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1996-10-01 QUEENS BURY RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES OF MEETING OCTOBER 1, 1996 Minutes of the regular meeting of the Recreation Commission of the Town of Queensbury held Tuesday, October 1, 1996, at the Queensbury Town Office Building, Queensbury, New York. Chairman Simmonds called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. PRESENT: Commissioners Auer, Carusone, Hersh, LaBombard, Schachner and Simmonds ALSO PRESENT: Director Hansen and Ass't. Director Lovering ABSENT: Commissioner Maine (ex) VISITORS: Jim Miller, Pat Beland, Bert Morehouse, Pliney Tucker, Robin Brewer, Roland Akins and Nancy Hansen APPROVAL OF MINUTES None COMMUNICATIONS AND REMARKS The Director introduced Jim Miller, Pat Beland and Bert Morehouse who had been invited to provide input/expertise on the boat launch question. The Chairman welcomed the other visitors and the Director reported on the status of the project. Pat Beland then recapped the history of the informal boat launch which the Warren County Parks and Recreation Department had operated for 14 years. He explained that the County had managed the launch (unsupervised and unrestricted) for the most part without any difficulty, or incident. He relayed that the launch was used, primarily, by fisherman and that problems with parking, over usage, or misusage at the site were minimal. Mr. Morehouse then detailed his 20 years, plus, employment with the Department of Environmental Conservation (ENCON) explaining his current responsibilities overseeing the operation of 40 ENCON boat launches in eight counties. He recounted his ENCON experiences from the design through construction to the administrative phase of motor boat launches. He commented that Mr. Miller's plans/drawings (boat launch) were more than adequate in terms of design and safety and that based on his past experience, the six parking slots would be sufficient, especially, for this size/length of river. He summarized his remarks and agreed with Pat Beland in that limiting, or restricting either the boat, or motor size was unnecessary at this site. The Commission then reviewed the Hudson River/boat launch data sheet which had been prepared by the Department and there was discussion about enforcement/regulatory responsibilities -2- on the Hudson River. It was also mentioned that a number of ENCON Departments, as well as the Warren County Sheriff's Department had expressed support and assistance in developing a boat launch facility (at this park) for the purpose of regulatory/enforcement ingress/egress. The question of river bank erosion from motor boat wakes was also addressed and both Bert Morehouse and Pat Beland felt that this was not an issue. Pat mentioned that ENCON Officer Timko, who had patrolled this stretch of river for approximately 25 years, had spoken on this subject in detail at the Hudson River informational meeting sometime ago. At that time, he (Timko) had pointed out that the river's flow and the effect of "ice out II were far more damaging in terms of erosion. In conclusion, both individuals agreed that limiting, or restricting the boat launch to prevent bank erosion was not a factor and, therefore, not warranted. Jim Miller displayed a copy of the project site plan drawings and explained the different elements of each of the park facilities. There were comments and questions on a number of items including the handicapped access alternate, the landscape planting plan, boat trailer parking and the status of the ACOE/ENCON permits. There was continued discussion and Ms. Brewer/Mr. Akins commented that the boat launch would increase boat traffic on the river, cause damage to the Hudson pointe wetlands and result in further shoreline erosion. A number of Commissioners disagreed and pointed out that most of the information provided by II the experts II at tonight's meeting rebutted those assertions. However, members of the Commission reiterated their desire to protect the river and assured the Hudson River Preservation Group that they (the Commission) were also interested in reclaiming this section of the river for future community recreational purposes. Chairman Simmonds briefly summarized the Hudson River Park discussion and thanked all in attendance for their input. There were comments by a number of Commissioners regarding the Commission's obligation to provide public park and recreation opportunities/services. It was agreed that based on the factual information presented to date, as well as for safety reasons and in order to be more accessible for sports fishing, boating and law enforcement, that the boat launch should be included as an integral part of the park plan as presented, without restrictions. This motion was offered by Commissioner Carusone, seconded by Commissioner Auer and unanimously approved. The Chairman agreed to draft a copy of the recommendations and submit it to the Town Board, shortly. The Director reviewed the items of correspondence included in the monthly packet and there were no further comments. He -3- reported the Highway Department would begin paving the Hovey Pond parking lot later this week. The Commission reviewed the 1996-97 tentative winter schedule of services and there were comments on the open swim, ski trip and ski lesson programs. The Director also mentioned that he was still working on an afternoon/early evening trip to a skateboard facility in Saratoga and would advise the Commission once details were finalized. There being no further business, the Commission meeting was adjourned at 8:51 p.m. The next meeting will be held on November 5, 1996, beginning at 7:00 p.m., in the Supervisor's conference room (#37), at the Queensbury Town Office Building. Minutes prepared by Harry R. Hansen