1995-05-10
QUEENS BURY RECREATION COMMISSION
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MINUTES OF MEETING
MAY 10, 1995
Minutes of the regular meeting of the Recreation Commission of the
Town of Queensbury held Wednesday, May 10, 1995 at the Queensbury
Town Office Building, Queensbury, New York. Vice-Chairman Auer
called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
PRESENT:
Commissioners Auer, Carusone, Hersh, LaBombard,
Maine and Schachner
ALSO PRESENT: Councilwoman Pulver and Ass't. Director Lovering
ABSENT: Commissioner Simmonds (ex)
VISITORS: Mike Brandt and Pliney Tucker
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
None.
COMMUNICATIONS AND REMARKS FROM VISITORS
Ass't. Director Lovering briefly outlined several pieces of
correspondence including the two letters from Mike Brandt
concerning his future use and long-term goals for the West Mountain
Ski Area. A letter from Glenwood Avenue resident, Susan Whiting,
concerning traffic problems on Glenwood Avenue was also discussed.
The Ass't. Director explained that cars were parked on both sides
of Glenwood Avenue which creates a hazard for other vehicular
traffic, as well as bicycles and pedestrians on the roadway. It
was further explained that a Town Board resolution would need to be
adopted and sent to Warren County (Glenwood Avenue is a county
road) detailing the traffic situation and the Town's desire to
create a "no parking zone" on a portion of the road. Thereafter,
the County would either erect their own "no parking" signs or
direct the Town to install them. Director Hansen's letter to the
Glen View Social Elder-Club was briefly discussed and the
Commission reaffirmed its support of this group's effort to "adopt"
Hovey Pond in terms of assisting with the upkeep of the park. The
Director was instructed to research further with the Town Attorney
and the Town Board, any legalities that may be associated with the
adoption. The Director's thank you letter to Roger Dziengeleski
(Finch, Pruyn and Co., Inc.), was briefly reviewed and it was
explained that the Finch, Pruyn Company had donated the 600 brown
and brook trout used to stock Hovey Pond.
The Commission had several questions concerning the correspondence
from Howard Krantz, legal council for the North Queensbury
Volunteer Fire Company. Mr. Krantz inquired as to the Town's
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interest with regard to utilizing the old firehouse site (building
and land). The Ass' t. Director stated that the Department's
interest in the building would be solely for "Q-Club" participant
usage during summer activities (rest rooms, a source for drinking
water and, a phone for emergency usage). There were questions with
regard to the compensation that the fire company might request in
exchange for the Town's use of these facilities, and Commissioner
Carusone volunteered to contact Mr. Krantz on behalf of the
Commission, in order to obtain more specific information.
Mike Brandt was then invited to outline his long-term plans for the
Ski Area. He explained that in conjunction with the Town updating
its Comprehensive Land Use plan, it was his desire to advise the
Commission of the future recreational opportunities that may exist
at the ski area (i. e. mountain biking, cross-country skiing,
walking and nature trails). He mentioned that by enlightening the
Commission on West Mountain's long-range plans, that they (the
Commission) might then recommend to include those recreational
opportunities, as part of the Town's revised Comprehensive Land Use
plan. Mr. Brandt was questioned on several areas of the plan and
there was considerable discussion concerning how the plans would
mesh with the revised Comprehensive Land Use plan. The Commission
thanked Mr. Brandt for his input and after further discussion
tabled the matter without making a recommendation.
HUDSON RIVER PARK DISCUSSION
The Commission re-evaluated the meeting that was conducted to
ascertain public input concerning the Hudson River Park project and
reviewed some of the comments that were made by those in
attendance. The Ass't. Director reminded the Commission that the
list of park facilities including the tentative project budget
would need to be finalized shortly. Thereafter, the grant
agreement between the State and the Town, which would include these
elements, could be consummated. The Commission decided to postpone
further discussion of these items until the June meeting and
requested additional information on the project (substitution of
park facilities and updated cost estimates).
NEW SUMMER PROGRAM PROPOSAL
The Commission was briefed by the Ass't. Director on seven new
programs that the Department hoped to conduct during the upcoming
summer season. The Commission had questions on each of the
proposed programs and it was the consensus that these programs were
progressive and would be worthwhile as part of the total
recreational package which the Department offers the community.
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The Commission briefly discussed possible use of Adirondack
Community College (ACC) facilities and it was suggested that the
Commission initiate a meeting with representatives from the
college, to discuss possibly using ACC facilities for recreational
activities.
Assisting the Queensbury School District with the expense for
resurfacing the tennis courts was discussed briefly and several
commissioners expressed concern about setting a precedent, i.e.
sharing a portion of the cost to refurbish a non-town owned
facility. It was decided that further discussion and investigation
were needed and that a decision was not necessary at this time,
since it would not affect the school's project schedule.
Councilwoman Pulver remarked on the Glenwood Avenue traffic
situation and the Commission agreed that "no parking" signs as well
as an informational parking lot location sign would help to remedy
the problem. Subsequently, it was agreed that creating additional
parking spots in the Lafayette Street lot, would also be
beneficial.
There being no further business, the Commission meeting was
adjourned at 9:09 p.m. The next meeting will be held June 14,
1995, beginning at 7:00 p.m., in the Supervisor's conference room
(#37), at the Queensbury Town Office Building.
Sharron L. Simmonds, Chairman
Minutes prepared by Steve M. Lovering