2001-09-04
QUEENSBURY RECREATION COMMISSION
Regular Meeting
September 4, 2001
Minutes of the regular meeting of the Recreation Commission of the Town of
Queensbury held Tuesday, September 4,2001 at Hudson River Park. Chairman
Simmonds called the meeting to order at 7:30 a.m.
Present:
Commissioners Auer, Carusone, laBombard, Maine, Simmonds
Also
Present:
Director Hansen
Absent:
Commissioners Hersh (ex) and Irish (ex)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Maine, seconded by Commissioner LaBombard moved to approve the
minutes of the August 7, 2001 meeting. There were no corrections and the motion was
unanimously approved by voice vote.
COMMUNICATIONS AND REMARKS FROM VISITORS
The items of correspondence included in the monthly packet were reviewed and there
was discussion on the following:
The copy of the letter received by both the department and the school, signed by many
individuals, requesting an increase in the number and variety of times the aquaerobics
classes were being offered, so as to allow more people the opportunity to participate.
The copy of the recently enacted State Law forwarded by Assemblywoman Betty Little
transferring the Hudson River Park property, to the Town from Warren County.
A copy of the letter received by Supervisor Brower (August 19, 2001) from a
homeowner in the Hudson Pointe area with pictures showing the result of horseback
riding in the park. The director relayed that the enclosed draft response letter would be
forwarded to Dan Luciano, Open Space Institute (OSI) after the commission had a
chance to review and discuss the situation. He also explained that OSI has no problem
with eliminating horseback riding at the park. An e-mail from Commissioner Irish to the
commission was distributed and indicated that he was opposed to restricting horses
from the Hudson Pointe Nature Preserve. Director Hansen said that if the department
could pOlice it (horseback riding) he would be in favor of allowing this activity in the
park. However, the horses are making the trails unsafe and this has become a problem
for other park users. Commissioner Simmonds questioned if there was a horseowners
association and agreed to contact her friend who rides in this area. Following further
discussion it was the consensus to table the draft response letter until the chairman has
a chance to talk with her equestrian friend.
A number of other items of correspondence were briefly reviewed by the director and
included the Hudson River Park-Army Corps of Engineers permit extension and the
Friends of Hovey Pond (HP) letter. He also mentioned that Simone Ramsey,
Receptionist Senior Typist, was responsible for the floral arrangement in the HP entry
planter box, as well as planter boxes at the other parks.
Pictures of the recent department sponsored kayak trip down the Schroon River were
shown by the director who mentioned that another trip is planned for September on the
Hudson River.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Ridge/Jenkinsville Park Upgrade - Draft Recommendation - Director Hansen distributed
the revised draft including Commissioner Irish's comments and mentioned that when
approved it would then be submitted to the Town Board. The board would then have to
appropriate the funds and the project could then be bid out.
COMMITIEE REPORTS
Budget Review Committee Report - 2002 Department Tentative Budget
Commissioner Simmonds reported that she and Commissioner Auer met with Director
Hansen to review the budget. They discussed salaries and especially the request for a
part-time position to assist in processing sign-ups and answer questions during the busy
summer registration period. Overall the department's budget requests are significantly
down this year due to no major equipment requests. Commissioner Carusone offered a
motion to approve the 2002 tentative budget that will be presented to the Town Board.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Maine and approved unanimously by voice
vote.
Commissioners Simmonds and laBombard met with the School Board and various other
school personnel regarding future school plans. Commissioner Simmonds was asked to
speak to Mr. Orlando, manager of the Aviation Mall, regarding the possibility of the
Pyramid Corporation building an ice rink at the mall location. This was Commissioner
LaBombard's idea and it was noted that other malls have done this as a business. She
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reported that her meeting/discussion with Mr. Orlando was productive but that he was
not optimistic. He expressed reservations about the idea; however, he is not a decision
maker and would be willing to attend future meetings concerning the proposed project.
Commissioner LaBombard reported, based on the meeting he attended, that the new
tennis courts would be built behind the present courts. A final decision had yet to be
made. They will use the old ones (tennis courts) while building the new ones.
Commissioner LaBombard said he thinks they're (the school district) is pretty set on
building a field house on the 10-acre Indian Ridge site; however, there will be no ice
rink. Also a final decision has yet to be made regarding the field house. Neither the
Recreation Department nor the Town Board is in favor of building an ice rink on that
site. Director Hansen disagrees with the moving and placement of the old courts from a
financial standpoint (lights); however, Commissioner LaBombard believes it is a good
idea from an educational standpoint. All agreed that the old courts need repair and that
a maintenance schedule to maintain both old and new courts will have to be developed
for the future.
MONTHLY DEPARTMENT REPORT
Director Hansen outlined the low bid submitted by the Brownell Lumber Co. in Edinburg
for a floating boat dock at Hudson River Park. The proposal is for 4-6'x12' sections with
a concrete abutment similar to the dock system installed by Brownell for the Town of
Corinth. The cost will be approximately $4000. not including the concrete abutment.
There being no further business, the commission was adjourned at 8:26 am. The next
meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 2,2001, in the Supervisor's Conference Room
(#37) at the Queensbury Town Office Building.
Minutes prepared by Harry R. Hansen, Director
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