1991-04-15
QUBENSBUR Y RECREATION COMMISSION
MINUTES OF MEETING
APRIL 15, 1991
Minutes of the regular meeting of the Recreation Commission of the Town of Queensbury,
held Monday April 15, 1991, at the Queensbury Town Office Building, Queensbury, New
York. Chairman Simmonds called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
PRESENT:
Commissioners Carusone, Hersh, Labatore, LaBombard, Simmonds,
Sperry and Teti
ALSO
PRESENT:
Director Hansen and Ass't. Director Lovering
ABSENT:
None
VISITORS:
None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Labatore moved to approve the minutes of the January 14, 1991 meeting.
Commissioner LaBombard seconded the motion and after polling all Commissioners, the
motion was unanimously approved.
COMMUNICATIONS AND REMARKS FROM VISITORS
The Director relayed that the Commission's letter of appreciation to Department employee
Harrington has been placed in his personnel file.
The Supervisor's letter to R. Murman {3/27/90 was briefly reviewed and there was some
discussion with regard to, if an additional payment to the Murman organization, because
of the time delay was warranted. The consensus based on the Director's explanation was
that the delay in completing the plan was caused equally by both the Town and Murman
Associates and therefore, no additional funds over and above the agreed upon amount
for the project ($34,500.), should be forthcoming.
A list of the Town's new telephone numbers for all Departments was distributed to each
commissioner for their information.
PARK PLANNING/PRIORITY LIST
The Commission reviewed the printed copy of their (the Commission) park planning-priority
list (3/11/90 and the Director added cost estimates to the items listed under each site
(i.e., cost for the construction of basketball courts, picnic shelter, etc.). He explained
that the estimates were very general and primarily for the Commission's initial park
planning purposes only. In addition, he reviewed the funding totals which were still available
in each of the Department's capital fund/park projects.
The Commission commented that the Director should have allocated funds in the
Department's operating budget for the development of each of the parks and he responded
-2-
that he had, but that it had been zeroed out (eliminated) by the Town Board. The argument
given (by the Board) was that the subdivision account could handle all park development
projects and could be supplemented by the Board on an "individual as needed" basis.
The Commission reviewed at length each of the park projects and there was also discussion
about the park site at the South Queensbury firehouse and the proposed park on West
Mountain. Considering the situations with the latter (i.e., PUD development on hold),
it would seem that the Town's 20 acre park site atop West Mountain was in a state of
limbo, so-to-speak. This may, or may not be the case and can only be answered by the
Town Attorney at the appropriate time (when park development begins).
The cost estimates for many of the proposed park facilities were and a number of
Commissioners expressed concern regarding the amount the Department had paid for
in-house (Highway Dept.) labor and materials (S. Qby. basketball court and the parking
lot at R/ J Park). The Director reiterated that these were fixed costs (i.e., union wages
and equipment costs) and that an outside contractor would undoubtedly have charged
considerably more. In addition, the Director pointed out that the correct construction
of a basketball court necessitated considerable time and materials including substantial
excavation, 4" of crushed stone, etc. and was not simply a matter of laying down a 1/2"
of asphalt, putting lines down, a basketball net up and calling it a court. Overall, the
in-house cost through less expensive also has drawbacks, in that it usually takes longer
to complete than if the project had been bid out and was done by a contractor.
The Director updated the Commission on the status of Hovey Pond and there was discussion
on how the new mall (Blockbuster Video) would interface with the park project.
DRAFT MASTBR PLAN DISCUSSION
Chairman Simmonds outlined the recent Steering Committee meeting with R. Murman
and pointed out that the master plan public information meeting was scheduled for Thursday,
May 2nd, at the Activity Center. She mentioned that comments on the plan from all
Commissioners would be valuable and that their attendance at the public meeting would
certainly be welcomed.
DIRECTOR/ ASS'T. DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Ass't. Director Lovering highlighted the NYS Park & Recreation Society Conference which
he and the Director recently attended (April 7-10) at the Nevele Hotel, in the Catskills.
He explained that the conference was quite informative and certainly worthwhile, in terms
of gathering new and updated information on changes in the field of parks and recreation.
The Director also mentioned that he had attended a number of educational sessions on
park equipment and maintenance which should be valuable to the Department in the future.
The Commission was briefed on anum ber of new programs which are being planned for
the summer. A girls volleyball program and a painting class for adults are two such
activities and there will, undoubtedly, be others.
There being no further business, the Commission was adjourned at 8:44 p.m. The next
meeting will be held on May 13, 1991, at 7:00 p.m., at the Supervisor's meeting room (#37)
in the Town Office Building.
&:."Õh~'mrh
Minutes prepared by Harry R. Hansen