1988-10-17
Queensbury Recreation Commission
Minutes of Meeting
October 17, 1988
Minutes of the regular meeting of the Recreation Commission
of the Town of Queensbury, held Monday, October 17, 1988, at the
Queensbury Town Office Building, Queensbury, New York. Vice-
Chairman LaBombard called the meeting to order at 7:4l P.M.
PRESENT: Commissioners Bly, LaBombard, Lettus and Teti
ALSO
PRESENT: Councilman Montesi (8:30 P.M.) and Director Hansen
ABSENT: Commissioners Granger and Simmonds (Ex.)
VISITORS: None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Vice-Chairman LaBombard moved to approve the minutes of
the July l8, 1988 meeting. Commissioner Lettus seconded the
motion and after polling all Commissioners, the motion was
unanimously approved. The Director requested that Vice-
Chairman LaBombard, in the Chairman's absence, certify the
official copy of the approved 7/l8/88 minutes and this was done.
COMMUNICATIONS
The Director reviewed the items of correspondence which
were included in the monthly packet and pointed out that the
Town Board had also previously received copies. Commissioner
Bly mentioned that he had not had a chance to schedule a visit
of the summer program sites with the Program Coordinator, but
that on his own, he had seen all the locations and was pleased.
GURNEY LANE PARK PLAN DISCUSSION
The Director suggested that a discussion of the Gurney
Lane Park Plan (Phase II park facilities) be deferred until
next month's meeting when more Commissioners will be in attendance
and this was agreed on.
...,
-2-
PARK PROJECT UPDATE
The Director reviewed and highlighted the other major
park projects which the Department has ongoing at this time.
The Ridge Road Park Phase I specifications are still being
reviewed by the Town Attorney in order to determine whether
legal action against the project architect/engineer is
warranted. In terms of park maintenance, Girard Landscaping
was retained to assist the Department with the softball fields.
To date, this firm has fertilized, spread a weed killer and
limed the four fields. Jim and his crew will return in the
spring to re-lime and hydro-seed the areas before summer
softball play begins.
The specifications for the repair/replacement of the roof
at the Ridge Road Park barn facility are almost complete and
are also being reviewed by the Attorney.
The School lighting project specifications are also in
the Attorney's hands and should be out for bid shortly.
The Director pointed out that Town Highway crews had again
begun to work on the park project at Hovey Pond. It is anti-
cipated that much of the park project work, ie. dredging and
clearing, can be completed this winter when conditions are more
favorable.
To date, the Director has received no information on the
status of the Town's disputed right of way through private
property in order to access the 60+ acre West Glens Falls parcel.
This too is in the hands of the respective legal council for
both parties and the Supervisor has assured the Department that
a decision, with regard to ownership, should be forthcoming
shortly.
Vice-Chairman LaBombard and a number of other Commissioners
expressed displeasure over the lack of progress and the time
lapse, with regard to a number of ongoing park projects. The
Director explained that some of the park projects which the
Department is currently working on have presented unique and
challenging problems. The Director assured the Commission
that, even though there seems to be no movement, that in fact,
there has been some progress towards completion of each project.
The Director briefly updated the Commission on the plans/
work at the South Queensbury Firehouse Park site and also
pointed out that Eric Rist has almost completed his Eagle Scout
project (nature trail) at the Gurney Lane recreation facility.
Eric had worked diligently on the 2 trails which should be
available for use by hikers when the park opens again next
summer.
-3-
NRPA CONFERENCE
The Director highlighted the 3 day National Recreation
and Park Association Congress, which he recently attended
in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Conference was extremely
worthwhile from an educational standpoint and in addition,
offered the Director the opportunity to meet with a variety
of suppliers of recreation materials and park equipment.
DISCUSSION OF FUTURE PARK SITES
The Director updated the Commission with regard to a
number of park and recreation issues including the Round Pond
question, the possible acquisition of property on Lake
Sunnyside and the development of the Town-owned Lake George
parcel (Sandy Bay). The Director mentioned that the Department's
1989 tentative budget allocates a substantial amount of funds
for a master plan, which should assist in helping to address
some of these possibilities. The new master plan will be
completed by an outside consultant and should be extremely
beneficial to both the Department and the Commission, especially
with regard to park and recreation planning for the future.
1989 DEPARTMENT BUDGET DISCUSSION
The Director distributed a summary sheet showing the
Department's 1989 tentative budget and the Commission requested
specifics with regard to the contractual account total. The
Director was also asked to explain the capital expenditure
account total including a breakdown by park of the project
items anticipated in the coming year.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT
The Director briefly reviewed his monthly report and it
was explained that the Town Board was still in the process of
selecting a replacement for Commissioner Lemery.
In addition, Councilman Montesi, who had just arrived,
briefed the Commission on a number of recreation related sub-
jects including the hiring of a new engineering firm for the
Hovey Pond project and the status of the Ridge Road Park project
contract investigation.
There being no further business, the Commission adjourned
at 8'49 P.M. T e next meeting will be held on November 2l, 1988
at t e Town Of ice uilding.
Minutes prepared by Harry R. Hansen, Director