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1990-11-19 QUEENSBUR Y RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES OF MEETING NOVEMBER 19, 1990 Minutes of the regular meeting of the Recreation Commission of the Town of Queensbury, held Monday, November 19, 1990, at the Queensbury Town Office Building, Queensbury, New York. Chairman Simmonds called the meeting to order at 7:37 p.m. PRESENT: Commissioners Hersh, Labatore, Simmonds, Sperry and Teti ALSO PRESENT: Director Hansen and Recreation Program Specialist Lovering ABSENT: Commissioners Carusone and LaBombard (ex) VISITORS: None INTRODUCTIONS Chairman Simmonds requested all Commissioners introduce themselves and then the Director introduced Steven M. Lovering, the new full-time Department Recreation Program Specialist. Steve is a 1988 graduate of Caselton State College with a degree in Parks and Recreation. He began employment with the Department on November 12th and will be responsible for overseeing a number of ongoing seasonal programs and activities as well as developing new ones. His employment should free up the Director to the extent that he can work on park planning and development. Chairman Simmonds, on behalf of the Commission welcomed Steve and he was invited to briefly outline his past work experience and a little about himself. He relayed that he was anxious to get into park and recreation programming and was looking forward to the challenge of his new job responsibilities. APPROVAL OF MINUTES None COMMUNICATIONS The Director distributed copies of the, Supervisor's letter (1l/16/9I) to Mr. Matt Rist who had communicated by letter previously, regarding the condition of the nature trails at the Gurney Lane Recreation Area. The Director pointed out that he was disappointed that the Supervisor would respond without first learning all the facts. He mentioned that the situation was not as Mr. Rist had stated (trails lacked attention and were not being kept up) and that the Supervisor's letter indicates that something would be fixed that did not need fixing. The Director has contacted the young man by phone and determined that he was in the park in early November (special weekend work) as a member of his scout troop working on the eagle scout project mentioned last month (Commission meeting 10/90). In viewing his brother's handiwork (nature trails), which along with the entire park had been closed for more than 6 weeks, he incorrectly surmised that the trails were "not being kept up" and thus he wrote the letter. This was incorrect and was explained to him and he mentioned that he only wrote the letter in order to complete a requirement for his citizenship scout merit -2- badge. After further discussion the Director assured the Commission that he would respond in writing to the Supervisor this same information. TOWN/SCHOOL LIGHTING PROJECT The Director reviewed the joint lighting project which culminated recently with the official lighting ceremony held on Monday evening October 29th. At that time Dr. Irion and Supervisor Borgos tripped the circuit breaker illuminating the six tennis and one basketball court. A number of School and Town officials were present to see the end result of more than two years of work and effort on the part of many individuals. The final cost for the entire project was $75,399.00, which included change orders for the underground wiring (Aviation Road) and the extra lighting control option (ice skating shed). The latter will enable the Department to relocate the ice warming facility (separate electrical circuit) and thus make the lights available for winter usage (ice skating). This plan (move warming shed) has been tentatively approved by the School and should make for better ice skating conditions (flat surface and better lighting). In addition, this will also show year round usage of the lighting facilities and better justify the expenditure of Town funds for this project. The Director explained additional lighting information in detail, including the many functions of the automatic timer system, funding for this project and how the cost of operation/usage will be paid. The latter is yet to be decided but the Director relayed that the Department will undoubtely pay the entire bill each month and then be reimbursed by the School District for half the cost. In any case, the first bill will not arrive for sometime and a decision will certainly have been made before then. The Commission had questions regarding the lighting fixtures, anticipated bulb life and how long this fall the lights would be available for use. It was explained that the Supervisor wished the lights to be on as much as possible, weather permitting, and that the Director and School personnel (L. Mott &: S. Washburn) were corresponding on a weekly basis with regard to this. The Director confirmed that as soon as conditions dictated, that the School would remove the tennis nets and Hour Electric would be contacted to realign the lights for ice skating usage. However, until that time free tennis and basketball court lighting would be available until 8:00 or 9:00 p.m. nightly. The Commission also commented on the lack of spill and/or glare produced by the lights on Aviation Road and inquired about negative comments from the public. The Director responded that to-date he had received no complaints, but that it was still early and undoubtedly the Department would hear from residents who were opposed to the Town lighting these facilities. The Director summarized the project and mentioned that adult group tennis lessons in 1991 would be offered in the evening as well as during the day. Because of the lights many adults who normally work during the day, will be able to take advantage of the evening group lessons which the Department will offer. MASTER PLAN PUBLIC MEETING The Director highlighted the November 1st public meeting at which the draft Inventory and Analysis portion of the Department Master Plan was presented. He relayed that approximately 25 individuals were present to listen and make comments to the presentation by Murman Associates. Overall he explained that he was disappointed by the number of residents who attended and had hoped that there would be more feedback both pro and con from the public. In any case, those present did provide some input and there will be one more opportunity for public input when the draft of the final document with recommendations, is presented. Prior to that the Town Board/staff, Steering Committee and the Commission will have a chance to react -3- both verbally and in writing to this draft copy. A number of Commissioners concurred with the Directors analysis and agree to attend the final public meeting to comment before the draft master plan becomes final. DEPARTMENT BUDGET UPDATE The Director distributed a summary of the Department's tentative 1991 budget and he detailed most of the major line items which were being requested. The capital accounts were discussed and it was explained that these accounts (park project accounts) were not scheduled to be funded in 1991 through the general fund. Instead, the Board has instructed the Department to use the funds available in the "Recreation Fee/Subdivision Account" for this purpose. This will of course diminish this account considerably, however, the use of these funds was intended for this very purpose. Overall the Director expressed confidence that the Department budget would be approved with only minor changes by the Board. DIRECTOR'S REPORT The Director explained that Elaine, the Department's secretary had chosen not to return to work and relayed information about the surprise party planned for her at the Docksider on Thursday, December 6th. In addition, Patty Potenza, who was only substituting, will be moving to Albany after the first of the year. Therefore, she too will be terminating her employment (as of December 1st) and the Department will now have to find a full-time replacement. This position is civil service in the clerk/typist category and therefore, the Department will have to choose a replacement individual from the Warren County list. A number of park projects were detailed by the Director including some Ridge/Jenkinsville Park barn repairs and leveling the ice skating area at the South Queensbury firehouse. Chairman Simmonds mentioned that Commission bylaws do not require a monthly meeting. Therefore, considering the Department's workload and the agenda of upcoming Commission business, she proposed that the December meeting be cancelled. This was agreed to unanimously and the Director was instructed to notify all concerned (Board, press and other Commissioners). The Commission also discussed changing the starting time for future meetings and it was unanimously agreed that beginning in 1991, all Commission meetings would begin at 7:00 p.m. instead of 7:30 p.m. The Director will draft a memo to all concerned and distribute it in December. There being no further business, the Commission meeting was adjourned at 8:43 p.m. The next meeting will be held on January 14, 1991, at 7:30 p.m., in the Supervisor's meeting room (#37), in the Town Office Building. Minutes prepared by Harry R. Hansen