Each month I like to highlight the progress being made across our community and recognize the many people who contribute to making Clarence such a special place to live. This month I am proud to share news that reflects the dedication and commitment of our entire town. The Town of Clarence has been named a Town of Excellence by the New York Association of Towns, one of only thirteen communities across New York State to receive this designation in the program’s inaugural year.
The Towns of Excellence program was created to recognize communities that demonstrate strong leadership, innovation, and a commitment to serving residents. Participating towns were evaluated in several important categories including economic development, sound planning, community engagement, quality of life, governance, transparency, and workforce development. Clarence’s strong credit rating and extremely low tax rate further demonstrate that the Town is not only delivering excellent services but is also being managed responsibly from a financial perspective.
Clarence has always taken pride in maintaining a high quality of life while exercising responsible financial stewardship. One of the things that continues to set our community apart is the balance we work to maintain between growth and preservation. Clarence remains a desirable place for families and businesses while protecting the character and natural beauty that make our town unique. At the same time, we continue to maintain one of the lowest tax rates in Erie County, which is increasingly important to residents.
The strength of Clarence is also reflected in the people who live here. Our community benefits from a highly educated and skilled population, strong household incomes, and low unemployment. These factors contribute to a stable and thriving local economy, but they also reflect the strong civic pride that exists throughout our town. Residents who care deeply about their community are often the ones who volunteer, support local organizations, participate in town meetings, and contribute to the continued success of Clarence.
This recognition is also a tribute to the many town employees, boards, committees, and volunteers who dedicate their time and expertise to serving our community. From our town departments and staff to our planning and zoning boards, conservation initiatives, recreation programs, and community organizations, many individuals work every day to ensure Clarence continues to move forward in a thoughtful and responsible way.
Local government is most successful when a community works together. Clarence has long benefited from a tradition of cooperation between residents, town leadership, and community partners. That collaboration allows us to focus on practical solutions, responsible planning, and investments that directly benefit our residents.
Looking ahead, our focus remains clear. We will continue working to protect the quality of life that residents expect while investing in the amenities, services, and infrastructure that will support Clarence for years to come. Recognition such as this is certainly appreciated, but it also serves as motivation to continue building on the strong foundation that has made Clarence successful.
Many thanks go to our Director of Community Development, Jonathon Bleuer, for taking the initiative to apply for this prestigious recognition through the New York Association of Towns.
I would also like to share a recent example that reflects the dedication of our Town staff. A few Mondays ago I arrived at Town Hall very early in the morning to assist residents who had been waiting to make reservations even from the day before for our park pavilions for the upcoming season. With temperatures that morning at just 11 degrees, I opened the doors early so residents could come inside, get out of the cold, and receive a reservation number.
Because it was still very early, I encouraged residents who had received numbers to return home and come back at 7:30 a.m., about thirty minutes before the Town Clerk’s office opened. By 9:39 that morning, the Clerk’s office had already processed 62 pavilion reservation applications. By the end of the day, a total of 108 reservations had been completed.
I would like to thank Deputy Town Supervisor Peter DiConstanzo, Town Clerk Karen Hawes, and the entire Clerk’s Office staff for coming in early and working efficiently to ensure the reservation process went smoothly for our residents.