The Peru Gazette

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:

The Adirondack Daily Enterprise reports

The Post Star reports

The Post Star reports

The Times Union reports

The Watertown Daily Times reports

Gazette File Photo

The Adirondack Daily Enterprise reports

The Adirondack Daily Enterprise reports

The Peru Volunteer Fire Department budget for 2011 will remain at $571,940 according to Department Secretary-Treasurer Robert Akey.  The tax rate is expected to decline from $1.30 per thousand dollars of assessed valuation to $1.29 per thousand. Click here to review the 2011 budget and click here to see the Department’s new website.

The Daily News reports

The Press Republican reports

By John T. Ryan

The Peru Town Board will be presenting its 2011 town budget (Click here for all tax rates and the entire budget) to the public at a Public Hearing scheduled for tomorrow evening (Thursday, November 4^th) at 6:30 p.m. at the Town Hall. The Board will propose tax rate decreases for all the town services. The Town General rate for 2011 is estimated to be $1.92 per $1,000 of assessed valuation down from $1.97 this year. The Town Highway rate is estimated to decline from $2.44 to $2.36. There rates for the water and sewer districts are also expected to experience small declines. Town Supervisor commented, “The Town Board has been making a concerted effort to get costs down especially with this bad economy.” The Water Department does have a major expense. It will utilize a $300,000 Bond Anticipation Note (BAN) to finance the River Road water line replacement project.  Town employee health care costs are estimated to increase by about 12% and contributions to the NYS Retirement Fund are estimated to increase by 17%. Glushko cautioned that other expenses will increase in the future noting that unexpected expenses inevitably arise and most costs increase over time.

Here is a breakdown of preliminary budget revenues and expenses:

The adirondack almanac reports

Want to make your own cheese to eat or to sell? The demand for artisan farmstead cheeses and interest in making one’s own cheese is on the rise. Thanks to the Northern NY Regional Foods Initiative of Cornell Cooperative Extension, aspiring local cheesemakers have the opportunity to work with Vermont Master Cheesemaker Peter Dixon. In November, Dixon will lead separate workshops on how to start an Artisan Cheese Business and on the art of making cheese for business or personal taste.

“People are intrigued by the almost-mystic concept of how to make cheese, but can be intimidated by the prospect of actually making it, so the Northern NY Regional Foods Initiative of Cornell Cooperative Extension is offering a set of workshops with Vermont Master Cheesemaker Peter Dixon for those interested in making cheese as a business venture or for personal enjoyment,” says Northern NY Regional Foods Initiative Coordinator Bernadette Logozar, a Rural and Agricultural Economic Development Specialist with Cornell Cooperative Extension Franklin County. Read more »

Gazette contributor Don McBrayer reports that 2,006 Town of Peru voters came to the polls today or 47% of registered voters. It was a strong voter turnout for a non-presidental election year. Last year when all the local elected offices were on the ballot 2,293 voters cast ballots or about 55% of of registered voters.  A normal turnout for an off-year election is in the 40% to 45% range.

Local results are no longer available at the polls as in the past. Instead a computer card is transported to the Clinton County Board of Elections where the votes are tabulated.  The Press Republican has promised to put the results online as soon as they are available.

The Post Star reports

By John T. Ryan

Updated 5:25 p.m. As of 5:25 p.m. voting was proceeding smoothly at the St. Augustine’s Parish Center with 1,500 (35%) ) of Peru’s 4,232 registered voters already casting ballots. Election worker and Peru Gazette contributor Don McBrayer reported that there were only a few bottlenecks. Even though six privacy booths were in place sometimes they were all in use so several voters resorted to sitting at tables that have been set up at the room’s perimeter.  The five ballot scanners were working smoothly with no backups. Some voters were upset over the confusing wording on the County Legislator term limits question which appears on the back of the ballot.  A “Yes” vote means that you do not want term limits. A “No” vote means you believe there should be term limits.  (See more photos)

Voting continues until 9 p.m.

The Adirondack Daily Enterprise reports

The adirondack almanac reports

The adirondack almanac reports

YNNReports

The Press Republican reports

AGENDA ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS, Wednesday, November 17, 2010, 7:00 p.m., Peru Town Hall Read more »

The Adirondack Explorer reports

The Peru Volunteer Department personnel just can’t seem to help themselves. They can’t stop doing good things for the Peru community. Last evening they were next to Stewart’s handing out candy to children. Happy Halloween from the Peru Fire Department! (Click for more Dave Brown photos)