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1985-11-25 QUEENS BURY RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES OF MEETING NOVEMBER 25, 1985 Minutes of the regular meeting of the Recreation Commission of the Town of Queensbury, held Monday, November 25, 1985 at the Queens- bury Town Office Building, Queensbury, New York. Chairperson Little called the meeting to order at 7:36 P.M. PRESENT: Commissioners Bly, Granger, LaBombard, Little, Martin Teti, Councilman Monahan and Director Hansen ABSENT: Commissioners Lemery (ex.) and Councilman Morrell (ex.) VISITORS: Rick Singer, Patrick Tierney, Richard Bennett and Patricia Wells APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Bly moved to approve the minutes of the October 28th 1985 meeting. Commissioner Granger seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved. Chairperson Little pointed out that the minutes did not accurately reflect the actual order in which some of the visitors spoke. The Director apologized and explained that the machine had failed to operate correctly and much of the minutes had to be pieced together from notes, the tape and the Director's memory COMMUNICATIONS AND REMARKS FROM VISITORS The Director briefly reviewed the correspondence, which was en- closed in the monthly packet, and then Chairperson Little welcomed the visitors and asked if anyone desired to speak before the Commission. R. Singer - requested to know if the Commission had given any further consideration to the Ridge Road Park as an ATV site. He commented that the wooded area near the stream would seem to be an ideal location for this type of activity. He also mentioned that he had just learned about the sixty acre Town owned river property and asked if this might be considered for ATV use. B. Little - advised those present that possible ATV usage at the river property site was to be discussed later on this evening under new business. P. Tierney - questioned whether anything had been discussed since the last meeting regarding the entryway to the Ridge Road Park. A1so, wondered about the cross country ski trails and whether they would be groomed. Mentioned the noise factor associated with snowmobiles and cross country ski trails and worried about this at the new park. -2- D. Granger - explained the procedure for grooming cross country ski trails and that presently there were no plans or equipment to do this at the new park. P. Tierney - mentioned that the surveyor had marked the boundries of the park but actually had never found the northwest corner of the property and would this be determined correctly at some later date. D. Granger - explained that the initial survey was done for the grant application and that before construction begins, the property will be more accurately surveyed. Also, reiterated that the park was still a long way off and that nothing would occur this winter. Furthermore, preliminary studies had to be made and additional meetings, at which the public would be invited, were planned for the future. P. Wells - commented about their concern with the noise factor and also mentioned about street lights on Rainbow Trail and Jenkinsvil1e Road which have been out for some time. B. Monahan - responded that the Town could contact Niagara Mohawk about the street lights or the homeowner could report it themselves. In this case, Mrs. Monahan would request the Supervisor's office to contact the power company about the inoperable street lights in the area. P. Wells and R. Bennett - also mentioned about a speed sign on Ridge Road beîng down and requested a copy of the minutes of the Commission's meeting for October and November. B. Monahan - responded regarding the speed sign and advised them to contact Paul Naylor. H. Hansen - said he would be happy to send out a copy of the minutes and would do so to all present. P. Wells, R. Bennett and R. Singer - wondered about the name of the park and whether the design for the park would be completed shortly, as per the timetable, and would those present be contacted so they could attend future meetings to add their input. B. Little - summed up the comments of a number of Commissioners, ex- plaining that the timeuable was only drafted for the grant application and that those interested would certainly be welcome at future meetings, at which the park was to be discussed. She suggested that they contact the Recreation Department regarding the agenda for future Commission meetings. R. Bennett - added that he would be very opposed to ATV usage at this park and that any motorized vehicles (snowmobiles and ATV's) in the park would certainly cause damage, including erosion and the destruct- ion of vegetation. D. Granger - responded that at this time, he personally would be op- posed to any motorized usage in the park. He also recommended to R. Singer that the Town would look more favorably and be more inclined to listen to an organized ATV group, who wished consideration of such usage anywhere in Queensbury. -3- UNFINISHED BUSINESS - NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS DISCUSSION Commissioner Martin requested to know the status of the Com- mission's recommendation to Dick Roberts and the Planning Board, regarding a local law which would require new sub-division contract- ors/developers to be assessed a fee in lieu of land for recreational use. There was some discussion by the Commission and the Director refreshed everyones memory and re-read the minutes of the July 22nd meeting, which stated that the Chairman was to draft a letter to the Planning/Zoning Board, recommending that they consider adopting this type of law (Town Law #277) as soon as possible. The Chairman agreed to draft a letter as soon as possible, to Dick Roberts (Planning and Zoning Board) and also send a copy to the Supervisor. HUDSON RIVER PROPERTY DISCUSSION The Director explained the map copy of the Town's Hudson River property, enclosed in the monthly packet and also showed the Allen Organization plan for development of this sixty-eight acre parcel. He èxplained that the plan had been done in the early 1970's and that in 1978 he had walked the property with Supervisor, Mike Brandt. There was discussion regarding the Corinth Road access, the actual location of the property and other questions which could not be answered due to lack of available information. The Commission asked additional questions, including why the project had never been pursued further, and Commissioner Bly relayed that the cost estimate to clean up the river, at the site, was prohibitive. He also relayed information about the history of the property as it related to the purchase and the initial plan for the development as a landfill site. The Director also added that the steepness of the property's terrain at the river was extreme and that when he viewed it, the river seemed to be too swift to safely permit swimming. Further discussion generated additional questions and the Director was instructed to visit the property and to dig out as much information as possible and present it at the next meeting. DIRECTOR'S REPORT The Director reviewed his monthly report and answered questions about winter program preparations, including the status of the proposed ice skating areas, at West End Park and So~th Queensbury. The Commission was updated on the status of the Gurney Lane Pool project and some of the Commission had seen and.were pleased with the work to date. The Director explained that the contractor hoped to finish the deep end completely and fill it with water for the winter months, which is the ideal situatiòn for concrete pools in this type of climate. Councilwoman Monahan suggested that there should have been more press coverage during the construction phase of the project and the Director will try to get the Post Star to take some pictures. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:41 P.M. The next meeting will be held on Monday, December 16, 1985 at 7:30 P.M.