Assembly Resolution No. 787

BY: M. of A. Walsh

COMMEMORATING the 130th Anniversary of the Hamlet
of Alplaus, in conjunction with the roll out of the
Hamlet Plan on March 26, 2020

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize,
honor and commemorate the distinguished histories of the communities
which comprise the noble body of this great Empire State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 130th Anniversary of the Hamlet of Alplaus, to be feted
with a myriad of events and celebrations planned throughout the year,
beginning with the roll out of the Alplaus Hamlet Plan on March 26,
2020; and

WHEREAS, In 1890, Joseph Harrigan and Alexander McBride petitioned
the U.S. Postmaster General for a post office in the Aal Plaats section
of Schenectady County; and

WHEREAS, The Postmaster General replied that a rural post office
could be established, but under another name, one that was easier to
spell for the comfort of the mail sorters, hence Alplaus was the name
given to the town after much discussion among residents, and is
generally considered to be an anglicized version of Aal Plaats; and

WHEREAS, Primarily residential in nature, yet home to several
business and community organizations, Alplaus is a community of 450
residents located in the eastern portion of the Town of Glenville in
Schenectady County within the 12008 zip code boundaries; and

WHEREAS, Following conversations with town and county officials in
2018, it was suggested that Alplaus residents, represented by the
Alplaus Residents Association (ARA), a neighborhood association formed
in 1976, create a comprehensive plan to serve as a policy foundation for
the future of the hamlet; and

WHEREAS, The ARA, in fulfillment of this purpose decided to develop
a comprehensive plan which would be focused on allowing for continued
growth and improvements of the hamlet, protecting and preserving the
waterways, waterfront and sensitive wetland areas within the hamlet,
along with making the hamlet's roads safe for pedestrians and cyclists
with sidewalks or widened shoulders added, speed limits enforced, and
improved drainage and signage; and

WHEREAS, Resident volunteers of the ARA, using information from
survey responses, drafted a written plan to set forth a future vision
for the Hamlet of Alplaus which was adopted by the Town of Glenville and
the Schenectady County Legislature as a valuable resource for reference
and consultation in any future development or improvements in the
defined hamlet area; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 130th Anniversary of the Hamlet of Alplaus, and to

applaud the efforts and vision of the Alplaus Residents Association in
developing a Hamlet Plan in a manner that respects and preserves the
essential character of Alplaus; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to members of the Alplaus Residents Association.