LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 190th Anniversary of the Town
of Rotterdam to be celebrated on April 14, 2010

WHEREAS, The State of New York takes great pride in acknowledging
significant milestones in the distinguished histories of its esteemed
municipalities; and
WHEREAS, The Town of Rotterdam will celebrate its 190th Anniversary on
April 14, 2010; and
WHEREAS, The area that is now the Town of Rotterdam was settled in the
early 1660s, predominately by the Dutch; and
WHEREAS, In 1819, residents of Schenectady began discussing settling
off its Third and Fourth Wards into a separate town; a petition was
presented to the State Legislature on December 31, 1819; and
WHEREAS, On April 14, 1820, the New York State Legislature adopted a
law establishing the Town of Rotterdam; and
WHEREAS, The Town was named after the Town of Rotterdam in the Nether-
lands; and
WHEREAS, Rotterdam enjoyed a thriving broom corn industry in the late
1800s; and
WHEREAS, The Erie Canal and the addition of railroads in Rotterdam led
to the creation of several hamlets, including Rotterdam Junction, South
Schenectady, and Pattersonville; and
WHEREAS, Rotterdam is now the proud home of hundreds of agricultural,
industrial and commercial businesses; and
WHEREAS, The Town of Rotterdam has seen a steady increase in popu-
lation and now has more than 28,000 residents; and
WHEREAS, The State of New York is pleased to recognize this signif-
icant milestone in Rotterdam's distinguished history; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 190th Anniversary of the Town of Rotterdam to be cele-
brated on April 14, 2010; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Town Supervisor Francis Del Gallo, and the Board members of
the Town of Rotterdam.