LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 225th Anniversary of the Town
of Clarkstown

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to honor and commem-
orate 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 commem-
orate the 225th Anniversary of the Town of Clarkstown, in Rockland Coun-
ty, New York; and
WHEREAS, On March 18, 1791, the Town of Clarkstown, New York, was
created by an act of the New York State Legislature during George
Washington's first term as President of the United States; since Rock-
land County was not created until 1798, Clarkstown was first designated
a Town in Orange County; and
WHEREAS, In 1791, less than 2,000 people lived in Clarkstown; by 1950,
the Town's population had grown to over 15,000 residents; and
WHEREAS, After the building of the Tappen Zee Bridge in 1955, the
Palisades Interstate Parkway, and the Garden State Parkway extension,
Clarkstown rapidly grew in population during the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s;
and
WHEREAS, After the 2010 Census was conducted, it was found that
Clarkstown's population had grown to nearly 85,000 citizens, ranking it
the 15th most populous of 932 towns in New York State; and
WHEREAS, Located 25 miles from midtown Manhattan, and New City, New
York, the Town of Clarkstown serves as the seat of both town government
and Rockland County government; the Town encompasses approximately 41
square miles and includes the hamlets of Bardonia, Central Nyack,
Congers, Nanuet, New City, Rockland Lake, Valley Cottage, West Nyack,
all of the Village of Upper Nyack, and portions of the Villages of Nyack
and Spring Valley; and
WHEREAS, The Town of Clarkstown encompasses almost 300 miles of roads,
which are maintained by the Town's Highway Department, and an extensive
park system that continues to expand as the Town acquires additional
lands under the Open Space program; and
WHEREAS, Financially sound, the Town of Clarkstown was assessed at
over $14.5 billion in assets, and earned an AA financial rating by STAN-
DARD AND POOR'S and an AAA rating by MOODY'S; and
WHEREAS, Named the fifth-safest place to live among 300 communities
with populations topping 75,000 people by MORGAN QUITNO PRESS, the Town
of Clarkstown is serviced by its own 160 member police department which
covers the entire Town with the exception of the Spring Valley portion;
and
WHEREAS, Moreover, the Town of Clarkstown is home to four outstanding
libraries, seven dedicated fire departments, and five committed ambu-
lance corps; and
WHEREAS, There are several historical sites located in the Town of
Clarkstown such as the Blauvelt House, Henry Varnum Poor House, Peter
DePew House, and the Terneur Hutton Home which help bring tourists to
the area; and
WHEREAS, Additionally, the Town of Clarkstown has become both a State
and National leader in green energy initiatives; in 2008, the Town
became one of 600 municipalities nationwide to sign the United States
Mayor's Climate Protection Agreement to reduce carbon dioxide emissions
to seven percent below the 1990 levels by 2012; in the Town of West
Nyack, the region was the first in the state to place a solar field atop
a capped landfill; and

WHEREAS, Remaining fruitful over the ebb and flow of decades of growth
and change, the Town of Clarkstown continues its commitment to enhancing
the quality of life of its citizens, ensuring a positive business,
institutional and educational climate, and providing all essential
services; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 225th Anniversary of the Town of Clarkstown, recognizing
the significance of the role it continues to play in the life of the
community of the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Town of Clarkstown.