1991-02-11
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QUBBNSBUR Y RBCRBATION COMMISSION
MINUTES OF MBBTING
FBBRUARY 11. 1991
Minutes of the regular meeting of the Recreation Commission of the Town of Queensbury,
held Monday, February 11, 1991, at the Queensbury Town Office Building, Queensbury,
New York. Vice-Chairman Sperry called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
PRBSBNT:
Commissioners Carusone, Hersh, LaBombard, Labatore, Sperry and Teti
ALSO
PRBSBNT:
Councilwoman Potenza, Director Hansen, Assistant Director Lovering
and Department Secretary Wittnebert
ABSBNT:
Commissioner Simmonds
VISITORS:
None
APPROVAL OF MINUTBS
Commissioner Labatore moved to approve the minutes of the June 11 th, July 9th and
September 10, 1990 meetings. Commissioner Teti seconded the motion and after polling
all Commissioners, the motion was unanimously approved.
Commissioner Carusone pointed out that the July minutes were incorrectly marked 1991,
instead of 1990 and the Director will ensure that this is corrected on the official file copy.
COMMUNICATIONS AND RBMARKS FROM VISITORS
The Director introduced Joan Wittnebert, the new Department Secretary and Vice-Chairman
Sperry welcomed her on behalf of the entire Commission.
The Director briefly reviewed the correspondence concerning the Docksider boat launch
area and his letter of response. He also explained a little about the history of site and
how the resident to the west has been somewhat "unneighborly" with regard to the Town's
public boat launch. The situation with respect to "right-of-way" and the launching of
motorized boats was also discussed and it was explained that the Town Attorney was in
the process of reviewing the situation and would, thereafter, render a "legal opinion."
A short discussion about the Docksider followed and it was the consensus that the
Department should make every effort to upgrade and publicize the facility, so that it
would be used more in the future.
PARK PROJBCT UPDATB
The Director outlined the status of the Hovey Pond project and displayed the site plan
map (Rist Frost). He explained that the purchase of the Pierce property, the linear parcel
on the east side of the pond had finally been consummated. This in effect would hOW
make it possible to begin construction (dredging) in earnest. He detailed the plans for
the diversion channel and briefly explained how the old spillways would be removed and
replaced.
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The Commissioners asked questions regarding the dredging and it was explained that the
majority of the material being removed from the pond was clay. The clay material seems
to be of value at the Town landfill and, therefore, the cost from this point on would be
borne almost entirely and paid for from the Landfill account. This does not change the
project which is still to create an 8'-10' deep, 6-8 acre pond/passive recreation area.
The only thing that changes is that Recreation funds will, at this moment, not have to
be used to build this facility.
There were inquires regarding time frame and overall cost, but the Director reiterated
that the Highway Department was working on this project as time and weather permitted.
It was noted that their first responsibility was still to the Town's highways and if Mother
Nature would continue to cooperate, then the project would continue at its present rapid
pace.
Some of the Commissioners were still concerned that a timetable for the project had
not been outlined and the Director reminded everyone that the initial estimate was a
5 year project using in-house manpower. This is still the plan, but is only an estimate,
unless the Town decides to bid the project out and have a contractor do the entire job.
Though other Town officials have indicated to a Hovey Pond area homeowners' group that
the pond would be completed sooner, the fact remains that no one knows for sure and
our best estimate (P. Naylor and I) is that a 5 year project is realistic.
MASTER PLAN UPDATE
The status of the Department Master Plan was reviewed and the comments (steering
committee) about the plan, which have been forwarded to R. Murman were discussed.
There was some discussion regarding the steering committee's responsibility with the
next phase.
1991 RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING SCHEDULE
The revised 1991 Recreation Commission meeting schedule was distributed and approved
(motion - Carusone/second - Labatore). The Director reminded everyone that the starting
time for all meetings was 7:00 p.m. and again requested that Commissioners call beforehand,
if they could not attend a scheduled meeting.
NEW PARK PROJBCT DISCUSSION
The Director distributed copies of the Department's Parks/Project (2/11/91) and reviewed
each of the park items listed. He explained that this was not a priority list to be completed
in the order indicated, but rather a list of all the Department's parks and projects which
were planned for. Furthermore, he explained that it was hoped that this list would be
revised and discussed by the Commission and that a subsequent "priority list" would result.
This joint Department/Commission list would then be presented to the Town Board so
that capital funding, to complete the projects, could be allocated.
There were many questions, comments and concerns expressed by the Commission with
respect to each park and the projects planned for. The Director explained that the list
was basically the result of the Town Board's direction to see more "bricks & mortar" in
1991. Therefore, he suggested that the Commissioners jot down their comments for next
months meeting. At that time the Commission would "brainstorm" with the staff to
prioritize a list of park projects which would be planned for and completed this year.
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DIRECTOR'S/ASSISTANT DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Assistant Director Lovering outlined the two new programs (scuba diving and
sailboarding/windsurfing) he was investigating for the coming summer and distributed
information sheets about each. He pointed out that he was familiar with both types of
activities and had even taught the latter for the Burlington Recreation Department. The
Commission expressed concerns with liability and the cost of equipment/instruction, but
Steve explained that both of these programs had been successful in Burlington, Vermont
and he was confident that this would also be the case in Queensbury. The Commission
also questioned where these programs would be offered and it was explained that the
Queensbury School pool was an ideal location for the scuba class. The location for
sail boarding/windsurfing program would be more difficult, but Glen Lake or Round Pond
were possibilities which would be investigated.
The Director updated the Commission regarding a number of winter programs (volleyball
and Gurney Lane Park usage) and there were some comments regarding the supervised
ice-skating area at Queensbury School.
There being no further business, the Commission meeting was adjourned at 8:12 p.m.
The next meeting will be held on March 11, 1991, at 7:00 p.m., at the Supervisor's meeting
room (#37) in the Town Office Building.
~~~
Sharron Simmo ds, Chairman
Minutes prepared by Harry R. Hansen