1993-12-08
QUEENSBURY RECREATION COMMISSION
MINUTES OF MEETING
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DECEMBER 8, 1993
Minutes of the regular meeting at the Recreation Commission of the
Town of Queensbury, held Wednesday, December 8, 1993, at the
Queensbury Town Office Building, Queensbury, New York. Chairman
Simmonds called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
PRESENT:
Commissions Auer, Hersh, Maine, Schachner and
Simmonds
ALSO
PRESENT:
Ass't. Director Lovering
ABSENT:
Commissioners Carusone & LaBombard (ex)
VISITORS:
Dave Hodgson, Ralph Nestle, Dick Sage & Steve Traver
~?PROVAL OF MINUTES
None
COMMUNICATIONS/REMARKS FROM VISITORS
Chairman Simmonds welcomed the guests who were representing the
, Queensbury Citizens Advisory Committee on Environmental Issues and
after individual introductions, Dave Hodgson spoke on behalf of the
group. He highlighted his group's efforts over the past four years
with regard to creating a network of nonvehicular trails throughout
the Town. The usage on the Warren County bike trail (estimated at
over 1000,00 per year) was mentioned as a primary reason for
expanding the trail system. Their tentative plan was to create a
series of "branch trails" which would tie in with the present
Warren County bike trail and thus link more areas of the community.
One arterial would begin at the entry point of Feeder Canal Park
(Richardson Street), and continue north through Glens Falls on the
,D & H railroad right-of-way. Another loop would begin behind the
million dollar half mile shopping area in the vicinity of the
Warren County Municipal Center and cross the Northway at exit #20.
It would then continue south adjacent to Rush Pond on public and
private right-of-way across Aviation Road through the watershed
property, to the Hudson River in the vicinity of the Sherman Island
Road project. Other spurs included east and west connectors on
Luzerne Road and in the Cronin-Meadowbrook-Haviland Road areas. He
distributed copies of the project map w/information which outlined
the different phases and explained that landowner approval for the
phase I trail (million dollar half mile trail) was a~nost 100%.
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In summary, the committee was seeking a commitment on behalf of the
Town for 20% of the total project cost ($300,000.00). The group's
purpose this evening was to request support in the form of
financial assistance ("seed $") for the project engineering fees
which were estimated at approximately $6000.00. This seed money
would be needed up front (engineering fees) before the April
transportation enhancement funding grant submission deadline. Mr.
Hodgson also mentioned that he had been in contact with the G.F.
Urban Area Transportation Council as well as the new area State
D.O. T. planner (J. Brunso) with regard to this proj ect. Their
support including funding assistant from the State and the Warren
County D.P.W. were all still possibilities which were being
pursued.
A number of commissioners had questions including landowner
approval, how the engineering cost estimate was determined and
where bike/pedestrian bridges were to be installed. There was also
discussion on whether the project could be partially funded through
the Department operating budget and/or the subdivision recreation
fee account and Chairman Simmonds pointed out that only the Town
Board could authorize an expenditure from the latter account.
Furthermore, she explained that the Recreation Commission was only
empowered to recommend to the Town Board who would in turn make the
final decision. After further discussion, a number of
commissioners expressed interest in walking a portion of the trail
system (north of Aviation Road), and it was the consensus that
those interested would meet D. Hodgson on Friday, the 17th at 2:00
p.m., at the corner of Fox Farm and Aviation Roads. Discussion
continued regarding the possible use of Department funding for the
project and again, it was pointed out that such a discussion was
premature considering the engineering costs were only guesstimates
at this time. However, the Commission agreed that the project had
considerable merit and it was the consensus that they (the
Commission) should support the project concept by recommendation to
the Town Board. Commissioner Hersh moved to approve the concept of
the proposed bike paths and after being seconded by Commissioner
Auer, the motion was unanimously approved. The recommendation will
be forwarded to the new Town Board after the first of the year.
Chairman Simmonds thanked Dave Hodgson and the other members of the
committee for their work and effort with regard to this project.
The two items of correspondence (Planning Board resolution and
Halfway Brook property inquiry) which were included in the monthly
packet were briefly reviewed and Ass't. Director Lovering explained
the colored map which the Director had previously sent to Dr.
Braico.
The Chairman briefly relayed the highlights of the Hovey Pond
dedication ceremony (12/5/93) for those who were not in attendance.
It was mentioned that there would be ice skating at the site this
winter although the question of safety and liability were of
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concern to the Town Attorney. He is apprehensive with respect to
the safety factor as it pertains to the depth of ice and how this
will be monitored and supervised.
COMMISSION MEETING DATES
The Commission reviewed the tentative list of meeting dates for
1994 and Chairman Simmonds reminded everyone of the importance of
attendance (quorum) in order for the Commission to adequately
conduct business. She reiterated that it is extremely important
that commissioners contact the Department office beforehand, if
they cannot be in attendance at a monthly meeting.
MONTHLY DEPARTMENT REPORT
Ass't. Director Lovering reviewed a number of items mentioned in
the monthly report and there were some questions on the Capital
Lights senior trip which the Department organized.
The Ass't. Director distributed a letter from the Director to the
Chairman/Commission and there was considerable discussion regarding
the special interest group (Friends of Hovey Pond) and their role
in assisting the Commission/Department with the Hovey Pond Park
project.
There being no furt~er business, the Commission meeting was
adjourned at 8:38 p.m. The next meeting will be held on January
12, 1994, 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