Celebrate Milton's 225th Anniversary

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.