1995-03-08
QUEENSBURY RECREATION COMMISSION
MINUTES OF MEETING
MARCH 8, 1995
Minutes of the regular meeting of the Recreation Commission of the
Town of Queensbury held Wednesday, March 8, 1995, at the Queensbury
Town Office Building, Queensbury, New York. Chairman Simmonds
called the meeting to order at 7:09 p.m.
PRESENT:
Commissioners Auer, Maine, Schachner and Simmonds
ALSO
PRESENT:
Director Hansen
ABSENT:
Commissioners Carusone (ex), Hersh (ex) & LaBombard
(ex)
VISITORS:
Mr. & Mrs. Roland Akins, Mr. Sterling Akins, Mr.
Tim Brewer and Mr. Brendan Lyons (Post Star)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Maine made the motion to approve the minutes of the
February 8, 1995 meeting. Commissioner Auer seconded the motion
and Commissioner Schachner suggested that in as much as the
Department makes recommendations to the Commission and not
determinations per se with regard to program details, that the
minutes (page 2, last paragraph) need to be corrected. The
Commission agreed and the Director will make the changes to the
official file copy. The Commission was polled and the motion
(approval of minutes with correction) was unanimously approved.
COMMUNICATIONS AND REMARKS FROM VISITORS
The Commission reviewed the December 14, 1994 minutes (executive
session paragraph changes), and the letter from M.Brandt/West
Mountain and the Director briefly summarized both.
The Chairman welcomed the visitors and briefly outlined the
Commission's goal with regard to the Hudson River Park (HRP) plans
and the upcoming public meeting. The Director reviewed the status
of the proj ect to date (grant application, letter of intent,
meetings, etc.), and distributed copies of the tentative park
budget which was initially included with the grant application.
There were questions regarding the Town/State contract as well as
the budget figures and after considerable discussion, it was the
consensus that the budget summary should be approved and forwarded
to the Town Board.
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There were comments/questions from the visitors (T. Brewer, Mrs.
Akins) regarding the boat launch and dock (size, type, portability,
etc.), and the Hudson River Protection Group (HRPG) letter (R.
Brewer), dated 2/11/95 was briefly discussed.
A motion (C. Maine) to approve the HRP budget summary was seconded
(D. Auer) , and unanimously adopted and the Director will forward
the document (figures) to the Town Board as soon as possible.
The Commission discussed numerous items relating to the public
informational park project meeting and it was agreed that a meeting
in April would allow sufficient time for public notification.
After further discussion, it was decided that a 7:00 p.m.,
Wednesday evening meeting (4/12 or 4/5) was the best option in
terms of room availability and Commission/Board attendance. The
Director will check with the Town Clerk to confirm a date and
notify all concerned parties as early as possible. It was also
suggested that the Chairman meet with the Park Project Committee to
discuss and draft the meeting format including the agenda.
A number of visitors questioned some of the project budget figures
and requested an explanation of the estimated annual cost to
maintain/supervise the park. The need for play apparatus in
conjunction with no supervision was also commented on by T. Brewer
and there was discussion on West End Park and the recreational
services available at the site. The subject of park supervision
(HRP) and the possibility of unauthorized swimming were also
concerns mentioned by the visitors and the Commission/Director
responded. There was additional discussion about the Hudson River
including the feasibility of regulating boat traffic (motor size
and quantity of boats) in partnership with DEC and the other
adjoining communities. A number of commissioners pointed out that
the Town could only regulate those boats that might use the launch,
but could not impose restrictions on boats who accessed the river
from other sites (launches or private docks). The Director
explained that from a personal standpoint, he was in favor of
limiting motor boat usage (boat size and horsepower), but that the
final decision would be a Commission and/or Town Board matter.
Park user fees were also discussed and it was pointed out that
Harold Hagemann had mentioned (meeting 1/18/95) that the grant did
not preclude the Town from implementing a system of user fees
(residents as well as non-resident).
A number of other park subjects were discussed including traffic,
fencing, permanent rest rooms vs. porta-potties, where the Town's
50% matching portion might corne from and replacing some initial
park facilities with other alternatives. The project options which
Harold Hagemann explained previously were summarized by the
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Director and, in answer to a question it was pointed out that, if
the Town withdraws from the project, the property which belongs to
Warren County would almost certainly be developed and operated as
it had been in the past (informal unsupervised boat launch).
The Chairman thanked the visitors for their input and assured them
their comments were helpful and would be taken into account as the
project moved forward.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Commissioner Auer presented a verbal personnel committee report and
alerted the Department with regard to the hepatitis B inoculation
and how it might affect summer employees. The Department will
investigate further and take appropriate actions. There were no
further reports.
MONTHLY DEPARTMENT REPORTS
The Director briefly reviewed the monthly report included in the
packet and there was discussion on the seasonal programs which had
been adversely affected by the lack of winter weather. It was
mentioned that the weather was a major factor and certainly
affected many of the winter programs which were offered by the
Department.
The Director relayed information relating to the Hudson pointe
Planned Unit Development (HPPUD) and the 97 acre parcel which the
Town has accepted (Town Board resolution #114, 1994), in lieu of
imposing a per unit recreation fee. According to available
information (Town Board minutes, memo's, etc.), the Town has agreed
to accept the dedication of approximately 97 acres of property as
a conservation area. The area will be deeded to a third party, the
Open Space Institute (OS I), and developed and maintained by them
(OSI), for the purpose of passive recreation. A map of the
proposed area development was displayed and there were no further
comments.
There being no further business, the Commission meeting was
adjourned at 8:34 p.m. The next meeting will be held on April 12,
1995, beginning at 6:00 p.m., in the Supervisor conference room
(#37), at the Queensbury Town Office Building.
Sharron L. Simmonds, Chairman
Minutes prepared by Harry R. Hansen