The Peru Gazette

The Press Republican reports 

Peru Gazette file photo

By John T. Ryan

The Peru Town Board’s meeting of July 25, 2011 was brief but eventful. The Board discussed transferring $125,000 from the town’s unappropriated fund balance to the highway department’s fuel, parts and capital accounts. Clearing last winter’s heavy snow and repairing damage caused by spring and early summer flooding resulted in a budget shortfall. The fund transfer is expected to be voted on at the board’s next meeting. The town may still receive FEMA flood repair funds.  This would help restore the unappropriated fund balance.

Responding to a request for financial support from the Babbie Rural and Farm Learning Museum, the Board approved a donation of $1,200 to the museum. Roger Bonner, newly named to the museum’s board, addressed the Board at its June 27th meeting. He explained that the museum must have broad community support in order to fund its $25,000 annual budget. Before voting Council member Susan Polhemus asked if donating to the museum might trigger donations from several groups.  She was concerned about setting a precedent. Town Attorney Donald Biggs said towns often support museums and libraries. After discussion, Polhemus and the rest of the Board voted to fund the contribution.

Main Street residents Tom Powers and Michael Settevendemio addressed the board regarding serious sewage problems on their properties. Powers said his house has experienced several sewage back-up problems since the early 1980’s.   He claimed he reported three recent incidents to Water and Sewer Department Superintendent Greg Timmons and the department only responding to the first incident. On one occasion, 1.5 inches of sewage flooded his basement floor. Powers said that in July the sewer department jet-blasted a sewer line hoping to clear an obstruction and this resulted in sewage flying from his first floor toilet and hitting the ceiling. Mike Settevendemio said he had similar basement sewage flooding.  On the first occasion, not realizing the town sewer line was causing the problem, he called a plumber. The town later reimbursed him in the amount of $106. He said a subsequent overflow washed mortar from his basement wall. He asked the board to consider reimbursing him for this damage.

On July 25^th, Water and Sewer Department Superintendent Greg Timmons told the Gazette that the sewer pipe causing the problems dates to the 1920’s.  An engineering firm is drawing up plans, bids will be sought and installation of a new pipe should begin in September. The line will run from behind the Town Hall to North Bend Street. Timmons said, “Considering all that has to be done, the project is moving along rapidly.”  Timmons did not recall receiving three calls from Tom Powers. He said his men cleaned up Power’s basement on one occasion and he recalls Powers telling him that a clean-up following another incident was not necessary.

Powers also complained about water runoff from the Town Hall encroaching on his property.  He said the town had placed a dirt hill and six feet of pavement on his property. He closed his comments saying, “ I want it removed and I don’t mean in September.”

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Seven Days reports

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Leon Blair, Chair of the Town of Peru Zoning Board of Appeals, called the meeting of Wednesday, April 20^th, 2011 at 7:00pm to order. Read more »

The Free Press reports

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The Adirondack Daily Enterprise reports

PERU PLANNING BOARD, Wednesday, August 10^th, 2011 meeting cancelled. No meeting will be held during August.

From the Office of Congressman Bill Owens

WASHINGTON – Congressman Bill Owens (NY-23) and Canadian Member of Parliament Gordon Brown (Leeds-Grenville) provided an update today on their continuing action to work to waive the reporting requirement for boaters who do not anchor or dock in shared waters between Canada and the United States. Congressman Bill Owens introduced legislation Tuesday that would waive this reporting requirement for Canadian boaters that do not anchor or dock in American waters.  If passed, the legislation would not take effect until identical legislation is passed in Canada for American boaters. Read more »

The adirondack almanac reports

The Democrat Chronicle reports

The Adirondack Daily Enterprise reports

The Press Republican reports

FRANKLIN County- July 25, 2011; 9:15AM

Please be advised that a portion of US Route 11 in Malone has closed due to the partial collapse of a building.  US Route 11 is now closed to traffic between Harrison Place and Webster Street with traffic being rerouted onto local streets.

The duration of the closure is not clear at this point in time.  Motorists should expect delays and plan accordingly.

The Post Standard reports

The adirondack almanac reports

The Burlington Free Press reports Part 1

Part Two of a Four Part Series

The Wall Street Journal reports

The Adirondack Daily Enterprise reports

Buck Pond viewed from campsites 109 and 111.

By Adele Douglas

It was time for our annual camping trip with my friends and their children but Ausable Point Campground, our destination of choice, was still closed due to the spring floods.  Nancy suggested Buck Pond, not too far away and with a nice beach.  We made a quick visit to check out the sites that were available.  Not bad, 112 and 114 are fairly close to the beach, close to a water tap and close to bathrooms with showers. It’s a much more densely wooded campground than Ausable Point, which proved to be a wonderful environment for deer flies and biting flies. However, once we got there we enjoyed  two features that proved to be big hits with all campers and despite the bugs everyone had a great camping trip.

In addition to the endless supplies needed to camp for a few days we also managed to bring bicycles.  The bigger kids, all around 10, had a blast exploring the campground and the moms felt very comfortable allowing them to go off together on the 15 mph campsite roads, all wearing helmets, except my daughter after I ran hers over with my car!  They got more experience riding and reading maps in four days than they ever had before.

Please click here for a map of the Buck Pond bike routes

The other nice bonus at this campsite was a trail along the eastern shore of Lake Kushaqua.  Our campsites were near the trailhead and we spent about 45 minutes walking until we came to a road and couldn’t see where the trail continued, so turned back.  A swim at the campsite beach was the perfect way to cool off.  I believe the trail used to be part of an old D&H rail line and that there’s a hiking trail that leads off it towards Little Haystack Mountain, but none of us felt the need to do any mountain climbing that day.

Buck Pond Campground is about a 45 minute drive away from Peru. It sits between Buck Pond (no motorboats allowed) and Lake Kushaqua.  It’s beautiful, well maintained and has lots to offer.  Canoe and Kayak rentals are available and I understand the fishing’s great.  There’s a lifeguard, bathhouse and picnic area at the beach.  For more information and to make reservations go to:

http://www.reserveamerica.com/camping/Buck_Pond_Campground/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NY&parkId=572

Rep. Owens continues program to make office more accessible in large district

Members of Congressman Bill Owens’ staff will hold meetings next with Upstate New Yorkers in Clinton, Essex, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, and St. Lawrence counties in an ongoing effort to increase constituent outreach. Multiple more events planned throughout New York’s 23rd Congressional district in the coming months.  Owens’ office has held more than fifty of these events throughout New York’s 23rd Congressional District this year.

Here is the local meeting schedule:

Clinton / Essex Counties, Thursday July 28th

1:00 p.m.  – 4:00 p.m.

Town of Jay Community Center in Ausable Forks, 11 School Lane, Ausable Forks, NY

5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Keeseville Fire Department, 8 Pleasant Street, Keeseville, NY

The Post Star reports