1988-05-09
QUEENSBURY RECREATION COMMISSION
MINUTES OF MEETING
MAY 9, 1988
Minutes of the regular meeting of the Recreation Commission of
the Town of Queensbury, held Monday, May 9, 1988, at the Queensbury
Town Office Building, Queensbury, New York. In the absence of both
the Chairman and the Vice-Chairman and at the request of those present,
Director Hansen assumed temporary chairmanship and called the meeting
to order at 7:43 P.M.
PRESENT: Commissioners Bly, LaBombard, Lettus, Simmonds and Teti
ALSO
PRESENT: Councilman Montesi, Councilwoman Monahan (8:05 P.M.),
Director Hansen and Recording Secretary Wilson
ABSENT: Commissioners Granger and Lemery (Ex.)
VISITORS: None
ELECTION OF OFFICERS - Discussion
The Director pointed out that the Commission had unknowingly
overlooked the election of officers at their annual meeting in April.
Therefore, the Director requested to know if those present wished to
nominate a slate of officers that evening or wait until a later meeting
when hopefully the full Commission would be in attendance. After some
discussion, Commissioner LaBombard explained that the election of
Commission officers was important and therefore, he suggested that
the election be properly indicated on the agenda for the June meeting
instead. This was agreed upon and the nomination of officers was
postponed until the next meeting.
COMMUNICATIONS
The Director briefly reviewed the three page Morse Engineering
Hovey Pond report (Report on Hovey Pond Improvements - April 1988)
and there was considerable discussion on a number of items which the
report addressed. Both Commissioners Simmonds and Bly requested
additional information on the parking lot surface and a number of
Commissioners questioned the cost for picnic tables which seemed to
be rather exhorbitant. Councilman Montesi also expressed concern
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with the report but advised the Commission that work at the site
had begun. He explained that the sewer contractor, under the
direction of the Kestner Engineering firm and Queensbury Highway
Department crews, were working collectively to fill in the northwest
finger of the pond, immediately adjacent to Lafayette St. Councilman
Montesi reiterated, that based on the Commission's prioritized list
of park projects (1st priority - Hovey Pond), that he had requested
the Town Highway Department's help in doing as much work at the site
as quickly as possible. He further explained that Highway crews had
demolished and removed the old building and had laid more than 100'
of culvert pipe out into the pond. In addition, he reviewed the
arrangements he had negotiated with the Mallinckrodt Co. and the
Queensbury Central Volunteer Fire Co.
The Director updated the Commission with regard to the Trout
Unlimited Organization's park plan and summarized the correspondence/
communications which have occurred between this organization and
the Town/Department. There was some discussion regarding the '82
water quality test which had been done by the Queensbury Water Depart-
ment and the Commission discussed the sewer project and how this
would improve the situation.
The Town Attorney's letter to J. Fitzgerald, Attorney for
Northern Distributing Co., was reviewed and Councilman Montesi briefed
the Commission on what had occurred recently. He explained that the
Town's right of way through Mr. Carey's property was still valid and
that negotiations were continuing in an effort to work out an amiable
solution. He pointed out that Mr. Carey and the Town were in the
process of negotiating an agreement to provide a shorter, more direct
access route to the Town property without disrupting the proposed
light industrial park project. Commissioner Simmonds suggested that
another tour of the property would be beneficial in helping the
Department and the Commission to evaluate possible future park fa-
cilities and Councilman Montesi assured the Commission that he would
attempt to acquire an updated map of the industrial park project area
after the next Planning Board meeting.
Councilwoman Monahan explained some information with regard to
the three phases of Mr. Carey's proposed project and suggested that
a complete map of the project be acquired. The Director will attempt
to secure the map and have it available at the next meeting.
The Director distributed Mrs. Nacua's correspondence which
requested authorization to operate a mobile ice cream concession
operation within the Gurney Lane Recreation Area this summer. The
pros and cons of such an operation and the possibility of additional
concessionaires requesting similar approval in the future were discussed
and it was suggested that the Director investigate the possibility
of having the Daggett Vending Co., who provides the vending service
for the facility, install an ice cream vending machine at the facility.
The Director was instructed to investigate all possibilities, evaluate
the alternatives and contact Mrs. Nacua regarding her request as
quickly as possible.
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RIDGE ROAD/GURNEY LANE PARK- Discussion
In light of the fact the Chairman and the Vice-Chairman were
absent and because discussion of the two park projects is extremely
important, it was decided to table evaluation of Mr. Leaver's ten-
tative park facility drawings until the June meeting.
A number of Commissioners requested an update of the Ridge Road
Park ball fields and the Director explained that use of the park later
this summer would depend upon the contractors. Councilwoman Monahan
and a number of Commissioners, who had visited the site previously,
expressed their displeasure with the final product and it was the
consensus that additional work, yet this fall, would be necessary
in order to put the park in shape.
The Director briefed the Commission regarding the repair of the
Ridge Road Park barn roof and relayed that the Town Board had authorized
that the roof be repaired. The roof repair specifications for the
project had been written some time ago and Councilwoman Monahan has
agreed to review the specs before they go out for bid.
There were no Commission committee reports, however, the Director
relayed to Commissioners Lettus and LaBombard, who were members of
the Program Review Committee, that Committee Chairman Lemery had
requested a Committee meeting, possibly on May 19th, to discuss and
review the 1987 Summer Program Repørt. This was agreed upon by both
Commissioners and the Director will send out meeting reminder notices
shortly.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT
The Director presented a verbal report and the Commission was
concerned about the Gurney Lane swimming pool concrete crack. The
Director relayed that the Engineer, D. Morse, was not overly concerned
after having looked at the situation and has recommended a special
liquid filler to rectify the problem. The Department is fairly
confident that the crack can be repaired and repainted and that the
pool can open on schedule on Memorial Day weekend.
Councilman Montesi briefly updated the Commission with regard to
the Hiland Park passive recreation site and the new Town Environmental
Advisory Committee.
The Director reported on the status of the joint Town/School
lighting project and also explained that the West Glens Falls VFW
had presented the Town with a new 21' aluminum flagpole and a 3' x 5'
American flag. The pole was subsequently erected at the West End
Neighborhood Park and the flag now flys atop it.
business, the Commission adjourned at
will be held on June 20, 1988 at the Town
Minutes prepared by Harry R. Hansen, Director