1985-07-22
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QUEENS BURY RECREATION COMMISSION
MINUTES OF MEETING
JULY 22, 1985
Minutes of the regular meeting of the Recreation Commission of
the Town of Queensbury, held Monday, July 22, 1985 at the Queensbury
Town Office Building, Queensbury, New York. Chairperson Little called
the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m.
PRESENT:
Commissioners LaBombard, Lemery, Little, Martin,
Councilman Monahan and Morrell and Director Hansen
ABSENT:
Commissioners Bly, Granger (ex.) and Teti (ex.)
GUESTS:
Pat Collier, Bill Morton, Aaron Fiore (Post Star) ,
Jim Lettus, Don Beebe
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner LaBombard moved to approve the minutes of the
May 20th and June 24th 1985 meeting. Commissioner Lemery seconded
the motion, which was unanimously approved. Chairperson Little
welcomed the visitors and advised them that they would all be given
a chance to speak at the appropriate time, based on the agenda.
GURNEY LANE POOL PROJECT UPDATE
Chairperson Little updated the Commission regarding the status
of the pool project. The Highway Department will do a majority of
the clearing and grubbing at the site in mid-August. Dick Morse is
working on the revised specifications and the project should go out
to bid shortly. The expected target date for the actual start of the
construction should be sometime this fall.
The Director was questioned about the Warren County grant, which
included equipment for Gurney Lane. He relayed that the grant had
been approved and included picnic and playground apparatus for the
site.
ROUND POND DISCUSSION
Bill Morton and Pat Collier representing a group called the
Queensbury Citizens for Round Pond, read a prepared statement regarding
the growth of the Town and the need for developing recreation areas to
serve that population now and in the future. Mr. Morton pointed out
that Round Pond was a unique body of water and the opportunity now
exists for the development of the area as a Town park for recreational
activities. He presented a map and outlined in detail, the group's
plans for the park's development, including swimming, hiking, cross
country skiing, ice skating, picnicing, senior citizen activities and
many other passive and active recreational uses. Land acquisition
costs and funding alternatives were also included in the presentation.
The Commission thanked Mr. Morton for the presentation and sug-
gested that further discussion, by the Commission, included questions
about funding and land acquisition and that it would be best discussed
in executive session later on that evening. Mr. Morton and Ms. Collier
agreed to wait until that time in the agenda to answer further questions.
SOUTH QUEENSBURY PLAYGROUND DEVELOPMENT DISCUSSION
Jim Lettus and Don Beebe representing the South Queensbury Fire
Company, were present to discuss possible improvements to the Fire
Company area used by the Recreation Department for summer activities.
Those in attendance agreed that the area used as the softball field
was not adequate and that work needed to be done to level the area.
Councilwoman Monahan relayed that the area could be leveled out this
fall with the Highway Department's help. If this can be done, the
Recreation Department can create and maintain a small ice skating
rink for neighborhood use this winter. The Fire Company agreed to
help with the field and to also install a pole barn. Lighting was
also discussed and the Department offered to donate an area lighting
fixture if an appropriate pole was erected.
NEIGHBORHOOD PARK DISCUSSION
The Commission reviewed the information from the New York State
Department of State regarding the creation of neighborhood parks with-
in new sub-divisions. Basically, the material presented relayed that
many New York state municipalities had exercised Town Law 277, which
stated that a municipality could request, from a contractor/developer
payment in lieu of land for recreational use.
The Commission discussed the situation and it was decided that
the Chairman should draft a letter to the Planning/Zoning Board rec-
ommending that they consider adopting this type of law as soon as
possible.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT
The Director presented his report, updating the Commission on all
summer programs, including the monthly financial report. There were
some questions regarding personnel and the special playground trips,
including the rafting trip. Overall, the playground trips and the
special clinics have been well received.
The swim lesson program was also discussed and it was pointed out
that the instructors were given a special 2 hour orientation this past
weekend by Mrs. Terry Martin, to help in teaching lessons.
The Commission adjourned to executive session to discuss the Round
Pond situation.
Returning to open session, and there being no further business,
the meeting was adjourned at 9:57 p.m. The next meeting will be held
Monday, August 26, 1985 at 7:30 p.m.