2001-12-04
QUEENSBURY RECREATION COMMISSION
Regular Meeting
December 4, 2001
Minutes of the regular meeting of the Recreation Commission of the Town of Queensbury
held Tuesday, December 4, 2001 at the Queensbury Town Office Building. Chairman
Simmonds called the meeting to order at 7:30 a.m.
Present:
Commissioners Auer, Hersh, Irish, laBombard, Maine and Simmonds
Also
Present:
Asst. Director Lovering and Director Hansen
Absent:
None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Irish, seconded by Commissioner Maine moved to approve the minutes of the
November 6, 2001 meeting. There were no corrections and the motion was unanimously
approved by voice vote.
COMMUNICAnONS AND RE~ARKS FRO~ VISITORS
Aquatic Supervisor Diane Herald hand delivered a letter to all commission members.
Chairman Simmonds stated, for the record, that each member of the commission has
received a letter from Diane regarding her response to a letter that was sent to her by the
Director.
The items of correspondence included in the monthly packet were reviewed and there was
discussion on the following:
The copy of a letter received from the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)
relative to the State owned Sandy Bay property on Lake George. The State has, on its own
initiative, resurrected the possible development of this property. The Director wrote a draft
stewardship proposal to the State in 1986 regarding this site, but no action was ever taken.
The State is currently redoing their watershed revitalization development plan and would like
to discuss a possible cooperative venture for this site. The Director will follow up on this
matter with DEC. The possibility of putting a beach at this location was briefly discussed.
Discussion of the two-acre parcel that the Town owns that is next to the State land followed.
Apparently, according to Chairman Simmonds, the land was donated to the Town by an
individual who intended it to be used to provide lake access for residents of the Town.
Director Hansen briefly reviewed his original Sandy Bay plan.
Discussion on property adjacent to Hudson River Park - Commissi<?ner Irish mentioned that
he had been approached by former Town Councilman Pliney Tucker concerning the
acquisition of a 140-acre parcel owned by Finch Pruyn at the end of Big Boom Road(adjacent
to HRP). Commissioner Irish explained that he knows Dave Manney (Finch Pruyn executive)
and volunteered to set up a meeting including the director to discuss the possible lease or
purchase by the town of this property.
The director's thank you letter to Commissioner Carusone was reviewed and Chairman
Simmonds mentioned that the personnel committee would soon be interviewing possible
applicants who had applied for the vacancy.
!,INFlNI$HED BU!iINESS
Oueensburv $,:hool Exoansion Pl'Qiect
The director met with Dr. lomanto, Queensbury School Superintendent, on behalf of the
commission/department to discuss the Queensbury School expansion plans. Dr. Lomanto
explained that they had previously passed a bond issue for 38.4 million dollars. They
anticipated that part of the funding will be for the relocation and expansion of the tennis
court facility from its present location north about 150 yards. They (the school) plan on
creating parking and a green area on the site where the present 6 courts are located.
Commissioner Irish said, as a taxpayer, he is concerned that the school is contemplating
moving the tennis courts to create additional parking. Director Hansen said that the school
would be responsible to move the six courts and the lights associated with those courts. The
town would be responsible for the four additional courts and, if the commission agrees, the
new basketball court as well (Dr. Lomanto's request). The estimated cost would be about
$125,000 before adding the basketball court. Commissioner laBombard does not think that
the basketball court is the town's responsibility.
Dr. Lomanto and the director agreed that if all 10 courts were built under one contract, that
the price would be better (divided proportionately). The school is hopeful that the project can
begin in the spring after the bids for the other building projects are let. The six courts could
be demolished after the new 10 courts are built. The estimated cost would be about
$125,000 before adding the basketball court. The Director reiterated to Dr. Lomanto that
additional input from the school is needed before the town can commit funds or retain an
architect and he agreed. Their plan right now is to go out to bid in January. We have a little
time before funds become available and a decision has to be made. According to
Commissioner laBombard the tennis courts are at the top of the list for add-ons. Due to
safety concerns the present location of the tennis courts is not considered adequate.
Commissioner laBombard remarked on a number of other items including: the school's plan
for the 10-acre Indian Ridge site, the growth of the student population, the planned student
sidewalk from the Indian Ridge site and his plan for a campus quad. He mentioned some of
his ideas: streetlights, benches, a bandstand or gazebo, etc. The director said that Dr.
Lomanto is supportive of Commissioner laBombard's plan.
The Director will set up a meeting with Dr. Lomanto and the commission for sometime in
January. He reminded the commission that none of the tennis court expansion project will
happen unless the primary school project comes in under budget. However, included in the
38.4 million budget is the expansion of the outdoor running track and the relocation of the
play apparatus area. There was more discussion of Phase II (school project) and
Commissioner laBombard will relay the commission's comments and report back.
Riverside Parts and Nature Preserve CRPNP1 Manaaement Plan
The Director has made some corrections to Jim Miller's Draft Management Plan and he
believes the plan is very progressive and will result in a good town park in the future. He has
talked with OS! and reported that they have spent over a quarter of a million dollars in the
purchase of the park. Therefore, they will not be doing a lot of adclitional work on further
park development, as was the case at the Hudson Polnte Nature Preserve. Subsequently, the
town's responsibility for RPNP improvements could be substantial. He summarized the
discussion and Indicated that if there were no additional corrections that the draft would be
returned to Jim Miller for final printing. OS! will then present the final plan to the town for
their adoption. All agreed
~EW BUSINESS
Tentative 2002 Commission Meetina SChedule
The tentative 2002 Recreation Commission Meeting Schedule was reviewed and it was noted
because of the holiday (New Years Day) that the January meeting will be rescheduled for
January 8th. The schedule was approved and will be distributed accordingly.
Bav Meadows Golf Course
Commissioner Auer relayed his discussion with Garth Allen, the owner of Bay Meadows Golf
Course, and will schedule a meeting including the director to discuss the possibility of
acquiring the golf course.
Recreation Commission VacancY
The vacancy has been advertised in The Post Star and the personnel committee will be
interviewing applicants in the near future.
COMM:rm:E ß~PORD
None
MQNTlfL Y DEPAI\TMENT REf!ORT
The Director displayed pictures of the four-section floating dock at Hudson River Park.
Commissioner laBombard expressed his concern about the dock and the water level. Director
Hansen noted the high water mark on the concrete abutment and assured the commission
that the dock will be fine and that the water will never over-top the abutment. However, the
recent low water level did cause a problem when the dock was installed. Director Hansen
mentioned that the Brownell Lumber Company had been contacted about the purchase of
another 10 or 12-foot section to neutralize possible low water levels.
Director Hansen distributed a copy of the department's budget presentation to the Town
Board and relayed that the board only cut $700.
Director Hansen mentioned the town's tree lighting ceremony on Friday, December 7ti1 and
relayed that all winter programs were underway and progressing well.
Information regarding a retail supplier for doggie-bagging stations at all parks was circulated
and it was the consensus, the idea had merit.
There being no further business, the commission was adjourned at 8:37 am. The next
meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 8, 2002, in the Supervisor's Conference Room
(#37) at the Queensbury Town Office Building.
/'
~'t~
Sharron Simmonds, Chairman
Minutes prepared by Harry R. Hansen, Director