy's letter and the director explained how the group from the Voluntary Action Center became involved (planting flowers) at the Hudson River Park site. The letter from the Town Controller regarding the Hovey Pond Park (HPP) hedgerow was discussed and Councilman Irish and Tucker relayed the Town Board's sentiments on the subject. The director briefly chronicled the events which preceded the latest board request for the commission to consider the hedgerow question. After further discussion it was the consensus that the commission was not in favor of expending department funds to purchase and install a hedgerow on the southern boundary between HPP and the Queensbury Central Fire Co. property. The director was instructed to send a memo to the Town board advising them of the commissions decision. Chairman Simmonds distributed copies of the 7/2/99 letter recently received from Mr. & Mrs. Stec and there was discussion about the possible purchase of the wooded 32 acre parcel off Butler Pond Road in Queensbury. The commission was reminded that they had previously visited and discussed the purchase of this property on two occasions in the past. It was agreed that the disposition of the Glens Falls watershed property (3000+ acres), which surrounds the Stec parcel, was the major factor in the equation. The commission agreed that the status and use of the watershed property needed to be clarified, before a decision on purchasing the Stec property could be considered. Therefore, the commission decided against considering the purchase of the property at this time and the chairman was directed to have a letter sent advising the Stec's of this decision. Freedom Park Update The chairman reported on the status of the Freedom Park project including the cost estimates to construct the park and the revised time schedule for completion of the park. Faith Bible Church/Open Space Institute (OSI) The director briefed the commission on his recent conversation with OSI representatives and mentioned that they (OSI) wanted to make a decision with regard to the purchase of the Faith Bible Church property off Corinth Road. He explained the church's new request for additional property (approximately 12-20 acres and displayed the new map. In short, OSI needs a decision with regard to the Town's interest in acquiring the acreage south and east of the Faith Bible Church building. After discussion it was agreed that the commission needed to again walk the site to assess the new boundaries firsthand. As an aside, it was also mentioned that the 90 acre area known as the Hudson Pointe Preserve, which was purchased and developed by OSI as a recreation area at Hudson Pointe, also belongs to the Town. Therefore, an "on the road" meeting to visit both sites was agreed on and it was the consensus that the commission would schedule their August meeting beginning at 6:30 pm. The director as usual will notify all commissioners of the exact time and location. MONTHLY DEPARTMENT REPORT A short verbal monthly department report was presented and there were comments on the dedication ceremony at Hudson River Park. There being no further business, the commission meeting was adjourned to the Glen Lake Road fire station for a tour of the facility. Fire Co. Chairman Charles Mellon guided -2- _..--..~ the group through the firehouse and the adjoining property. This facility has over 4800 square feet of usable space and the property with building is appraised for approximately $240,000. The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 pm. The next meeting will be held on August 3, 1999 beginning at 6:30 pm, at either the Faith Bible Church site or the Hudson Pointe Preserve parking area (exact location to be determined). ~x,~ Sharron Simmonds, Chairman Minutes prepared by Harry R. Hansen, Director -3-