A workshop was held by the Town Board of the Town of Moreau on March 8, 2006 in the Town Office Building, 61 Hudson Street, South Glens Falls, New York, for the purpose of discussing the Moreau Lake State Park Draft Master Plan and formulate a response to be submitted during the public comment period.

The workshop commenced at 7:04 p.m.

Harry G. Gutheil, Jr., Town Supervisor

Niki Baker, Councilwoman

Rich Hewlett, Councilman

Bob Prendergast, Councilman

Todd Kusnierz, Councilman

Also Present: Jeanne Fleury, Town Clerk; Jan Kropp, Chuck Rowson and Tina Kays, residents from Old Saratoga Road

The workshop was a casual exchange of opinions and suggestions regarding the draft master plan prepared by the Moreau Lake State Park.

In compliance with a request from the Moreau Town Board at public informational meeting regarding the draft master plan, the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation agreed to extend the public comment period until March 20, 2006. The Town Board held this workshop to exchange their opinions regarding the draft master plan and come up with an outline to use in drafting a formal response to the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation by the end of the comment period.

Supervisor Gutheil read a copy of a letter from the Saratoga County Planning Board dated February 28, 2006 addressed to Daniel S. Kane, Director of Resource Management, for the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. The letter endorsed the Town of Moreau’s opposition to the draft master plan’s preferred alternative for access to lake recreation area of the Moreau Lake State Park. The state park’s preferred alternative is to abandon a portion of Old Saratoga Road between Mountain Road and South Road with ownership being transferred to Moreau Lake State Park.

Supervisor Gutheil also read a letter he received from David McDonnell of 251 Potter Road. Mr. McDonnell objects to the proposed RV sites and in particular to RV’s rambling through his neighborhood.

The following objections, comments and concerns were voiced at this workshop and will be included in the response letter from the Town Board to State Parks Office:

It was the consensus of the Town Board Members present at this workshop that generally they were supportive of the master plan concept, but had concerns.

A proposal to develop and allow primitive campsites at Potter’s Point with access to the river for use by non-motorized boats probably would receive general support, but not RV’s and pop-up tent sites. Oppose cottages and cabins at Potter’s Point.

The greatest concern and opposition is over the idea of closing Old Saratoga Road and RV sites at Potter’s Point. Closure of Old Saratoga Road would impact emergency services and school bus routing. There would be confusion over when the gates would and would not be locked by emergency services and the general public.

Include in response the number of homes anticipated to be built down at the end of Potter Road and how the area is going to be developed even further in the not to distant future.

Include in the response the noise factor that will come with the expansion. Mountain Road residents currently experience noise from campers in the park and this will increase as the park expands.

The comment was made that the stacking up of vehicles during registration that the state keeps referring to has to do more with the day users of the park than the campers.

Supervisor Gutheil referred to the section in the draft master plan entitled, "Access/Park Entrance" and the options 1 – 13. State Parks prefers option 8 and 3.

Option 8 is a proposal to abandon Old Saratoga Road from South Road and Mountain Road to the existing park entrance and that section of Old Saratoga Road would become a park road. The contact station would be located along Old Saratoga Road to take advantage of the land between Old Saratoga Road and Route 9. A new parking area would be constructed between the Park Office and the recycling area.

Option 3 is a proposal to reduce speed limit on Old Saratoga Road (within park boundaries) to 30 mph, place signs identifying the park at the park boundaries on Old Saratoga Road and improve signing on Route 9.

The draft plan called for preferred option 8 to be combined with preferred option 3, which would provide for enhanced signage and create a more "park-like" atmosphere.

There is conceptual agreement with option 3, but opposition to option 8.

In the draft master plan on page 200 under maintenance area facility, option #2, is opposed. Option #2 would create additional camping loops for RV’s and larger campers and access would be off Old Saratoga Road and a new park road would be created. A contact station and camper registration area would be created.

A pedestrian bridge over Old Saratoga Road should be considered if the Route 9 side is developed for RV camping.

There is great concern over the overuse of the park if the area is developed totally as proposed. This plan could result in a loss of charm and character that the park currently has and which draws people to the park currently.

Parking at the trail heads should be examined closely to ensure that there is enough parking for hikers.

A letter will be drafted in response to the draft master plan.

The workshop was concluded at 8:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Jeanne Fleury

Town Clerk