The special NYS legislation to authorize the creation of a Community Preservation Fund (CPF) for the Town of Orangetown has been approved by New York State!
This legislation will allow the Town to collect a one-time transfer tax, from the buyer, at the purchase of real property in the Town. The funds collected will be deposited into a dedicated account earmarked for the acquisition of land and other interests in property for conservation purposes.
There are a few important things to note about the CPF:
- A vote of the local electorate is still required for the CPF – so, the people of Orangetown will make the ultimate decision;
- A number of NYS municipalities already have CPFs, including Warwick, New Paltz, Red Hook, Chatham, Gardiner and others;
- A Community Preservation Plan (CPP) is a prerequisite to establishing a Community Preservation Fund which will need to be adopted as a Local Law by the Town Board;
- A Community Preservation Plan Committee has been formed that will oversee the process of the CPP, and help develop and carry out a voter campaign leading to approval of the required voter referendum on Election Day 2026; and
- Governor Hochul herself has signed legislation that sets the goal to support and contribute to national efforts to conserve at least 30 percent of U.S. land and water by 2030 – noting that CPF will promote biodiversity and preserve New York’s wildlife, forests, and clean water sources, which are all essential to New York’s health and economy.
Please consider recognizing the importance of open space and support the Town Board’s efforts in creating a CPF. The funds raised from the CPF will be vital to ensuring the Town is in a financial position to preserve the things that make Orangetown special – whether it is the preservation of woods, historical buildings, open spaces or other ecologically important environments.
Community Preservation Plan Committee:
Supervisor Teresa M. Kenny (Chairperson)
Katja Alberino-Rappaport
Anne Byrne
Matthew Miller
James O’Sullivan, Active Farmer
Mary Vail
Aric Gorton, Superintendent of Parks and Recreation
Audrey Lupachino, Planning Assistant, Building Department
Rick Pakola, Deputy Town Attorney, Legal Advisor
Allison Kardon, Assistant to Town Supervisor, Clerk
Community Preservation Plan Committee Meetings