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1989-11-15 QUEENSBURY RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES OF MEETING NOVEMBER 15, 1989 Minutes of the regular meeting of the Recreation Commission of the Town of Queensbury, held Wednesday, November 15, 1989, at the Queensbury Town Office Building, Queensbury, New York. Chairman Simmonds called the meeting to order at 7:31 P.M. PRESENT: Commissioners Carusone, Labatore, LaBombard (7:37 P.M.), Simmonds, Sperry and Teti ALSO PRESENT: Director Hansen and Recording Secretary Schaefer ABSENT: Commissioner Bly VISITORS: None NEW COMMISSIONER WELCOMED Chairman Simmonds opened the meeting by welcoming Commissioner John Carusone, who had been recently appointed by the Town Board to fill Commissioner Lettus' vacancy. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Teti moved to approve the minutes of the October 16, 1989 meeting. Commissioner Sperry seconded the motion. The Director requested that prior to voting, the Commission take a moment to review that portion of the minutes which pertained to Mike Brandt's West Mountain presentation. He mentioned that there had been some comment with regard to accuracy and, therefore, he wished to have eVETYone review it one more time before voting and thus making it official. There werE! no comments or corrections and after polling all Commissioners, the motion to approve the minutes was unanimous. COMMUNICA TIONS The Director reviewed his cross-country ski trail lighting memorandum to the Supervisor, which the Commission had directed be written. at the October meeting. He pointed out that the Commission's comments about the project had been relayed in the memo and that the Supervisor had acknowledged receipt thereof in a subsequent memo dated 10/31/89. A number of Commissioners questioned whether all Town Board members were aware of the initial ski trail lighting memorandum and the Director explained that each Town Board member receives the same packet of information sent to each Commissioner. -2- A second item of correspondence (complimentary letter) from Ms. Karen Pound, a Queensbury resident, was also briefly reviewed and there were no comments. The Commission briefly mentioned the Town Board's responsibility and Commissioner LaBombard pointed out that the Supervisor and the Board, though frequently criticized, nonetheless have a tough job when it comes to governing the Town. The Director briefly highlighted specifics about the just completed fall children's soccer program and pointed out that in all likelihood, based on the results this year, the program would be offered again next season. The Commission discussed the third item of correspondence which was a copy of a newspaper article dealing with subdivision recreation fees. The article, which appeared in the November 7th Post Star, explained a recent New York State Court of Appeals decision that upheld a town's authority to require developers to help pay for new parks and playgrounds. The Director mentioned the articles timeliness in that West Mountain, Inc. was in fact disputing the validity of the recently revised 1988 local town law which addressed that very topic. In regard to that subject, Commissioner Teti requested an update on the status of the acquisition of the proposed West Mountain park site in lieu of recreation fees. The Director explained that there had been no action by the Town Board with regard to this question. However, he suggested that it would seem to be appropriate that the Commission give their input in order to assist the Town Board in making a decision. The Director summarized the Department's options including the pros and cons of developing a passive park facility which was located within the Adirondack Park boundary in the Town of Luzerne. The Commission requested current property tax information on the parcel in question and also whether or not the Town of Luzerne was in favor of developing this park jointly. They also were concerned with regard to whether this possible park had been considered in the soon to be finished Department Master Plan. The Director was able to shed light on a number of the concerns expressed by the Commission, including that the architect of the Master Plan had been apprised of the possible acquisition and development of this park. However, the Director mentioned that a number of important questions remained unanswered and that before making a recommendation, the Commission should know all the facts. Therefore, he suggested that rather than drafting a motion/recommendation regarding the West Mountain parcel tonight, that the Director investigate additional information including property taxes, the amount of money per building lot which West Mountain would have to provide, and what stipulations, if any, APA would impose regarding park development. He explained that the answers to these questions were certainly important and undoubtedly would affect the Commission's decision/recommendation. There was further discussion by the Commission and Chairman Simmonds summarized the deliberation by pointing out that there were still some concerns with regard to the viability of the West Mountain parcel as a possible future park facility. The Director reiterated that he expected that the Town Board would make a decision shortly with regard to either accepting the property or the per lot fee. He pointed out that as the developer, the West Mountain Corporation would have to pay the fee up front when final approval by the Planning Board was obtained. Though this puts a hardship on the developer, nonetheless, the local law is specific in this regard. After further discussion, the Commission agreed to postpone a decision/ recommendation until the December meeting, when the Director will furnish additional -3- information regarding the West Mountain Development Pl"oject parcel. PARK PROJECT STATUS The Director briefly updated the Commission regarding a number of park projects and mentioned that Rist Frost, the Town's engineering firm, had been directed to design the specifications and draw up the bids for the South Queensbury Park basketball court. In addition, the Director has made tentative arrangements for new park signs at both the South Queensbury and the Ridge/Jenkinsville Park locations. It was mentioned that work at Hovey Pond is still proceeding and that once ENCON gives written approval to the annual reapplication, that the Highway Department will begin dredging operations. This work will continue throughout the winter months when the conditions are most favorable for this phase of the project. DIRECTOR'S REPORT Chairman Simmonds noted that the Commission receives the monthly packet prior to the meeting and therefore requested that each Commissioner peruse the material beforehand. The Director detailed the fall programs which were underway and highlighted some of the winter programs which are scheduled to begin shortly. The Director briefly highlighted the NRP A Conference, which he recently attended, and thanked both the Commission and the Town Board for allowing him the opportunity. The Director relayed to the Commission that the Department's funding request for recreation program reimbursement in 1990, in the amount of $18,500., had been approved. A revised Recreation Commission member list was distributed and each of the Commissioners was asked to check his/her particular information for accuracy. Along this line, Chairman Simmonds brought up the subject of reappointment to the Commission and term of office. She pointed out that it was not a foregone conclusion that each Commissioner would be automatically reappointed and that in addition, Commissioners should not be offended if the Town Board said "thanks, but no thanks," with regard to reappointment. She mentioned that the Town Board might ask each Commissioner to draft their own letter requesting reappointment, as was the case (SOP) at higher levels of government. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:28 P.M. The next meeting will be held on December 11, 1989, at 7:30 P.M., at the Supervisor's meeting room (upstairs) in the Town Office Building. ~tlMrx-X~ Sharron Simmonds, Chairman Minutes prepared by Harry R. Hansen