1986-09-08
QUEENSBURY RECREATION COMMISSION
MINUTES OF MEETING
SEPTEMBER 8, 1986
Minutes of the regular meeting of the Recreation Commission
of the Town of Queensbury, held Monday, September 8, 1986 at the
Queensbury Town Office Building, Queensbury, New York. Chairperson
Lìttle called the meeting to order at 7:33 p.m.
PRESENT:
Commissioners Bly, Granger, LaBombard, Lemery, Little
Martin, Councilwoman Monahan and Director Hansen
ABSENT:
Commissioner Teti (ex.)
VISITORS:
Chris Bergeron
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Granger moved to approve the minutes of the
May 12th, June 9th and July 14th meetings. Commissioner Lemery
seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
COMMUNICATIONS AND REMARKS FROM VISITORS
Chairperson Little read the correspondence received from
Mr. & Mrs. Ellingsworth and Mrs. Frachia regarding summer pro-
grams. The approval letter from ENCON regarding the Town's
application for work at Hovey Pond was also read and discussed
and the Commission was concerned that no action had been taken
by the Town Board. The Chairperson was directed to request
(via the monthly letter) that action on the Commission's Hovey
Pond recommendations be acted on as soon as possible.
The Director pointed out that ENCON's approval for the project
had a time limit of twelve months, and would end in September,
1987.
The Commission again discussed their role as an advisory arm
of the Town Board and there was concern regarding the Commission's
input on a number of recreation projects being considered at this
time. Councilwoman Monahan and the Commission discussed the need
for more communications between the two groups and the Commission
again reiterated their desire to assist the Board in any way
possible regarding recreation projects.
Mr. Singer's letter regarding a Town ATV area was also re-
viewed and the Commission deferred any action until a later date.
Recreation Commission Minutes
September 8, 1986
Page 2
The Department's request to transfer funds internally was
also reviewed and the Director explained the need for this request.
The Commission questioned some of the unbudgeted expenditures and
the Director was instructed to find out about the legal costs and
some of the West End Park expenses.
The Boy Scout Camporee request was distributed and discussed
and the Commission agreed with the Director that the Town should
make every effort to accommodate the Scout's request to use the
old Warren County Health Camp site.
GURNEY LANE POOL PUNCH LIST DISCUSSION
The Director explained that some of the items on the punch list
have been completed, but it was pointed out that much work remains to
be done before the pool is closed for the winter. A Paddock Pool
representative and the project plumber are scheduled to explain the
winterization procedure to Department staff sometime in late September.
1986 PLAYGROUND REPORT
The Commission reviewed and discussed the playground report
submitted by Coordinator Chris Bergeron and overall, the Commission
complimented Chris on the excellent program she helped organize and
supervise this past summer. Chris was asked about the obvious lack
of participation by children in the South Queensbury area and she
explained that she had contacted a majority of area participants
regarding their apparent disinterest midway through the program.
Her conclusion was that even though the leaders and the program
were more than adequate, that many of those who initially partisi-
pated had other committments and family obligations which made
continued playground attendance secondary. Each of the Commission-
ers commented individually regarding the total summer report and at
this point in the discussion, the Supervisor's letter regarding the
summer program report, was read by Chairperson Little and the Com-
mission discussed the contents. The consensus was that the Com-
mission disagreed with some of the conclusions brought up in the
letter and cited as reasons a drop in the communities youth popu-
lation and the excellent summer playground program which the Depart-
ment sponsored this summer. It was pointed out that the Department
had gone overboard in offering a varied summer program of activities
and that some of the information in the report may have been mis-
interpreted. Overall, the Commission was discouraged by the letter
and directed the Chairman to reiterate in the monthly correspondence
that the Commission is, and has been, committed to upgrading the
Town recreation program. Furthermore, the Commission agreed that
in light of the report, and the Supervisor's letter, that the play-
ground program be looked at further in an effort to correct short-
comings and improve the program.
Recreation Commission Minutes
September 8, 1986
Page 3
SbJDe of the items which will be analyzed are: a possible
population shift ìn the communìty,. location of playground sites,
shortened playground season, fees and charges, publicity, brochure
distribution, bulk mailing and a possible three day a week program.
BUDGET REVIEW
The Director explained the budget summary sheet and the Com-
mission questioned the large increases in some of the accounts.
The increases in each account were explained by the Director and
it was pointed out that additional changes could be made before
the final budget was adopted in November. Funds for the Hovey Pond
and Ridge Road projects were not included in the Department's operat-
ing budget because it was expected that these areas would fall under
the Town's capital construction account.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT
The Director gave a brief verbal report summarizing all summer
programs and there was discussion regarding the swimming pool and
some of the plans for next year. The final swim pool program report
will not be finished for some time and will be discussed later this
winter.
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned
at 9:53 p.m. The next meeting will be held on Monday, October 20,
1986 at 7:30 p.m.