On colonial maps, Ladentown is a small settlement area in the northwest part of present day Rockland County, New York at the edge of the Ramapo Mountains near the intersection of present day Routes 306 and 202. The settlement grew around a tavern for teamsters established by Michael Laden, giving the town a rowdy reputation which subsided into respectability by the time of the establishment of the nearby Ladentown Methodist Church in 1863 (picture from Historical Society above).

Today the areas north, south and west of the old settlement fall within the unincorporated areas of townships of Ramapo and Haverstraw. These include some of the last parcels of undeveloped scenic land along the strip of mountains called the Ramapo Corridor.

The Coalition to Keep Ramapo Green is working with residents of the Ladentown area to establish the Incorporated Village of Ladentown to protect the scenic nature of the landscape from future overdevelopment that might be detrimental to the ecology and quality of life in the village area. Contact the Coalition to Keep Ramapo Green via info@Ladentown.org

Village petitioners:
Jim Barnard, Ron de Paola, Julie Gurung

Appeal process continues on the 2005 denial of our petition
to form the Village of Ladentown

To make the long, long story short: since Ladentown lies in two townships, the Town Supervisors of both Haverstraw and Ramapo both had to agree to the petition, which will allow residents of the area to decide for or against incorporating the village by voting. Supervisor Phillips of Haverstraw agreed. Supervisor St. Lawrence of Ramapo denied.

The Coalition filed suit against Supervisor St. Lawrence and the Town of Ramapo to overturn the decision against our petition.

As of August 12, '07, our appeal is still pending in the Appellate Division in Brooklyn. The decision is expected momentarily. If the court agrees with Supervisor Phillips that our petition is valid, we will move to hold an election to vote upon becoming the Village of Ladentown. We will then have a legal voice representing the zoning and environmental development of Patrick Farm and other large parcels in the Ramapo Mountain corridor from Kakiat Park past the Platzl Brauhaus.

And so, onward. We have not given up. Although our attorney Doris Ulman is volunteering her time for the cause, funds must still be raised to defray the high cost of printing and funds due our former attorney. Your financial contributions and support are still ever appreciated.

Zoning issues:

The Coalition has been partially successful in the fight against downzoning Patrick's Farm. The zoning will now be for one acre plots. Two acres would have been preferable, but one is much better than lesser size plots.

However some of the land is still subject to high density development. A few months after the Town of Ramapo adopted their Comprehensive Plan, the board passed an additional zoning provision for adult student housing for schools. Patrick Farm is one of the four recommended sites. We have been working since 2002 to stall the developers' plan, which if built could cause total urbanization of our village area.

The November election:

The results of this election on the local level will be important to the future of the Ladentown initiative.

For Ramapo residents, Supervisor Christopher St. Lawrence and three town board members are running for re-election. Their past votes and actions have opened the door to the assault of high density housing through their alliance with the developers who contribute to their campaigns. Therefore we endorse and encourage Ramapo residents to vote instead for the Preserve Ramapo or Republican rows: Anthony Mele for Supervisor, and Linwood Carter, Mike Parietti and Jim Hyer for Town Board.

For Haverstraw residents, we support Supervisor Howard Phillips who showed impartiality through the Ladentown hearings and ultimitely voted on the side of democracy and representation.

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Q - What are the boundaries of the Village of Ladentown?

A - Starting at the Kakiat Park boundary near Sky Meadow Road, Ladentown will include all Town of Ramapo properties along the Ramapo Mountain side of Route 202 eastward to Ladentown Road (Old Rte. 202). The boundary continues into the Town of Haverstraw including all lands on the west side of Call Hollow Road continuing north past Platzl Brauhaus until the State Park boundary (bend in the road). Ladentown also includes the controversial 200 acre Patrick Farm on Route 202 and 306 along with the adjoining unicorporated parcels.

Ladentown is bordered by the villages of Pomona, Wesley Hills and Montebello, leaving no unincorporated parcels in the town of Ramapo and Haverstraw in the Ramapo Mountain Corridor.

Q - What benefit is there for me as a homeowner to live in the village?

A - It puts decisions about the value of your home and quality of life more directly in your own hands.

As a village resident you have a legal voice along with your neighbors in preserving the natural beauty and resources of the Ramapo Mountain Corridor that fall within village boundaries. Through zoning, the village can better control over-development of the remaining large tracts of land.

Q - Will the Village cost me more in taxes?

A- Most likely not. A new Village does not automatically mean an additional tax.

Incorporated villages fund themselves by receiving back certain portions of tax money which you already pay to your Town, County and State. You are already paying a General Tax to the Township in which you live. If you become part of a Village, the portion of that tax known as TOV (Town Outside Village) will be returned to your Village, as will other revenues such as building permits and a portion of County sales tax. The Village is also eligible to request available grant monies for specific benefits of the village and its residents.

If your Village decides it needs more money to fund capital projects, new taxes will only be decided by the vote of you, the registered voters of Ladentown, not the much larger and more removed Towns.

Q - Will I receive the same level of services by police, road maintenance, garbage pickup and other services?

A - Yes. By contract the towns will continue to provide the same services you now receive. A survey of residents as to service problems, if there are any, will be made after the village is formed.

Q - Will it change the schools my children attend?

A - No. The creation of the village will not cause any changes to school districts or schools attended.

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