1987-05-18
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QUEENSBURY RECREATION COMMISSION
MINUTES OF MEETING
MAY 18, 1987
Minutes of the regular meeting of the Recreation Commission
of the Town of Queensbury, held Monday, May 13, 1987, at the
Queensbury Town Office Building, Queensbury, NY. Chairman Granger
called the meeting to order at 7:33 P.M.
PRESENT:
Commissioners Bly, Granger, LaBombard, Lemery, Lettus,
and Teti, Councilmen Montesi and Monahan, Directbr
Hansen and Department Secretary Wilson
ABSENT:
Commissioner Martin (Ex.)
VISITORS:
D. Morse, B. Hague, T. Bigelow, G. Moran (Post-Star)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Lemery moved to approve the minutes of the
April 13, 1987 meeting. Commissioner Teti seconded the motion
and after polling all Commissioners, the motion was unanimously
approved.
HOVEY POND PROJECT UPDATE
D. Morse presented a schematic of the Hovey Pond project and
distributed a sheet outlining the cost estimates of the different
portions of the project. The engineer's drawing included some
reshaping of the pond, a number of islands, walkways, picnic sites
and a wildlife viewing station and it was pointed out that the
total project could be completed in phases over a period of years.
The cost estimate summary sheet was reviewed and specific items
including dam repair and the cost for fill material were discussed.
The ENCON permit time frame was also discussed and the consensus
was that if the project was begun this summer that the granting
of an extension beyond the l-year time limit, by ENCON, would
probably not be a problem.
Councilwoman Monahan mentioned that she would take the
initiative and correspond with Mrs. C. pierce, the owner of property
on Hovey Pond adjacent to the Town-owned parcel. This was agreed
on by the Commission and Chairman Granger requested a Commission
motion regarding the engineer's proposed plan, stating,
"...That we conceptually approve of the total project
if indeed, we can facillitate or negotiate accesses
across the parcels of property..."
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Commissioner Teti agreed to introduce the motion and suggested
that the Commission direct Councilwoman Monahan to negotiate with
the adjacent property owner, Mrs. Pierce. Chairman Granger pointed
out that this entailed land acquisition and was specifically
a Town Board function and was not necessary or proper in the
Commission's motion. Commissioner Lettus seconded the motion and
Commissioner Lemery requested additional clarification regarding
Councilwoman Monahan's limits of negotiations. Councilwoman
Monahan explained that she would talk informally with the property
owner and report back to the Town Board regarding formal action.
After additional discussion, Chairman Granger summarized and re-
iterated that the Commission was in favor of proceeding with the
project as outlined by the engineer and the Commission was polled
and the motion was unanimously approved.
OUTDOOR EDUCATIONAL CENTER PRESENTATION
B. Hague presented additional information including literature
on similar conservation/education centers and explained the daily
operation of such facilities and the funding criteria (construction
costs) involved. The Commission discussed the possibility of such
a facility and the Director responded that this type of project
at Gurney Lane would undoubtedly be a consideration for the
Department in the future (5-10 years). The Commission agreed and
suggested that Mr. Hague contact appropriate School officials
regarding this facility as a joint project on School grounds.
After further discussion and information from T. Bigelow on a
similar facility operated by the National Park Service in Delmar,
NY, Commissioner LaBombard moved,
"...To pursue this project. II
Commissioner Lemery seconded the motion and it was agreed that the
possibility of an outdoor learning center as a joint project between
the School District and the Town be considered for the future. The
Commission was polled and the motion was unanimously approved.
In light of the discussions regarding this facility as a joint
project, Chairman Granger volunteered and requested to be included
in all subsequent joint committee meetings.
CORRESPONDENCE
The Commission briefly reviewed the correspondence included
in the monthly packet and were pleased with the action taken by the
Town Board regarding a change of title for the Department.
The Recreation Commission's revised recommendation regarding
the Hiland Park property was also reviewed and there were no
comments.
The Director distributed Commissioner Martin's summary
regarding the joint School/Commission May 12th committee meeting
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and some of the items were discussed in more detail. It was
pointed out that the next joint meeting will be held on June 29th
and at that time it is expected that more information will be
presented on the cost to light specific School facilities, the
possibility of installing a public telephone on School grounds and
a student recreation survey.
1986 SWIMMING PROGRAM ANALYSIS
The Commission reviewed the 1986 swimming program analysis
which had been previously mailed to all Commissioners. There were
questions in regard to some of the recommendations and the Director
responded on the need for the additional picnic area fencing and a
number of recommendations which had been made by the Aquatics
Director, Terry Martin. Councilwoman Monahan had a number of
comments regarding the swim lesson program including the diving
lessons, participant information i.e. name of physician and the
possibility of the Department purchasing a solar pool cover for
Gurney Lane.
The Director elaborated on his plan for the old pool site
(picnic area) especially in light of the total acreage (120+ acres)
which has the potential to be developed at the park in the future.
Councilman Montesi expressed his wish to see the Gurney Lane
area developed as quickly as possible and pointed out that he and
the Town Board needed to be pushed by both the Commission and the
Department. Councilman Montesi expressed his disappointment with
the lack of development at Gurney Lane including nature trails,
ski trails, etc., and pointed out that he, as a representative
of the Town Board, needed more definitive direction from the
Commission. Chairman Granger explained that some work at Gurney
Lane is included in the 1987 budget and will be completed this
season. In addition, the Commission, some time ago, prioritized
a list of recreation projects and further development at Gurney
Lane is not, at this time, the Commission's number one concern.
Councilwoman Monahan clarified some of the original Gurney
Lane pool project plans (parking lot, paving, etc.) and reiterated
that the development of athletic facilities at Ridge Road was the
Department's top priority. Chairman Granger further explained
the Commission schedule of projects as was outlined some time ago
to the Town Board (Immediate and Long Range Plans, 1/87).
DIRECTOR'S REPORT
The Director presented a verbal monthly report and included
a status report on South Queensbury project. D. Morse is in the
process of completing his analysis of the Director's initial plan
and expects to stake out the location of the parking lot and the
pole barn shortly. Because of the liability consequences, D. Morse
is being consulted based on his engineering expertise, for the
major portions of this project.
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The Commission was updated on the status of summer activities
including the playground and swim lesson programs and it was
pointed out that the Gurney Lane pool will be open and ready
for use on Memorial Day weekend. C. Bergeron has expressed a
desire to return for her third year as playground coordinator
and Ms. Terry Alden, has applied for the Aquatics Director's
position which Terry Martin has chosen to relinquish this coming
season.
The Director and the Warren County Plànning Department are
combining their efforts regarding the Environmental Quality Bond
Act (EQBA) application for 50% matching funding for the Ridge Road
project.
The Director briefly updated the Commission regarding the
summer program brochure and also informed the Commission that a
break-in had occurred at the Department's summer storage shed
(School grounds) which resulted in the loss of a lawn mower and
a quantity of athletic supplies. The Department may be able to
recoup some monetary value, from the insurance company, for the
loss of this equipment. .
Chairman Granger suggested that there were matters to be
discussed in Executive Session and Commissioner LaBombard moved
to adjourn to Executive Session at 9:27 P.M. Commissioner Lemery
seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved by the Commission.
Returning to open session at 10:14 p.m. Commissioner LaBombard
moved to nominate Commissioner Teti as Secretary to the Commission.
Commissioner Lettus seconded the motion and there being no other
nominations or further discussion, all Commissioners were polled
and the motion was unanimously approved.
The Commission discussed the title change for the Director
and Commissioner Lemery moved to,
"...Ask the Town Board to change the title of Mr. Hansen
from Director of Youth Services to Director of the
Department of Parks and Recreation."
Commissioner LaBombard seconded the motion and after polling the
Commission the motion was unanimously accepted.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at
10:18 P.M. The next meeting will be held on Monday, June 15th
at 7:30 P.M.
Dale T. Granger, Chairman
Minutes prepared by Harry R. Hansen, Recreation Director