1992-01-08
QUEENSBURY RECREATION COMMISSION
MINUTES OF MEETING
JANUARY 8. 1992
Minutes of the regular meeting of the Recreation Commission of the Town of Queensbury,
held Wednesday, January 8, 1992, at the Queensbury Town Office Building, Queensbury,
New York. Chairman Simmonds called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m.
PRESENT:
Commissioners Carusone, Hersh, Labatore, Simmonds and Sperry
ALSO
PRESENT:
Director Hansen and Ass't. Director Lovering
ABSENT:
Commissioners LaBombard (ex) and Teti (ex)
VISITORS:
None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Carusone moved to approve the minutes of the April 15th and May 13, 1991
minutes. Commissioner Labatore seconded the motion and after polling all Commissioners,
the motion was unanimously approved.
COMMUNICATIONS AND REMARKS FROM VISITORS
None
1992 RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING SCHEDULE
The Director reviewed the Recreation Commission Meeting Schedule for 1992 and reminded
everyone that meetings were now held on the second Wednesday of each month and not
on Monday, as in the past. He also mentioned that the Supervisor had indicated that the
Board would probably not appoint two Board members in an ad hoc capacity, as liaison
to the Commission. Rather, he would encourage attendance by all Board members as often
as each deemed necessary.
DISCUSSION - POSSffiLE LAND ACQUISITION
The Director displayed an area map of the Meadowbrook/Cronin Road intersection and
briefed the Commissioners on Mr. J. Girard's offer to sell a parcel on the west side of
Halfway Brook. The site is approximately 4 acres in size and has been "flagged" by DEC,
almost entirely, as a wetland area. A few of the Commissioners had observed the site
at a special meeting in December and also had an opportunity to see and locate the 10
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acre Randerson parcel which the previous Town Board had purchased in 1991, over the
Director/Commission's objection. It was pointed out that the Randerson property was,
except for a small 16 ft. right-of-way off Meadowbrook Road, a wetland area entirely
landlocked. However, the purchase of the Girard parcel, which "sort of" abuts the Randerson
property, might through the use of a footbridge over the brook make access to the
(Randerson), considerably easier. With this in mind, the Director was asking the Commission
to consider the merits of purchasing the Girard parcel. It was explained that Mr. Girard
was asking $15,000.00 for the property, but this is undoubtedly negotiable.
The Commission question the staff on a variety of matters related to the purchase of this
parcel including, DEC wetland permits and restrictions, the adjoining Elk's Club property
situation, projected park development, the status of the Randerson property, Halfway Brook
fishing access and available funding. There was also discussion on the plan by the Town
of a "green belt" corridor along Halfway Brook. This was the previous Town Board's vision,
but private property owners along the Brook who have no desire to sell, as well as other
obstructions, make this plan both unrealistic and unattainable. After further discussion
it was the consensus that at this time, the purchase of Mr. Girard's parcel, unless combined
with a small corner of the Elk's Club property (south border), would be of little value as
a recreation area. The Director was instructed to relay this to Mr. Girard, but also to
point out that, if the situation regarding the Elk's Club property changes, that this might
alter the Recreation Commission decision.
HOVEY POND PARK UPDATE
The Commission was updated on the status of this project and the Director outlined the
Department's tentative plans on the park diagram. He relayed some of the ideas about
the project which he and the Supervisor had brainstormed previously and mentioned that
the new Board was extremely interested in completing the project as quickly and
inexpensively as possible. As such, they feel the Department/Commission should recommend
a plan of action, with regard to completing the project and then where possible, take steps
to implement that plan. ENCON will of course have much to say in this regard, but overall,
the Board feels the project can and should be completed rapidly. To that end, the Director
has begun dialogue with D. Morse (engineer), to determine the minimum improvements
(dam/spillway sedimentation basin, etc.), which ENCON may require. With that as a new
starting point the project would then proceed.
The Commission was reminded that the project had been shutdown for the winter season,
but that hopefully in the spring, either Paul (Highway Department), or an outside contractor
would finish and clean up the tasks which remain. This would include dredging and tapering
the sides of the pond, contouring and landscaping the park area and constructing, if necessary
a dam/spillway with sedimentation basin.
The Commission discussed some of the future recreational activities which might be possible
at the park/pond and there was concern that the Town might not allocate the funds necessary
to finish the project. The Director relayed that he did not feel this was the situation, but
that the Board was just as concerned with finishing the project and would therefore, allocate
the funds necessary.
PQSSIBLE LAND ACQUISITION (STEC PROPERTY)
Chairman Simmonds and the Director distributed copies of the correspondence dealing
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with the acquisition of a 32 acre parcel off Butler Pond Road on West Mountain. Mr. George
Stec owns the property which is accessible only by Traver Road (an unused/not maintained
Town Road) and is surrounded by the Glens Falls watershed area. Mr. Stec had proposed
the sale to Supervisor Borgos, in September 1991, however, the Commission Chairman was
not apprised of the situation until December. Thereafter, the Chairman and the Director
accompanied Mr. Stec on a walking tour of the site (I /7/92), in order to evaluate the property
as a possible future recreation area.
After reading the correspondence and seeing the map of the area, the Commission questioned
the Director with regard to the Town road and the disposition of the Glens Falls watershed
property. It was explained that although Traver Road was accepted as a Town road by
use in 1963, it had never been maintained (Highway Department) and was actively controlled
(barricaded by lock and gate), by the City of Glens Falls. With regard to the watershed
property, the City has made no determination (sale or development) in this regard. However,
it was mentioned that the disposition of the City's watershed holdings would undoubtedly
be resolved in 1993, when State and Federal laws governing public drinking water (no open
reservoirs) would go into effect. At that time, the ponds and reservoirs which act as the
source of the City's drinking water could no longer be used in that respect. The reservoirs
and the surrounding 3000+ acres of watershed property would have no further value (as
a source of potable water) and could be sold, or possibly be exchanged for other needed
services (i.e. water from the Town of Queensbury).
After considering all factors, the Commission concluded that the expenditure of $44,000.00,
for the purchase of this 32 acre parcel was not in the Town's best interest. The Director
was instructed to relay the Commission comments to the Supervisor and was also directed
to relay those same comments, in writing, to Mr. Stec.
DIRECTORI ASS'T. DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Ass't. Director Lovering reported to the Commission on the status of many of the
Department's winter programs. He also relayed that the new adult Fly Tying class has
9 participants registered and would begin the following day.
The Commission requested the results of the 2 day girls' basketball open house and it was
reported that it was extremely well attended (exact figure not available).
The weekend ski trip program was also discussed and there was some concern about the
Supervisor's comments at the December meeting. At that time, Mike had questioned the
Department's ski trip program which was offered bi-weekly to a variety of regional ski
areas. The Director reminded the Commission that the Department had been successfully
offering those same trips for over 12 years and that the total cost for the program was
borne entirely by the participant. Furthermore, an equally successful ski lesson program
for resident children and adults has also been offered each winter at the West Mountain
Ski Area. Here again, the Town provides no subsidy to those who participate. In both
instance, the programs are worthwhile and should be continued annually, provided there
is sufficient interest and participation.
The Director briefly explained Officer Crandell's swim program letter, a copy of which
was distributed to each Commissioner. There was considerable discussion regarding the
need for such a program, as well as concern over supervision, liability insurance coverage
and the proposed fee schedule. The Commission was also concerned with the competitive
aspect of the program and the consensus was that, it was outside the scope of the recreation
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programs which the Department offers. The Director will relay this information to Officer
Crandall.
There being no further business, the Commission was adjourned at 8:37 p.m. The next
meeting will be held on February 8, 1992, at 7:00 p.m., at the Supervisor's meeting room
(#37), in the Town Office Building.
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Minutes prepared by Harry R. Hansen