Supervisor marks 15th anniversary of first farm preserved under town's PDR bond referendum

Deputy Town Historian Sue Gardner alerted me to the fact that this past June marked the 15th anniversary of the first farm preserved under the Town of Warwick’s Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) bond referendum.
It wasn’t the first farm preserved; that distinction goes to the Sweetman Farm on County Route 1.
However, it did launch the effort that has resulted in more than 4,000 acres of preserved working farms.
If these farms had gone to housing development, it would have resulted in more than 1,300 homes which cost approximately $1.25 in services for every $1 of tax revenue produced.
Instead, we have thriving farms, a booming farm economy, a healthy base of natural resources and a quality of life second to none in Orange County.
Kudos to those who had the foresight to advocate for this program and to our farmers, the stewards of the land.
Michael P. Sweeton
Warwick Town Supervisor