1995-11-01 SP
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QUEENS BURY RECREATION COMMISSION
MINUTES OF MEETING
NOVEMBER 1, 1995
Minutes of the special meeting of the Recreation Commission of the
Town of Queensbury held Wednesday, November 1, 1995 at the
Queensbury Town Office Building, Queensbury, New York. Chairman
Simmonds called the meeting to order at 7:32 a.m.
PRESENT:
Commissioners Auer, Carusone,
Schachner and Simmonds
Hersh,
Maine,
ALSO
PRESENT:
Director Hansen & Ass't. Director Lovering
ABSENT:
Commissioner LaBombard (ex)
VISITORS:
None
HUDSON RIVER PARK - LEAD AGENCY DISCUSSION
Chairman Simmonds explained and detailed the mission of the "A"
team (Supervisor Champagne, Attorney Dusek, Chairman Simmonds and
Director Hansen) which had been instituted to oversee, guide and
make operational decisions with regard to the Hudson River Park
project. She mentioned that the group was organized by the Town
Attorney and usually meets once a week in order to insure that the
project continues to move forward. She briefly outlined the
specifics concerning lead agency determination as part of the State
Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA). After some discussion a
motion in support of the Town Board being designated lead agency
for the project was made, seconded and unanimously approved. The
Director will draft the appropriate memo for the Chairman's
signature and then forward it to the Town Attorney.
BIKE TRAIL EXTENSION
The Chairman briefly reviewed the Commuter Trail Cost Estimate
which was included in the meeting packet and there was considerable
discussion on some of the roads which were scheduled in the new
bike trail paving plan. The Director mentioned that he had been
briefed by D. Hodgson and displayed a large map which depicted both
the old and new bike trail proposals. The new plan recommended
paving 5 feet on either side of the 9.4 miles of roadway which had
been chosen by Hodgson's committee. There was discussion on the
original plan which advocated construction of a trail in the Rush
Pond area. The trail then continued south through the city's
watershed property to the Hudson River. This proposal which had
been presented to the Town Board in March 1994 was scrubbed earlier
this year because of logistical problems (lack of easement in order
to traverse a parcel of property). A number of commissioners
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remarked about the size of proposed bike trail extension (5 feet)
and there was discussion on the need to pave both sides of the
road. There were also deliberations on why certain roads in the
Town had been chosen in this particular grant request. There were
a number of other concerns expressed including; where, if approved,
the 20% Town share would be funded from, lead agency designation
if funding is granted, time frame to complete the project, how the
new paved bike trails would tie in with the W.C. bikeway and
whether there was sufficient highway right-of-way on the target
roads to accommodate the 5 foot bikeway extension. It was agreed
that the Commission had numerous questions which needed to be
answered before voting on the project and it was decided that it
would be more beneficial to have Dave (Hodgson) respond to the
Commission's questions in person instead of touring the roads by
van. After further discussion, the Director was instructed to
contact Dave Hodgson and invite him to attend a special 7:30 a.m.
meeting this corning Friday, November 3rd. Thereafter, the
Commission would still have time to formulate a recommendation and
submit it in writing to all involved parties by the November 6th
board meeting deadline.
LAND CONVEYANCE - BIG BAY ROAD
The Director displayed an area map which showed the Hudson River
Park (HRP) site and a 40' x 2000' strip on Big Bay Road which is
being offered to the Town for recreational purposes (VanDusen &
Steves, letter). The parcel is located on the west side of the
Northway and would provide children who either walk or ride bikes
a safer means of access to the HRP site without having to negotiate
the Northway Exit 18-Corinth Road interchange.
The Commission reviewed the informational letter which was included
in the packet and the Director advised the Commission with regard
to fencing cost estimates. He also mentioned that formal
notification of the land being offered by the applicant to the
Town's Planning Board, should be forthcoming, shortly. After
further explanation, it was the consensus that a site visit would
be scheduled once the Commission was officially notified of the
offer to dedicate the land.
There being no further business, the Commission meeting was
adjourned at 8:28 a.m. Another special meeting will be held on
November 3, 1995, beginning at 7:30 a.m., in the Supervisor's
conference room (#37), at the Queensbury Town Office Building.
Minutes prepared by Harry R. Hansen