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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. -2- 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. -3- 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 .... -4- 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