1994-05-11
QUEENSBURY RECREATION COMMISSION
MINUTES OF MEETING
MAY 11, 1994
Minutes of the regular meeting of the Recreation Commission of the
Town of Queensbury, held Wednesday, May 11, 1994, 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,
Maine, Schachner and Simmonds
ALSO
PRESENT:
Councilwomen Pulver, Director Hansen and Ass' t.
Director Lovering
ABSENT:
None
VISITORS:
None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Hersh moved to approve the minutes of the March 9,
1994 meeting. Commissioner Schachner seconded the motion and after
polling all commissioners, the motion was unanimously approved.
COMMUNICATIONS/REMARKS FROM VISITORS
Commissioner Schachner mentioned that to date neither he nor
Commissioner Maine had received verification of their request to be
reappointed to the Commission. Councilwomen Pulver said, she
thought it had been done sometime ago, and assured both
Commissioners that the Board had every intention of reappointing
them.
The Director reviewed the swim pool/lesson fee recommendation memo
which had been submitted on behalf of the
Commission/Department, to the Town Board at their meeting on May
2nd. He explained that the Board had chosen to eliminate non-
residents fees and make one fee for all (tokens and daily
admissions). In terms of swim lessons, here again, the Department
was instructed to offer lessons to both residents and non-residents
at the same rate in 1994 as was available to residents only in
1993. This was considerably different than had been recommended
(Commission & Department), and even though the Director and some of
the Commissioners voiced opinions to the contrary, the revised fee
schedule (one fee for all) was approved.
There was further discussion and comments from a number of
-2-
commissioners including whether the fee changes would negatively
affect the budget revenue proj ections for pool operation. The
Director will publicize the fee schedule (new fees) in the summer
brochure as well as through other media.
SUBDIVISION SITE VISIT REPORT
Commissioner Auer briefly summarized the recent subdivision site
visit excursion (Clendon Brook and Bay Road), by a number of
commissioners and there was considerable discussion on the
potential of the two sites for future recreational use. The size
of the parcels as well as the "fee in lieu of" amounts were also
discussed and it was the consensus that the Potvin site (29+
acres), be accepted and that Passarelli site (6.1 acres) be
rejected. The recommendation was unanimously approved and the
Director was instructed to draft the appropriate formal reply to
the Planning Board.
RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD DISCUSSION
A number of commissioners questioned Councilwoman Pulver regarding
the reason behind changing the Commissioner's status and she
briefly summarized the Town Board's position. It was explained
that the change to advisory would not change what the Commission
did or effect the Department/Director in terms of name and/or civil
service status. She reiterated that she was not present to defend
or explain the proposed change, but rather to get input from the
Commission and take it back to the Board. Furthermore, it was
mentioned that a public hearing would be set to outline the
proposed law and that the Commission could also speak on the matter
at that time. However, the proposed law would not take any powers
away from the Commission and was not being considered because of
the Commission having done something wrong.
A number of commissioners inquired whether the Commission's
recommendations on acceptance/rejection of subdivision lands would
be overruled and Councilwoman Pulver explained that the Board had
that prerogative, anyway. With regard to commission members having
their terms of appointment reduced to two years, the consensus was
that this would ruin the Commission's continuity and might make it
(the Commission) political. Councilwoman Pulver, again pointed out
that she was not here to debate the issue, but rather to get the
Commission's input and relay it to the entire Board.
After further discussion, the Commission explained that this was
their first meeting since the change was proposed and presented to
the Commission. Therefore, more time to discuss it among
themselves would be necessary before responding formally to the
Town Board. It was agreed that the Commission should meet at a
"workshop meeting" at a time and day other than the regular meeting
night and Councilwoman Pulver agreed. The Commission decided on a
-3-
5:00 p.m., May 17th meeting and the Director was asked to notify
all commissioners by mail.
HOVEY POND GAZEBO
The plans of the gazebo proposed by the Friends of Hovey Pond group
were examined and there was discussion as to where the structure
would be located at the park. In addition, it was pointed out that
the park map with the gazebo shown was not the FHP'S map, but in
fact, the Department's original project map which had been
embellished by the group (FHP). The Commission questioned how the
structure was going to be funded and built and it was explained
(Pulver) that much of the material and labor, hopefully, would be
donated. In any case, the project would probably not be undertaken
this year and Councilwoman Pulver assured the Commission that the
FHP group would coordinate with the Department before doing
anything. The Commission thanked her and vowed to work with the
Friends of Hovey Pond in completing the park.
MONTHLY DEPARTMENT REPORT
The monthly department report was reviewed and there were no
comments.
A number of commissioners mentioned that due to unexpected
conflicts, that they would be unable to attend the upcoming
commission meeting on the regularly scheduled evening. It was also
pointed out that the June meeting usually kicked off the series of
"on the road" summer commission meetings. Therefore, it was
unanimously decided to reschedule the June meeting for Wednesday,
the 15th at Hovey Pond Park. The Director will notify all
concerned and send a notice to the Post Star.
There being no further business, the Commission meeting was
adjourned at 9:16 p.m. The next meeting will be held on June 15,
1994, beginning at 7:00 p.m., at the Hovey Pond Park site.
~~~~
arron L. Simmonds, Chairman
Minutes prepared by Harry R. Hansen