1992-10-21
""
gUEENSBURY RECREATION COMMISSION
MINUTES OF MEETING
OCTOBER 21, 1992
Minutes of the regular meeting of the Recreation Commission of the
Town of Queensbury, held Wednesday, October 21, 1992, at the
Queensbury Town Office Building, Queensbury, New York. Chairman
Simmonds called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.
PRESENT:
Commissioners Auer, Carusone, Hersh, Labatore and
Simmonds
ALSO
PRESENT:
Councilwoman Goetz, Director Hansen and Ass't.
Director Lovering
ABSENT:
Commissioner LaBombard (ex)
Marylee Gosline, Robert Eddy and Margaret Seney
VISITORS:
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Labatore moved to approve the minutes of the August
12, 1992 meeting. Commissioner Hersh seconded the motion and after
polling all commissioners, the motion was unanimously approved.
COMMUNICATIONS
Chairman Simmonds welcomed the visitors (M. Gosline, R. Eddy & M.
Seney), and invited them to address the Commission. Marylee
Gosline, representing the Friends of Hovey Pond (FHP), relayed that
her group had been working since 1978 and that they (her group),
hoped to work through the winter to "design a park" (Hovey Pond).
She explained that other individuals/firms with design/landscape
expertise (Bently's, North VanGardens, Garden Time, etc.), had been
contacted and were willing to work on the park project, now that
the Town had completed the pond. She mentioned planting different
types of trees, flower beds and the maintenance of the facility and
introduced B. Eddy and M. Seney (Town Beautification Committee).
She detailed her plan which included developing the park in phases
over the next five years. She relayed that she had been in contact
with the Queensbury Central Fire Company with regard to parking and
access via a walkway at the rear of their property adjacent to the
pond. Marylee mentioned that an agreement (verbal) between the Town
and the fire company, for development/use of this "walkway" did
exist.
-2-
The Director was asked to outline the Department plan and displayed
the overlay map which depicted the site as it presently exists. He
briefly highlighted the work which had been completed since the
springtime (seeding, pond stabilization, parking lot excavated,
etc. ), and detailed those portions of the project which were
scheduled yet this fall (planting trees and the pedestrian bridge
installed). Furthermore, it was explained that Marylee and the
Director had met previously with F. Troelstra (Garden Time), in
regard to "advice" for planting trees. At that time it was agreed
that the Department would have no qualms about the construction and
maintenance of some f lower bed gardens within the park. The
Director pointed out that this was still the case, however, the
design and maintenance of the rest of the park was the joint
responsibility of the Department/Recreation Commission. To that
end, the Department had initiated contacts and made tentative
arrangements for volunteer assistance with the installation of a
number of park facilities including: the bridge, walkway,
historical time-line, parking lot, etc. Unless directed otherwise,
by the Town Board, the Department was going to continue developing
the park as well as making use of the list of
businesses/individuals who had expressed their willingness to
donate services to this project (FHP list -4/92).
There was considerable discussion relative to the
maintenance/upkeep of the facility and it was again pointed out
that when completed, the park at Hovey Pond would be a Town
facility within the Parks and Recreation Department. There was
also discussion on the list of donated services and disagreement as
to who and how to best use these services. Marylee pointed out
that she had solicited these donations and that they (her group)
preferred to make use of those services first (in their way for
their plan), before allowing the Town to use them. The Director
reminded Ms. Gosline that these donations had been solicited on
behalf of the Town, for a Town Park and that she had submitted the
list to the Town at a Town Board meeting (4/20/92). Therefore, if
the Town desired to use those donations in a particular way and the
firm donating those services had no objection, then she (M.
Gosline), should not be in opposition.
After further discussion on trees and flower gardens, Chairman
Simmonds summarized the Commission's position and reiterated that
the Department was moving ahead with park work (planting trees),
yet this fall. However, if Marylee's group or the Beautification
Committee wanted to work on a Hovey Pond flower garden plan over
the winter, that the Commission would be willing to consider their
proposal at a later date (February or March). This would then
allow the Commission/Department time to review and possibly
incorporate their ideas into the total park plan. Chairman
Simmonds thanked the visitors for their comments and the Commission
moved to topics under new business.
HUDSON POINT PLARRED UNIT DEVELOPMENT (P.U.D.)
The Director displayed two maps detailing the Hudson Point PUD
-3-
project and briefly reviewed the situation with regard to the
recreation fee vs parkland decision which the Town Board will have
to make, if the project continues. The Director reminded those
present that the Commission had toured the area (commission meeting
in July, 92), in anticipation that their recommendation (fee vs
land), would undoubtedly be requested, by the Town Board sometime
in the future. The small 5-acreoverlook park area, the possible
boat launch site and 94-acre parcel were all discussed and the
Director explained that the latter parcel was part of a larger,
more comprehensive land exchange which was being discussed and
negotiated by the Supervisor. Further information was unknown at
this time, however, he understood that the Commission/Department
would receive more details before having to make any recommendation
(fee vs land). The Director was questioned with regard to a time
frame and he explained that the project was still in the
preliminary phase and that until an application was formally
submitted to the Town Planning Board, that no action by the
Commission was necessary.
1992 SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAM REPORT
Ass't. Director Lovering distributed copies of the 1992 Summer
Youth Program Report and briefly highlighted a few sections. The
Director requested that the Summer Program Review Committee be
officially revived, in order to review the document. Chairman
Simmonds requested that because of a professional conflict that she
be relieved of the chairmanship of this committee. However, she
wished to remain as a member. Commissioner Auer volunteered to
replace her in that capacity and there was further discussion about
committees in light of Commissioner Sperry's recent resignation
(9/92) . Commissioner Carusone volunteered to assume the
chairmanship of the Hovey Pond Historical Committee and
Commissioner Hersh volunteered to replace M. Sperry on the Joint
School/Commission Committee. Chairman Simmonds also requested that
Councilwoman Goetz relay to the Town Board, the urgency of
replacing Commissioner Sperry as quickly as possible and she agreed
to do so.
1993 BUDGET DISCUSSION
The Director distributed a four-page handout (Department
Budget/Program Revenues), and explained the information contained
therein. He pointed out that the Department's 1993 budget
(requested) had been changed by the Town Board only slightly in the
expenditure categories (proposed), but that the anticipated amount
of revenue projected to be generated, had been raised
substantially. In addition, the Town Board directed that the
Department, with the Commissions's input, investigate possible
alternatives to further increase that projected revenue figure.
With this in mind, the attached revenue sheets had been prepared
and included 1992 actual figures and the list of program/facility
fees and charges which the Department anticipates could
realistically be generated in 1993.
-4-
The Commission reviewed and discussed the six revenue options
outlined and it was the consensus that the Director should gather
additional information (expenditures and net revenue), and present
the alternative to the Town Board.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
L. Mott, Queensbury School Athletic Director has requested a
meeting of the Joint School/Commission Committee and had suggested
November 18th, as a possible date. The two members of the
committees present (Hersh and Labatore), agreed to attend and the
Director was instructed to call L. Mott and J. LaBombard (third
committee member), and schedule the meeting for 7:00 p.m., on
November 18th, at the Town Office Building.
MONTHLY DEPARTMENT REPORT
Ass't. Director Lovering reviewed the monthly report and updated
the Commission on the status of the ongoing children's soccer and
flag football programs. There were questions on the ski lesson
program (West Mountain), and the status of the BMX
information/offer of support which was received during the visit to
the Rotterdam facility in September. The Director explained that
the latter program is in "limbo" until funds and, more importantly,
an area to accommodate the facility is designated. Only after
those items were addressed would the assistance offered by the
Rotterdam track directors be of value.
Commissioner Auer suggested that the Department, through its
seasonal brochures, publicized that new program ideas and
suggestions were always welcome. The Director agreed and will from
now on insure that future Department literature contain a short
message to that effect.
Chairman Simmonds and the Director again reiterated that the
Department would continue on schedule (with the Hovey Pond
Project), and that Marylee Gosline and her group would be
encouraged to help to design, develop and maintain the flower
gardens planned for at the park.
There being no further business, the Commission meeting was
adjourned at 8:44 p.m. The next meeting will be held on November
11, 1992, beginning at 7:00 p.m., in the Supervisor's meeting room
(#37), at the Town Office Building.
~o'{s.~
Minutes prepared by Harry R. Hansen