1987-11-16
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QUEENSBURY RECREATION COMMISSION
MINUTES OF MEETING
NOVEMBER 16, 1987
Minutes of the regular meeting of the Recreation Commission
of the Town of Queensbury, held Monday, November 16, 1987, at the
Queensbury Town Office Building, Queensbury, New York. Chair-
man Granger called the meeting to order at 7:33 P.M.
PRESENT: Commissioners Bly, Granger, LaBombard, Lemery, Lettus
and Teti, and Director Hansen
ABSENT: Commissioner Simmonds (Ex.)
VISITORS: Councilman Montesi
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Teti moved to approve the minutes of the
October 19, 1987 meeting. Commissioner Lemery seconded the
motion and after polling all Commissioners, the motion was
unanimously approved.
COMMUNICATIONS AND REMARKS FROM VISITORS
Councilman Montesi reviewed and updated the Commission on
the status of the Town park projects (Ridge Road, South Queensbury,
Hovey Pond and Gurney Lane) and he stated that the Department
should continue to work on all of these areas throughout the
winter. He reiterated that the Town Board and the Recreation
Commission should maintain good communications, especially with
regard to funding for the continuation of these projects. He
mentioned that the Town's Master Plan was still in the process of
being updated and that once completed, would most certainly impact
on new developments and subdivisions within the community.
Because of this increased development, Councilman Montesi antici-
pated that the Commission's input, with regard to future recreation
facility expansion, would also be intensified. He suggested that,
based on the expected future development of the West Mountain/
Potter Road area, that the Commission give consideration to the
creation of a neighborhood park in this region.
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In summary, Councilman Montesi again reaffirmed his suppor-
tive role with regard to both the Recreation Commission and the
Department, in assisting them to achieve their goal of providing
quality public recreation.
Chairman Granger thanked Councilman Montesi for his
attendance and his interest in Recreation Commission matters.
Mr. Alton Dubois' communication was reviewed and briefly
discussed and it was pointed out that a copy should be forwarded
to the project engineer, Dick Morse. The Commission suggested
that the Director correspond with Mr. Dubois and thank him for
his interest and effort with regard to the Hovey Pond Project.
It was also suggested that the Director do everything possible
to encourage Mr. Dubois' future input and participation regarding
this project.
HOVEY POND PROJECT DISCUSSION
Chairman Granger briefly summarized the events of the past
3~ years as it pertained to the Hovey Pond recreational area.
He outlined the events since 1981 when the 10+ acre pond was
gifted to the Town by the Finch Pruyn organization. He reviewed
the Recreation Commission's past involvement with regard to:
park plans, cost estimates, negotiations with adjacent property
owners and the hiring of a project engineer. In conclusion, the
Chairman reviewed the Engineer's latest park design and cost
estimates to create a passive recreation site. In summary,
Chairman Granger commented that the Commission, as an advisory
arm of the Town Board, would seem to have proceeded as far as
they could regarding the Hovey Pond Project.
The Chairman requested additional comments and a number of
Commissioners were somewhat alarmed and concerned at the latest
cost estimate for the project. Commissioner Lemery reaffirmed
the Chairman's opinion in that the Recreation Commission had
completed its assigned task with respect to the Hovey Pond Project.
There was further discussion with regard to a possible spending
"cap" for the project and the Department's capital fund as an
avenue of financing for this project. After further discussion,
it was the consensus that the Commission had fulfilled its assigned
task with regard to investigating and recommending to the Town
Board, that a passive recreation area be created at Hovey Pond
Park, and therefore, Commissioner Lemery moved to recommend that;
"...they (the Town Board) meet collectively or individually
with the Engineer (Dick Morse) that we (the Town) have
retained for the Hovey Pond Project and proceed as they
(the Town Board) desire and that if they (the Town Board)
wish for any further input from the Recreation Commission,
that we (the Recreation Commission) make ourselves avail-
able. II
Commissioner Bly seconded the motion, and after polling the Commission,
the motion was unanimously approved. The Commission then instructed
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the Director to prepare the Commission's recommendation in
letter form and submit it to the Supervisor and Town Board before
their next meeting.
RIDGE ROAD PARK PROJECT
A number of Commissioners questioned the Director regarding
the Ridge Road Park structure (barn) and what was being planned
for the future. Chairman Granger was particularly interested
in the status of the roof repair bids which had been received
some time ago. The Director explained that B. Leaver (LA Group)
had not completed his total park analysis which was to include
an evaluation/recommendation of this structure. In the meantime,
the Department had cleaned out a portion of the facility and
expects to use this area for storage this winter. Many of the
Commissioners were dismayed that no decision regarding the
structure had been made and the Director was instructed to check
with B. Leaver, as soon as possible, to determine the structure's
usability as a storage facility. Furthermore, it was the con-
sensus that the Recreation Commission correspondence (11/17/87
recommendation), which the Director was preparing, should also
include a secondary request that action be taken by the Town
Board on this subject (Hovey Pond structure), as soon as possible.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Commissioner LaBombard (Joint School/Commission Committee)
reported on the events of the most recent joint meeting (11/6/87)
and reviewed the topics which had been discussed at previous
Committee meetings. Commissioner LaBombard requested additional
clarification on a number of topics including joint Committee
(Commission/Board) attendance, the School athletic facility
lighting options and the proposed contractual usage/liability
agreement (between Queensbury School and the Town). The Director
clarified a number of items with regard to the joint Committee
and there was further discussion on the lighting proposals which
had previously been received from B. Simione, the Quality Industries
sales representative. There was considerable disagreement and
confusion regarding the five lighting options and 'it was agreed
that these should be duplicated and sent out to all Commissioners
to be reviewed and discussed at a later date. The Director pointed
out that the status of the usage agreement was unknown at this
time and Councilman Montesi agreed to check with School Attorney
Paltrowitz regarding this subject.
Commissioner LaBombard suggested that a follow-up joint
Committee meeting be held as soon as possible after the Thanksgiving
holidays. This was agreed on and Commissioner LaBombard and the
Director will coordinate and schedule the next meeting at the Town
Office Building in early December.
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Commissioner Teti (Hovey Pond Historical Committee) updated
the Commission on his Committee's progress and reported that he
is in the process of contacting the Town Historian for further
information.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT
The Director's Report, which was included in the monthly
packet, was briefly reviewed and there were no specific questions.
There being no further business, the Commission adjourned
at 9:05 P.M. The next meeting will be held on Monday, December 14,
1987, at 7:30 P.M.
Minutes prepared by Harry R. Hansen, Director