Senate Resolution No. 2718

BY: Senator TEDISCO

COMMEMORATING the 225th Anniversary of the Town of
Milton to be celebrated on August 12, 2017

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor and
commemorate the proud and distinguished histories of the towns and
villages 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 225th Anniversary of the Town of Milton to be feted at a
celebration on Saturday, August 12, 2017, at the Burgess-Kimball
Memorial Park on Rowland Street in Ballston Spa, New York; and

WHEREAS, The Town of Milton, located in Saratoga County, New York,
was formed from Balls Town on March 7, 1792; it comprised 22,000 acres
near the center of Saratoga County bounded by the Towns of Greenfield,
Saratoga Springs, Charlton, Ballston and Galway; and

WHEREAS, The first settlers in the Town of Milton were the David
Wood and Ebenezer Sprague families who traveled from Connecticut to
settle on Middle Line Road; and

WHEREAS, The Town of Milton and many of its early settlers
contributed to both sides during the Revolutionary War; many patriots
belonged to the 12th Regiment of the Albany County Militia; and

WHEREAS, After the Revolutionary War, settlers established
homesteads with farms and orchards in the fertile areas, while mills
were erected along the Kayaderosseras, Glowegee, Gordon and Rowland's
Hollow Creeks, taking advantage of the plentiful water supply and
prevalent water power; and

WHEREAS, Several communities developed in clusters near the mill
areas of Rock City Falls, West Milton, Milton Center, Craneville,
Factory Village, Bloodville, Rowland's Hollow, and the Village of
Ballston Springs; and

WHEREAS, In the early 1800s, the Town of Milton established a school
system consisting of 13 district schools, which, nearly 100 years later,
became part of the Ballston Spa Central School District; today, 10 of
the original districts remain in the town and are now private
residences; and

WHEREAS, In 1896, the mills and communities along the Kayaderosseras
Creek were joined by an electric railway running from Ballston Spa to
Middle Grove, providing both freight and passenger service which
connected to other rail systems; and

WHEREAS, The 20th Century brought great changes to the Town of
Milton; mills began to close and the electric trolley ceased operations;
currently, the Cottrell Paper Company is the only business still
operating; and

WHEREAS, In 1948, the United States Navy began the Nuclear
Propulsion Program in the Town of Milton; and

WHEREAS, More recently, the Town of Milton has given way to
residential development with residents commuting to neighboring towns
and cities for employment; the Town has become focused on promoting
businesses, developing a town center, and preserving rural and
recreational open space areas; and

WHEREAS, Of historic origin, and remaining fruitful over the ebb and
flow of decades of growth and change, the Town of Milton continues to
provide the quintessential quality of life for its residents; and

WHEREAS, The residents of the Town of Milton have a bright outlook
for the future of their community, which remains a beautiful place in
which to live and raise a family; and

WHEREAS, In recognition of the Town of Milton's rich history and
enduring contribution to the State of New York, this Legislative Body is
proud to pay tribute to this spirited town upon the occasion of its
225th Anniversary; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 225th Anniversary of the Town of Milton to be celebrated
on August 12, 2017; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Town of Milton.