PEARL RIVER, NY – Assemblyman Mike Lawler joined Orangetown Supervisor Teresa M. Kenny and Orangetown Town Board Members Paul Valentine and Tom Diviny at a press conference unveiling a bill which will help establish a land trust for the Town of Orangetown.

The bill, A.5373, would establish a community preservation fund for the town of Orangetown, allowing the town to preserve open spaces and parks, and to protect at-risk properties and historic buildings.

“Assembly Bill 5373 will help the town of Orangetown preserve it’s beautiful open spaces, from the pristine parks in Pearl River to the serene Hudson River shoreline,” said Assemblyman Lawler. “It’s critical that we give towns and villages here in Rockland the opportunity to determine what is done with open spaces and at-risk properties within their borders.”

“I’m thrilled that this idea finally has reached the halls of the State Legislature,” Orangetown Supervisor Teresa M. Kenny commented. “For years, we’ve been asking our state representatives to take this bill up to help our town preserve our open spaces, and I’m glad that Assemblyman Lawler took this by the horns. He’s consistently fighting for our residents in Albany.”

“I’d like to thank Assemblyman Lawler for carrying this legislation in Albany as it’s very important to the Town of Orangetown and its residents,” said Orangetown Town Board member Tom Diviny.

“This bill is extremely important to not only my generation, but to my grandkids’ generation. Mike made a promise that he would not forget Orangetown and he’s living up to that promise by seeking to form this land trust,” added Orangetown Town Board Member Paul Valentine.

This bill is similar to previous legislation passed by the state legislature authorizing municipalities throughout the Hudson Valley to establish land trusts, including the Town of Warwick.