1987-12-14
QUEENSBURY RECREATION COMMISSION
MINUTES OF MEETING
DECEMBER 14, 1987
Minutes of the regular meeting of the Recreatillon Commission
of the Town of Queensbury, held Monday, December 14, 1987, at the
Queensbury Town Office Building, Queensbury, New York. Due to the
lack of a quorum, those present conducted an informal discussion
(recreation park projects) until additional Commissioners arrived.
RECREATION PARK PROJECTS DISCUSSION
The Commission briefly reviewed the West Glens Falls/Hudson
River Town Property Analysis handout sheet and it was decided that
this subject should be tabled until Commissioner Simmonds arrived.
The Director reviewed the circumstances with regard to the
repair/replacement of the Ridge Road Park barn roof and there was
considerable discussion between Commissioners and Councilman
Montesi regarding this matter. It was explained that the repair
of the barn roof had been informally bid out this past summer and
that two roofing contractors had submitted repair estimates of
$6,850. and $8,000. The Director provided information with regard
to the municipal bid ceiling limit (under $7,000. need not be bid
out) and reiterated that the Department could certainly make use of
the barn as a storage facility. The consensus, after further dis-
cussion, was that due to the lack of communication, the project to
repair or replace the barn roof had been delayed far too long. In
order to expedite the Ridge Road roof repair situation, Councilman
Montesi volunteered to discuss the matter at an upcoming Board
meeting (12/16/87). At that time, he would ask the Board to make
a decision to either accept the low estimate which had previously
been received or re-bid the project formally.
Chairman Granger called the meeting to order at 7:40 P.M.
PRESENT:
Commissioners Bly, Granger, LaBombard, Lettus and
Simmonds (8:01 P.M.)
ALSO
PRESENT:
Councilman Montesi, Recreation Director Hansen and
Recording Secretary Wilson
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ABSENT: Commissioners Lemery (Ex.) and Teti (Ex.)
VISITORS: None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Bly moved to approve the minutes of the
November 16, 1987 meeting. Commissioner Lettus seconded the
motion and after polling all Commissioners, the motion was un-
animously approved.
COMMUNICATIONS AND REMARKS FROM VISITORS
The Commission reviewed the correspondence (Town Board letter
11/17/87) which was included in the monthly packet, and Councilman
Montesi explained that the Board, at their December meeting, had
deferred any action on the subject of Hovey Pond, until after the
first of the year. Some of the Commissioners present expressed
their dissatisfaction with the Board's lack of action with regard
to the park plans at Hovey Pond. The Commission again pointed out
that as an advisory body, they had completed their assigned task
and done as much as they could do. Councilman Montesi agreed and
explained that the Board was still negotiating with the néighbor
adjacent to the park and that this was part of the reason for the
delay. He reiterated that the Town Board would address the topic
of Hovey Pond Park sometime after the first of the year.
The Director briefly reviewed his letter (11/17/87) in response
to Mr. Alton Dubois' correspondence (10/13/87) and there was no
further discussion.
JOINT SCHOOL/TOWN CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT - DISCUSSION
Councilman Montesi briefed the Commission with regard to his
discussion with L. Paltrowitz, Attorney for the School District.
The School Attorney was in the process of drafting a contingent
liability usage agreeement between the School and the Town and
this document would probably be forwarded to the Town Attorney
shortly. With regard to an agreement to undertake a project
jointly, Councilman Montesi explained that L. Paltrowitz mentioned
that such an agreement was usually drawn up at the time such a
project was decided upon.
The Director explained that the December 3rd joint School/
Recreation Commission meeting had been cancelled due to a conflict
(School personnel) and that a January 14th meeting has been re-
scheduled at the Town Office Building in its place. Commissioner
LaBombard pointed out that it was imperative that as many Recreation
Commissioners and Town Board members as possible attend this
upcoming meeting. The Director mentioned that reminder notices
about this meeting will be sent out after the first of the year.
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WEST GLENS FALLS TOWN PROPERTY DISCUSSION
The Director explained the WGF/Hudson River Town Property
Map/Analysis which was included in the monthly packet. (Commissioner
Simmonds arrived 8:01 P.M.) He reviewed the map and the attached
property sheet and pointed out that Commissioners LaBombard, Lettus,
Simmonds and Teti had recently toured the property with the Director
in November. Both Commissioner Simmonds and LaBombard expressed
their assessment of the two parcels in terms of having potential
for future development as a recreation site. The Director agreed
but pointed out that based on present Town tax maps, that the two
parcels were land-locked. Commissioner Bly disagreed with the map
and explained that the Town had been granted a right of way/access
behind the Carey property (Northern Distributors). Commissioner
Bly further explained that both parcels had originally been pur-
chased for $87,000. and this was to be the site of a future Town
landfill. Councilman Montesi questioned the value of a Town land-
fill which had no access and again Commissioner Bly explained that
the maps were incorrect. Commissioner LaBombard and the Director
pointed out, that the current map indicated, that the closest point
of access was to park at the end of Merritt Road and continue on
foot across Mr. J. Lebowitz's property (parcel #19 - Town map).
Commissioner Simmonds, speaking on behalf of the Land Use Advisory
Committee, mentioned that the existence of these two parcels had
just come to light and that the site should be investigated as a
potential recreation area. The Director explained that he had
walked the property initially in 1978 with former Supervisor Brandt.
His assessment, at that time, was that the river seemed to flow
too quickly and was not suitable as a swimming facility. There was
further discussion regarding the unauthorized use of the property
by off road vehicles and Councilman Montesi requested information
on a number of topographical aspects of the site including: the
intermittent stream, the elevation of the bluff area and the lower
boggy/marsh area. The consensus was that the site (parcel #1 -
Town map) was ideal as a semi-wilderness recreation area. However,
parcel #2 - high bluff area) was fairly flat and a portion of this
site could be developed for use as an active recreation area, ie.
ballfields, tennis courts, etc. The dilemma regarding legal access
to the Town's property was again argued and Commissioner Bly pointed
out that the Allen Organization (Rist/Frost) had completed a study
on the suitability of this property as a recreation facility. The
Director distributed the Department file copy of the 1971 Riverside
Park Plan, which Commissioner Bly had alluded to, and there was
some discussion. Commissioner Bly explained that Town Board action
on the report had been deferred at that time, primarily because of
the estimated cost of the entire project.
Chairman Granger pointed out that Commissioner Simmonds seemed
to be extremely interested in the development of this property as
a recreation area, and requested that she accept the chairmanship
of the Riverside Park Committee. The Chairman also asked Commissioner
LaBombard to serve on the Committee and both agreed. The Committee
will investigate, in more detail, the Riverside Park property and
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make recommendations as to the future development of this property.
Councilman Montesi ment~oned that the Town Board had been
contacted by the owner (W. & M. Carey) of Northern Distributors
(parcel #30 - Town map) which borders the Town's property on the
east. Mr. Carey is considering developing a subdivision (residential/
industrial park site) in the West Glens Falls area and would be
interested in purchasing the two Town parcels. Therefore, before
making a decision, the Town Board was seeking input from the
Recreation Commission with regard to: actual property value and/or
resale value, the potential as a recreation site, the question
of access/right of way to the parcels, and the cost to develop all
or a portion of the property. Furthermore, Councilman Montesi
pointed out that there were many options available and that the
Town Board did not desire to make a hasty decision.
Chairman Granger mentioned that it was imperative that the
Riverside Park Committee analyze and evaluate the potential of
the Riverside property quickly and report back to the entire
Commission as soon as possible. Thereafter, the Commission will
make a recommendation to the Town Board.
Commissioner LaBombard requested additional information about
parcel #45 (Town map - 7.20A vacant lot) and Councilman Montesi
confirmed that this was the Town's sand pit.
Chairman Granger reiterated that the Committee should make
every effort to determine if there, in fact, is access to the
Town-owned properties (parcel #1 and #2 - Town map) and requested
that Commissioner Bly undertake to investigate this situation
further. Commissioner Bly reaffirmed that a Town right of way
did exist, that it was a legal road, and agreed to research the
matter and contact Commissioner Simmonds (Riverside Park Committee
Chairman) .
DIRECTOR'S REPORT
The Director briefly reviewed his monthly report which was
enclosed in the packet and there was discussion on winter programs
and the 11 month budget update.
Commissioner LaBombard and the Director explained an incident
which occurred the previous Saturday at the School gym that involved
the Department's Saturday basketball league program. Following
further discussion, it was agreed that there had been a lack of
communication between School personnel and the program supervisor
and the Director will visit the site to alleviate any future
misunderstandings.
The Commission reviewed the 1988 schedule of monthly meeting
dates and they were approved.
Chairman Granger suggested that open communication between the
Recreation Commissions of Glens Falls and Queensbury was something
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that could benefit both communities. He mentioned that the two
program directors had been working jointly on programs for some
time and that it was time for the two Commissions to begin working
together. The Commission was supportive and after further dis-
cussion, Commissioner LaBombard moved,
"...to have the Cháirman draft a letter to the Chairman of
the Glens Falls Recreation Commission to open avenues of
dialogue. II
Commissioner Simmonds seconded the motion, and after polling all
Commissioners, the motion was unanimously approved.
There being no further business, the Commission adjourned
at 8:56 P.M. The next meeting will be held on Monday, January 18, 1988,
at 7:30 P.M.
Minutes prepared by Harry R. Hansen, Director