1991-12-11
QUEENSBURY RECREATION COMMISSION
MINUTES OF MEETING
DECEMBER 11, 1991
Minutes of the regular meeting of the Recreation Commission of the Town of Queensbury,
held Wednesday, December 11, 1991, at the Queensbury Town Office Building, Queensbury,
New York. Chairman Simmonds called the meeting to order at 7:11 p.m.
PRESENT:
Commissioners Hersh, Labatore, LaBombard, Simmonds and Sperry
ALSO
PRESENT:
Director Hansen and Ass't. Director Lovering
ABSENT:
Commissioners Carusone (ex) and Teti (ex)
VISITORS:
None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Sperry moved to approve the minutes of the February 11th and March 11,
1991 meetings. Commissioner Hersh seconded the motion and after polling all commissioners,
the motion was unanimously approved.
The Commission's congratulatory letter to Supervisor Brandt was briefly mentioned and
there was no further discussion.
MASTER PLAN DISCUSSION
Copies of the completed Murman Associates Town of Queensbury, Master Plan for the
Department of Parks & Recreation were distributed. The Director explained that the plan
had been officially presented and received by the Town Board (12/2/91 meeting) with mixed
emotion. Many of the commissioners present tonight echoed a similar feeling, in that,
the document was nothing more than an expensive recapitulation of old facts and information.
A major concern expressed was the "prioritized" list of park recommendations which Murman
has advocated. The Commission did not agree with some of the park projects on the list
and was extremely displeased with Murman's recommendations regarding the order of
importance/priority (park development). Another point of distress was the amount paid
for this document compared to the 1982 plan and other similar Town documents (Land Use
Master Plan, etc.).
The Director pointed out that Murman's plan had value, in that, it was done by an outsider
(not an area resident) and therefore, the document was unbiased and not influence by personal
preferences/opinions, related to the area. Decisions and recommendations were based
for the most part on the information gathered, rather than other factors.
After further discussion, the Chairman requested that all commissioners read the completed
Master Plan, thoroughly. Sometime after the new Town Board takes office, it might then
be appropriate to have a joint meeting to discuss the plan and how all, or a portion of it
can, or should be implemented.
-2-
HOVEY POND PARK UPDATE
The Chairman relayed information about her recent field trip with the Director to see
firsthand, the situation with the Hovey Pond project. She explained what she had observed
and the Director again detailed what had been done and what tasks/options remained.
He explained that work at the site had been shut down for the winter, in order to give the
new Town Board time to further analyze and make decisions (engineering, need for a dam,
funding to finish the project, etc.). There was further discussion and speculation on what
the new Town Board would choose to do with the project, and it was agreed that a joint
meeting sometime after the first of the year would be appropriate.
PARK PROJECT FUNDING
The Director outlined the park funding recap sheet which had been included in the monthly
packet. He explained and answered questions about the amounts in some of the park project
accounts.
HALFWAY BR<X>K (GIRARD) PROPERTY ACQUISITION
The Commission reviewed the map and discussed the information with regard to the possible
purchase of a small parcel, on the west side of Halfway Brook, south of Cronin Road. The
site is wetland and is being offered to the Town by J. Girard. The Director explained that
the purchase of this parcel might make access to the Randerson property (previously
purchased by the Town Board) viable. After considerable discussion, it was decided that
before making a final decision, the Commission should visit/walk the site to see firsthand
the parcel's value as a future recreation facility. Those who can attend agreed to meet
on Thursday, December 12th at 1:30 p.m. to evaluate the Girard property.
1992 TENTATIVE COMMISSION MEETING DATE SCHEDULE
The tentative schedule of Recreation Commission meeting dates for 1992 was reviewed
and adopted.
DIRECTORI ASS'T. DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Ass't. Director Lovering presented a short verbal report and update the winter programs
which were either ongoing, or just about ready to get underway.
The Director reminded all commissioners that immediately following tonight's meeting,
an informal "get together" between the Commission and the Town Board was scheduled.
He pointed out that the new Town Board had requested the meeting as a first step in opening
dialogue between the two groups.
There being no further business, the Commission was adjourned at 8:09 p.m. The next
meeting will be held on January 8, 1992, beginning at 7:00 p.m., in the Supervisor's meeting
room (#37), at the Town Office Building.
Minutes prepared by Harry R. Hansen