We are fortunate to live in a wonderful community, and the town board and I are dedicated to
preserving the characteristics that make our town special. Just last month, we began the
process of creating a Community Preservation Fund to better enable us to achieve that goal for
generations to come.
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 fund would 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.
Establishing this type of fund is a mutli-step process. The first step was taken when the
Clarkstown Town Board unanimously passed a resolution calling for the New York State
legislature to adopt the “Clarkstown Community Preservation Act.” This measure needs to pass
through both the State Assembly and Senate, and then be signed by the Governor. The
proposal would then be submitted to town voters for approval in a public referendum. Once in
place, we estimate that it will generate over $5 million each year in funding. This would be a
monumental leap forward in the long-term journey we have undertaken to safeguard our town.
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. A Community Preservation Fund will help provide the Town
with the financial resources needed to protect our natural resources. 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.
This new tool will go hand in hand with another we recently created: the Town’s newly
established Greenway Commission. The Commission will play a key role in identifying priority
properties and shaping a long-term vision for land preservation. The commission’s work will help
ensure that investments from the Community Preservation Fund are strategic, transparent, and
aligned with our needs and values as we move forward.
As Town Supervisor, I believe these are two of the most forward-thinking and necessary steps
we have taken in our preservation efforts.
By taking the initiative to establish a Community Preservation Fund, Clarkstown has chosen to
move forward with intention and forethought, preserving our past while planning responsibly for
our future.
