Senate Resolution No. 2883

BY: Senator GRIFFO

COMMEMORATING the 150th Anniversary of the Village
of Norwood, New York, from July 3-4, 2022

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to 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 150th Anniversary of the Village of Norwood, New York,
to be celebrated from July 3-4, 2022, with a myriad of events concluding
with a fireworks display; and

WHEREAS, The history of Norwood began in the early 1800s, with the
arrival of New England farmers, followed by the railroads in the 1850s
and the automobile in the early 1900s; and

WHEREAS, Norwood was founded on the farmland and holdings of three
men, James Symonds, Benjamin G. Baldwin, who sold lots and larger
holdings east of the Raquette River, and Charles McCarty whose farm lay
west of the river; these three men formed the Raquetteville Water
Company to develop water power and sell house lots along the river; and

WHEREAS, Officially established in 1872, the village was originally
named Potsdam Junction, and then Baldwin, before a meeting was held on
April 5, 1875, to choose a name; after a vote, the village was
officially named Norwood; and

WHEREAS, On January 4, 1876, the Board of Trustees appointed two
prominent residents, William Waldron and Loren Ashley to form two fire
engine companies of not less than 20 men each and establish fire
protection in the village using water from reservoirs on the corner of
Park Street, Prospect Street and near Main Street and on Depot Street
near the American House; and

WHEREAS, Stephen Ducolin, a manufacturer and dealer in stoves and
the former owner of a fire engine, was named Chief Engineer of the
Village Fire Department; and

WHEREAS, In 1894, streetlamps were purchased and installed on Main
Street as far as the Congregational Church, on Mechanic Street and a few
on Spring Street which were lit by Mr. Dutton; later, H. Leete took care
of the lamps, which now included one in front of the Catholic Church on
Railroad Street and on the corner of Park and River Streets; the lamps
were left lit until the arrival of the last train at 11:35 p.m.; and

WHEREAS, These two were the first lawmen of the Village, followed by
E.J. Johnson; John LaDue was paid $30 to act as night watchman for the
period of October 1, 1889 to April 1, 1900, and was later offered the
salary of $4 per week if in addition to acting as night police he would
also be the custodian of the Music Hall and care for tramps and provide
himself with a uniform to wear while on duty; and

WHEREAS, The Norwood Post Office opened on July 1, 1903, and mail
was delivered on Route 1 and Route 2; in 1913, Norwood was chosen as one
of about 20 communities in the entire United States to receive home
delivery of mail on what was to be on an experimental basis; on April
15, 1913, Arthur N. Tebo was designated the carrier, and often made his
twice a day rounds on a bicycle; and

WHEREAS, On May 10, 1912, Carolyn Webster, State Organizer of
Libraries, came to Norwood to help found a library, and the first board
was elected on June 12, 1912: President, George Harris; Vice President,
Ella Pease; Secretary, Louise Fletcher; Treasurer, Fred R. Smith;
Chairman of the book committee, Dr. Leo P. Regan; and other committee
members, John Turner, Paul Walker, J.B. Pringle, W.T. Leonard, Eugene
McCarthy, Ada Smith, and Frances McNulty; and

WHEREAS, Through the years, numerous businesses, groups and
organizations were established including the Norwood-Norfolk Central
School, the American Legion Auxiliary Clark-Robinson Post Unit 68,
Luther Priest Women's Relief Corps 2016, the Norwood Historical
Association, Kiwanis Club of Norwood, the Norwood Chamber of Commerce,
Norwood Golden Agers Club, the Norwood Literary Club, Norwood Minor
Hockey Association, St. Andrew's Civics Club, What Cheer Lodge No. 689
F&AM, and Lyra Chapter No. 230, Order of the Eastern Star; and

WHEREAS, In addition, visitors and residents enjoy participating in
events such as the Norwood Brass Firemen concerts, the Norwood Village
Green Concert Series, and the Norwood Lake Regatta; and

WHEREAS, For 150 years, the administrators and residents of the
Village of Norwood have worked together to maintain its moniker, "A Nice
Place to Live"; and

WHEREAS, Remaining fruitful over the ebb and flow of decades of
growth and change, the Village of Norwood 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 150th Anniversary of the Village of Norwood, 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
transmitted to Tim Levison, Mayor, Village of Norwood.