1988-11-21
,
QUEENS BURY RECREATION COMMISSION
MINUTES OF MEETING
NOVEMBER 21, 1988
Minutes of the regular meeting of the Recreation Commission
of the Town of Queensbury, held Monday, November 21, 1988, at
the Queensbury Town Office Building, Queensbury, New York. Chairman
Granger called the meeting to order at 7:37 P.M.
PRESENT:
Commissioners Bly, Granger, Labatore, LaBombard (7:45
P.M.), Simmonds (7:47 P.M.) and Teti
ALSO
PRESENT:
Director Hansen and Recording Secretary Wilson
ABSENT:
Commissioner Lettus
VISITORS:
None
Chairman Granger welcomed new Commissioner Frank Labatore to
the Recreation Commission and introductions followed.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Bly moved to approve the minutes of the
October l7, 1988 meeting. Commissioner Teti seconded the motion
and after polling all Commissioners, the motion was unanimously
approved.
COMMUNICATIONS
The Director reviewed the monthly correspondence which
included a letter from the Trout Unlimited organization dated
10/24/88. The Director also relayed that the Supervisor had
responded by mail to this group and that a meeting to discuss
Trout Unlimited's Hovey Pond plan was to be scheduled in the
very near future. Rist-Frost Associates, the newly appointed
engineering firm for the Hovey Pond Park project, will also be
at the meeting and has been given a copy of the Trout Unlimited
proposal and all other pertinent information regarding this project.
For the benefit of Commissioner Labatore and the others present,
the Director briefly reviewed the work which had been done to
date at this site.
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A number of Commissioners remarked that the new Trout
Unlimited plan seemed a bit more practical and that, based on
the cost which undoubtedly will be determined by Rist-Frost at
a later date, it might indeed be feasible.
Commissioner Simmonds requested further information with
regard to the Eric Rist/Eagle Scout project correspondence which
had been included in the monthly packet. The Director briefly
detailed the chronology of events since the project began, over
a year ago. It was pointed out that the 2 nature trails at the
park are approximately 95% complete and should be ready for use
when the facility opens in the summer.
Commissioner Simmonds was also concerned about the cross-
country ski trails which the Department creates and maintains
at the Gurney Lane Recreation Area. She commented that the trails
needed to be more clearly marked and labeled and that because
of steepness, certain trails also need to be widened. The Director
pointed out that much had been done at the facility in preparation
for cross-country skiing usage, this coming winter and invited
Commissioner Simmonds and any others who were interested to walk
the trails before the snow flies. Commissioner Simmonds and
Chairman Granger both expressed enthusiasm regarding such a walk
and along with the Director, will meet at the facility sometime
next week (exact time and date to be determined).
GURNEY LANE PARK PLAN REVIEW
Bob Leaver's (LA Group) Gurney Lane Park plan (diagram),
which was presented to the Commission at the March meeting was
reviewed. The Director explained that Mr. Leaver's diagram was
only tentative and that input from the Commission with regard
to Phase II recreation facilities was the next step. There was
discussion by the Commissioners regarding duplication of facilities
at Ridge Road Park and the status of the LA Group as the engineering
firm for the Gurney Lane project. The Commission also questioned
the short and long range goals for Gurney Lane and where on the
list of Department priorities, the construction of additional
recreation facilities at this site now stands. The Director
attempted to sum up and clarify the Department's capital fund
park project list including Ridge Road, Gurney Lane, Hovey Pond,
South Queensbury, West Glens Falls, and the lighting project
at the School. He explained that the funds for these projects
were being accumulated from developers by the Town since 1986
via the recreation fees "in lieu of land" fund. It was explained
that the Commission had previously submitted a shopping list
(July 1988) of recreation facilities to be included in Phase
II of the Ridge Road Park project, and that the intent tonight
was to do the same for Gurney Lane. After further discussion,
the Commission agreed and Chairman Granger requested input regarding
possible future recreation facilities at this area.
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The Commission's recreation facility list included: improved
cross-country ski trails, softball fields, basketball court,
tennis courts (hard surface or clay), outdoor pavilion, sledding
hills, clear out pond and repair dam, amphitheatre area, hard
surface "adult" play area (shuffleboard, horseshoes, etc.), tot
play area and additional parking areas. The Commission also
suggested that a new entryway and the thinning of trees on the
ridge line, in order to create a better vista, be included in
the list of future recreation facilities. The Director explained
that those 2 items had been included in the Department's 1989
budget in the capital fund account and that therefore, it was
not necessary to include them in a Phase II facility "shopping
list". The Commission agreed and after some further discussion
regarding funding for this project, Chairman Granger instructed
the Director to have the list typed and present it to the Supervisor,
as soon as possible.
HOVEY POND PROJECT UPDATE
The Rist-Frost Hovey Pond project proposal (11/18/88)
was distributed and discussed. The Director pointed out that
the Rist-Frost engineering firm had been appointed by the Town
Board to help redefine and outline the work at the park which
is yet to be done. The Director also mentioned that the Town
Board had agreed to the need for a completed survey of the Town
owned property at this site. VanDusen and Steves has subsequently
been retained and should complete this task in approximately
2 weeks.
The Commission questioned the Director with regard to
some of the items listed in the Rist-Frost Hovey Pond Park proposal
and there was further discussion on the firms anticipated cost
and the time frame mentioned, to complete the first 6 tasks.
The Commission inquired about the status of the project's
previous engineering firm (Morse Engineering). The Director
explained that a situation between the Town Board and the Morse
Engineering organization had arisen, which had subsequently precluded
the use of that firm, with regard to engineering work on future
park projects.
The recent Halfway Brook/Hovey Pond problem (downstream
siltation caused by a heavy thunderstorm) was also discussed
and it was pointed out that work at the site had been temporarily
curtailed until ENCON and the Town could analyze the situation.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT
The Director's monthly report, which was enclosed in
the packet, was reviewed and Commissioner LaBombard requested
that future Department/School basketball league correspondence
....
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be more carefully worded. It was pointed out that the Department
was not actually working with the entire Queensbury School Athletic
Department to co-sponsor the program but rather with a few coaches.
Commissioner LaBombard also pointed out that the notice of winter
recreation employment positions, which was posted at the School,
reflected an extremely low salary scale for wrestling personnel
when compared to other part time individuals. The Director concurred
with both items of concern expressed by Commissioner LaBombard
and agreed to remedy this situation in the future.
Chairman Granger requested committee reports and there
were none.
The Commission requested additional information on the
joint West Mountain/Department ski lesson program and also commented
on the Department's funding allocation which had been granted
through the NYS Division for Youth.
There being no further business, the Commission adjourned
at 9:08 P.M. The next meeting will be held on December 12, 1988,
at 7:30 P.M., at the Town Office Building.
D
man
Minutes prepared by Harry R. Hansen, Director