1991-06-10
QUEENSBUR Y RECREATION COMMISSION
MINUTES OF MEETING
JUNE 10. 1991
Minutes of the regular meeting of the Recreation Commission of the Town of Queensbury,
held Monday, June 10, 1991, at the Ridge/Jenkinsville Park maintenance facility, Queensbury,
New York. Chairman Simmonds called the meeting to order at 7:16 p.m.
PRESENT:
Commissioners Labatore, La Born bard, Simmonds, Sperry and Teti
ALSO
PRESENT:
Councilman Montessi and Potenza; Director Hansen and Ass't. Director
Lovering
ABSENT:
Commissioners Carusone (ex) and Hersh (ex)
VISITORS:
None
APPROVAL OF MINUTBS
None
COMMUNICATIONS AND RBMARKS FROM VISITORS
The Director briefly reviewed the Supervisor's memo (5/6/91), regarding the purchase and
fnstallation of a plaque, to explain the details of the Randerson property acquisition. A
short recap of the history and the circumstances surrounding the property were explained
and it was the consensus that the Commission had been totally ignored in this process (to
purchase, or not). It was also agreed that at this point, nothing could be done and the
Commission/Department would have to make the best of it.
The letter by the Director to Mr. Frost was explained and discussed and the Commission
concurred.
MASTER PLAN UPDATE
The status of the Master Plan Report was outlined and the Director provided an update
on the contract, which governs the cost and work yet to be done on the document. The
finished product should be ready by late summer, or early fall.
SUMMER PROGRAM UPDATE
The Department's summer program/activity brochure was discussed and overall, the Director
and the Commission were pleased with the final product. The brochure is out in the
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community and it was noted that registration for many of the programs has to date been
excellent. The Commission inquired regarding where and how the brochure was distributed
and this was explained by the Director.
The staff briefly detailed some specific program information including swim lesson program
registration and Gurney Lane pool/pavilion weekend attendance and usage.
JOINT SCH<X>L/COMMISSION MEBTING
Chairman Simmonds highlighted the results of the recent joint meeting between members
of the School Board and the Commission. The meeting was held, so that the two groups
could meet to exchange ideas and brainstorm about future recreation activities and possible
joint ventures. Overall, the Chairman was pleased with the meeting and reiterated that
this was certainly a starting point from which additional communication between the two
groups should progress. She then requested input from the other Commissioners who were
in attendance that evening. Commissioner La Bombard spoke at length and was concerned
that the Commission was being manipulated and that the real reason for the meeting was
to discuss ice hockey, at Queensbury School. His overall impression was that the meeting
had a "hidden agenda" and that some of the school individuals present were more interested
in determining the Commission's reaction to a possible joint ice hockey facility/program
than anything else. Commissioner La Bombard's sentiments were echoed by a number of
other individuals who were present that. evening and discussion followed with regard to
the community's need for such a program or facility. The consensus was that an abundance
of available ice rinks/areas presently exists and to consider building a separate indoor,
or outdoor rink/building, as a prerequisite for the School to institute an ice hockey program,
were two separate issues. The Commission and Town Board members present concluded
the latter (ice hockey program) was the School's concern and that to construct either an
outdoor, or indoor ice rink facility was unnecessary at this time.
Chairman Simmonds summed up the discussion by reiterating that joint meetings and open
lines of communication between the two organizations were both necessary and worthwhile.
However, future joint meetings should be confined to the discussion of topics which were
germane to both groups. All present agreed with Chairman Simmonds and the Director
promised to keep the lines of communication open from the Department/Commissions side.
COMMITTEE REPORT-8UMMER PROGRAM REPORT
Commissioner Sperry presented a brief synopsis/analysis of the 1990 Summer Program
Report and requested clarifications about a number of items. The Director responded and
promised to report back at a later date on the items he could not answer.
DIRECTOR/ ASS'T. DIRECTOR'S RBPOR T
Both the Director and the Ass't. Director presented verbal reports on programs and activities
and the Director was questioned by Councilman Montessi on park projects. It was explained
that work (in-house) had begun at both, West End and Ridge/Jenkinsville Parks with regard
to landscaping and the construction of pic;nic shelters with cookout facilities. In addition,
there had been quite a bit of vandalism at West End Park and repairs to the facility have
delayed the new work which was scheduled. With regard to planning and work on major
park projects, the Director and J. Miller (architect), were moving forward in the design
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and layout of recreation facilities at the Gurney Lane Recreation Area and Ridge/Jenkinsville
Park.
FACILITY TOUR
All present joined the Director on a short tour of the Department's maintenance facility.
The building had previously been a barn, but had been transformed over the past 18 months
(using in-house labor), into a storage/maintenance shop for the Parks & Recreation
Department. The Commission was impressed with the work done to date and the Director
explained that considerable work still remained, before this building would become the
Department's "center of operation." A water source (well), a bathroom facility and other
projects were scheduled to all be completed, hopefully, in the next 12 months.
Chairman Simmonds suggested that the upcoming July meeting be held "on the road" and
after discussion, it was agreed that the Commission would meet initially, at the Town Office
Building and then proceed by vehicle to the Town owned, North Queensbury (Sandy Bay)
site.
There being no further business, the Commission was adjourned at 8:35 p.m. The next
meeting will be held on July 8, 1991, at 7:00 p.m., at the Town Office Building, for a short
business meeting and be followed by a walking tour of the Town property, off Cleverdale
Road, in North Queensbury.
Minutes prepared by Harry R. Hansen