The Peru Gazette

The Press Republican reports

The Press Republican reports

The Adirondack Enterprise reports (A wonderful story that vividly depicts the sacrifices being made by our fighting men and women.)

The Post Standard reports

The Ithaca Journal reports

Local averages: Northeastern Clinton Central $40,501; Ticonderoga Centrral $39,779; Beekmantown Central; $39,754; Saranac Lake Central $39,707; Peru Central $39,526; Keene $39,164; Plattsburgh City $38,542; Moriah Central $37,842; Ogdensburg Central $37,207; AuSable Valley Central $37,174; Tupper Lake Central $36,712; Malone Central $35,287.

The NY Post reports

The NY Times reports

The Free Press reports

The Times Union reports

The adirondack almanac reports

NCPR reports

Bishop LaValley greeted Rubin and Monica Remillard

By John T. Ryan

On Sunday, November 7, 2010 St. Augustine’s Parish was honored by the presence of Bishop Terry R. LaValley who was present to celebrate the Diocese of Ogdensburg’s Annual Harvest Mass of Thanksgiving. Farmers, farm workers and the faithful from throughout the North Country made up the large group of people in attendance. Bishop LaValley offered thanks to God for his presence in the products of our farms and prayed for God’s blessing on North Country farmers and their labors. Several local farmers were in attendance including Rubin and Monica Remillard, Jim and Sue Allen and Mason and Joan Forrence. Farmers from other communities also enjoyed the celebration and the beautiful reception in the parish center that followed.

Bishop LaValley personally greeted everyone immediately following the Mass. He appeared to know almost everyone. Many recall that he resided at St. Augustine’s during a summer of his seminary years. Bishop LaValley’s presence in Peru and in Clinton County is an emotional experience for many people. The Bishop grew up in nearby Mooers Forks as a member of St. Ann’s Parish. St. Augustine’s Pastor Reverend Alan Shnob also grew up in St. Ann’s and during Father Shnob’s college years he was Bishop LaValley’s released-time religious education teacher. Reverend Gilbert Menard who until recently resided in Peru is also a Mooers Forks native as was Reverend Francis White who was  St. Augustine’s Pastor from 1971 to 1978. Reverend Dennis Duprey, the Pastor of St. Peter’s Church, in Plattsburgh also claims Mooers Forks as his hometown. Ten priests and at least three women religious grew up in St. Ann’s Parish. Click here for more Harvest celebration photos

Sue and Jim Allen with the Bishop

Gazette File Photo

By Donald McBrayer and John T. Ryan

A recording of the meeting can be found at: http://d1091839.domain.com/PeruTown/TBMeeting-11-08-2010.WAV

Minutes for the October 4th special meeting and October 25th regular meeting were approved and can be found at: http://www.perutown.com/min10.htm

Reports for all departments, except Dog Control,  were accepted and can be found at http://www.perutown.com/town.htm
A Court Report is now included and contains all court action dating back to the beginning of the year.

The Town Board approved the 2011 budget with a few minor amendments including an amendment to increase the Highways Superintendent’s salary by $1,500 to $50,639. Town Councilor Brandy McDonald commented on the salary increase stating that Highway Superintendent Mike Farrell works many long days, weekends, and holidays to keep overtime costs down. McDonald went on to point out that Farrell saved the town $24,000 last year and $14,000 this year in overtime. All Town of Peru employees with the exception of counselors Polhemus, Douglass, McDonald and Bruno will receive a two percent wage increase in 2011. Farrell’s $1,500 raise is addition to the two percent increase.

The School Street sidewalk was discussed. Atlantic Services (AS) is currently conducting tests on core samples to determine the quality of the concrete. Depending on the AS report the sidewalk may be rejected. Councilor Jim Douglass also commented on low-spots in the sidewalk, noting how much water he noticed pooling on the sidewalk during Monday’s rainstorm. Highway Superintendent Mike Farrell will look the sidewalk over and make recommendations to the Board about possible solutions to the low spots.

The Board approved a bid of $307,390 from Edward Garrow & Sons for the River Road water line project. Seven bids were submitted with a wide range of estimated costs. Town Councilor Kregg Bruno & W/S Superintendent Greg Timmons commented on the quality of Ed Garrow’s work noting the past project of installing the 12” force-main from the reservoir to Brand Hollow Road. The River Road Project should begin in about two weeks.

A decision to place a 4-way stop at the intersection of Mannix and Calkins/Clark Road was tabled without discussion. The intersection was the scene of a fatal car accident that claimed two lives on October 29th.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 PM.

CNN reports

The adirondack almanac reports

The adirondack almanac reports

The Free Press reports

The Free Press reports

The Adirondack Daily Enterprise reports

Click here for agenda

The Watertown Daily Times reports

The Watertown Daily Times reports

AGENDA, TOWN BOARD REGULAR MEETING, November 8, 2010 @ 7:00 PM Read more »

By John T. Ryan

Peru Gazette Editor John Ryan was the only member of the general public who attended last night’s 2011 Public Hearing for the 2011 town budget. All Board members were present with the exception of Susan Polhemus who was excused.

Town Youth Director John Flynn and Assistant Youth Director Kathy Flynn had questions for the Board. The preliminary budget calls for a reduction of $2,785 ($4,285 to $1,500) in the Assistant Youth Director’s salary. Kathy Flynn asked how the Board had made this decision and if the Board understood her job responsibilities.  Supervisor Glushko said that the Board had talked to the Youth Director about the assistant’s job responsibilities and after consideration they decided that $1,500 is the appropriate pay. John Flynn asked, “Why would you want to change something that runs really well?” Flynn said he doubted if anyone would take the position for $1,500 and said programs would have to be cut.

Comments from the other counselors made it clear that they agreed with Glushko’s statement. Councilor Kregg Bruno said the Board is attempting to make cuts wherever possible including freezing its own pay. He stated that the Board believes that John Flynn is well paid ($18,027 in the 2011 budget) compared to other communities and that he should be assuming more responsibilities. Counselor Jim Douglass said the Board does not want to eliminate any programs and hopes that between John Flynn, Kathy Flynn and volunteers, the programs can continue.

Kathy Flynn said that her duties include organizing the summer programs: swimming, arts and crafts and the playground programs. She trains and supervises the twelve teenagers running these programs and assists them when needed. She also organizes the programs, schedules children and orders supplies. Fifty to seventy-five children participate in the swim program and anywhere from six to thirty children attend the arts and crafts program. Attendance varies from day to day. The assistant youth director also assists the youth director in organizing baseball and softball registration and with setting-up and conducting clinics for new program participants. Kathy Flynn also handles program publicity. She recalled how much the youth program has expanded since John Flynn took over eleven years ago. John Flynn asked if any town employees other than his assistant were facing salary reductions. Counselor Brandy McDonald mentioned reductions in a few budget items, but he didn’t name another specific employee facing a substantive salary reduction.

Here are the town spending trends since 2002 for the three most significant budget accounts: