I’m pleased to announce that Clarkstown is another step closer to a greener future, as both the
New York State Senate and Assembly have authorized the town to pursue the creation of a
Community Preservation Fund. This critically important mechanism would give Clarkstown a
dedicated fund to protect the qualities that have made Clarkstown one of the country’s most
desirable places to live. We are still a few steps away from making this a reality, but with the
help of State Senator Bill Weber and Assemblyman Pat Carroll, we are now through the
legislative approval part of the process and are awaiting the Governor’s signature. The last
remaining step from there will be allowing Clarkstown voters to have the final say through a
public referendum.
We are currently working toward getting a referendum on the ballot for this November. This
timing would coincide with similar legislation already signed by the Governor allowing
Orangetown voters to decide the same issue in the upcoming elections. There is a deadline of
early August for the Governor to sign the legislation and make this November’s ballot. We
believe concurrent timing of the referendums in both towns would increase awareness of the
issue in both towns, resulting in higher voter participation.
So what exactly is the Community Preservation Fund? In simple terms, it is a dedicated funding
source which would be used to purchase and preserve environmentally sensitive lands, protect
water resources, maintain scenic vistas, and, where appropriate, support recreational
opportunities. Most importantly, the Community Preservation Fund program is the strongest
existing tool for local governments to achieve these conservation goals. This money would not
be eligible to be used for acquiring land for other uses such as housing or commercial
development.
Funds would be raised through a nominal one time real estate closing fee paid by home buyers,
with no impact on existing taxpayers. This will give the Town the financial flexibility needed to
plan ahead in identifying and protecting the places that matter most to us before they are lost
forever. Based on recent real property sales data, the fund would be estimated to generate over
$5 million each year in preservation funding. This would be a monumental leap forward in the
long-term journey we have undertaken to safeguard our town’s remaining open spaces.
As you know, Clarkstown is a highly desirable place to live, work, and raise a family. This
attracts the investment and growth needed for any town to succeed. But it also brings increasing
pressure on the natural resources and remaining open spaces that help define our quality of life.
Protecting these treasures requires a proactive approach, because once open land is
developed, it is rarely reclaimed. We respectfully encourage residents and stakeholders to
lend their support by signing a petition and voicing their endorsement of this initiative. The
petition is posted on clarkstown.gov under helpful links on the Supervisor’s page.
