The Peru Gazette

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By John T. Ryan

The Peru Volunteer Fire Department provides an essential service to our community. Firefighters obviously take great pride in the service they provide and in the building that houses their department. The firehouse and its grounds always look beautiful and are a credit to Peru. Emery Ezero’s dedication is one of the reasons the firehouse lawns have been in tip-top shape since the firehouse opened its doors.  Ezero volunteered to mow the lawn in the summer of 1974 and he’s still living up to that commitment. He usually begins mowing at 6 a.m. or shortly thereafter depending on the amount of dew on the grass. He finishes about eight hours later or about 2 p.m. The eighty-one year old says, “I do it for fun. When the department has banquets or parties they have me up here with them.” Ezero has close ties to the department. He was a Peru firefighter for twenty-five years (1965-1990). He and his wife Eleanor moved to senior housing in Plattsburgh in 1995, but that hasn’t lessened his dedication to the department. Ezero doesn’t break for lunch. He keeps mowing until the job is done.

Emery Ezero has always exemplified pride in his work and the Peru community. He was in charge of maintenance at St. Augustine’s School and Church for twenty-six years (1965-1991) and kept those buildings and grounds in great shape!

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WASHINGTON – Yesterday, Congressman Bill Owens voted in favor of H.R. 5618, the Restoration of Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act. The emergency legislation, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives yesterday by a vote of 270-153, would extend unemployment insurance to an estimated 143,000 New Yorkers that are scheduled to lose their benefits by Saturday, July 3. The legislation now goes to the Senate for consideration.

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By John T. Ryan

Bill Downs Jr. was critically injured in a Saturday, June 19^th motorcycle accident and brought to the Intensive Care Unit at Fletcher Allen Hospital in Burlington. Downs is well known in the Peru community having served as Fire Chief. He is also the Town’s Water and Sewer Plant Operator. Three days following the accident Peru fighters decided host a spaghetti dinner fundraiser to assist Downs’ family. The dinner was held on Friday, June 25^th and people turned out by the hundreds. A total of $6,600 was raised in just a few hours. Doug Besaw, Treasurer of the Peru Fire Department said, “People would buy two meals, hand over $50 and say “Keep the rest!’” While Besaw didn’t know the exact number of people served he knew that at least 160 pounds of spaghetti was consumed. Besaw was excited about the community’s response. He said, “We started to put it together on Tuesday. To raise that kind of money in only four days is really impressive.” Even more important, Bill Downs is making good progress. He is out of intensive care and has been moved to Fletcher Allen’s rehabilitation unit.

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WASHINGTON – Congressman Bill Owens announced that, starting yesterday, employers who offer health coverage to early retirees can begin applying for help with the costs. Read more »

Greg Timmons (Left) receives NYS Award from Supervisor Glushko

By Donald McBrayer

The Regular Town Board Meeting was held at the Town hall on Monday, June 28 at 7:00 PM.
All were in attendance.
An audio recording of the meeting can be found at:
http://d1091839.domain.com/PeruTown/TBM-06-28-10.WAV

Minutes for the June 14th meeting were approved and can be found at: http://d1091839.domain.com/PeruTown/min10/06-14-2010-RM.pdf

The Agenda contained 20 items, including:

• A Presentation by Assistant State Attorney General Glen Michaels on Project Sunlight.  Project Sunlight is a website run by the State Attorney General geared to openness in government. The website is a portal connected to many local and state government databases including information on proposed legislation at every level, grant tracking, info on nonprofit organizations, corporations, political parties, lobbying groups and much more. Project Sunlight can be found at: www.sunlightny.com <http://www.sunlightny.com>
• Passed Motions to set Workshops on June 30th at 6:30 PM for the Town Drug & Alcohol Policy, and July 14th at 6:30 PM for the Spitfire Drive meeting with Town Attorney Peter Gibbs.
• Passed a Motion to purchase a new Chevy Diesel Pickup truck for the Highway Department. Two trucks were considered: A Ford for $32,634 and the Chevy for $33,167. Highway Superintendent, Mike Farrell informed the board that he careful researched both trucks, and felt confident from his findings that, despite the $533 difference, the Chevy was the better choice. The truck purchase was budgeted for this year.
• Discussed a property maintenance issue on Moore Drive. Town Supervisor, Pete Glushko, informed the board of problems with the residence including neglect to the home and property, animal abuse issues, and possible health concerns to minors living in the residence. Code Enforcement Officer, Paul Blaine informed the Board he, DCO Kelly Allen, and John Kanoza from the Health Department went to the residence earlier in the day, but was unable to make contact with the homeowners to take action on the issues. Blaine requested a Workshop be set up to develop procedures that could be acted on when dealing with neglected properties. A workshop is scheduled for July 6th at 6:30 PM.
• Passed a motion to open bids on the School Street Sidewalk. Project Coordinator, Adel Douglas requested the bids go out so the sidewalk can be completed before school begins in the Fall. The bids, which must be open for 3 weeks, will open on July 26th at 9:00 AM.
• Passed a Resolution to apply for a Parks Grant for the Heyworth Mason Walking Trail & Dog Park.
• Discussed moving 1000 feet of town waterlines running through the Forrence Orchard property (formerly Burl Orchards) on Union Road. Town W/S Superintendent informed the Board the lines, which were placed in 1926, do not have an easement. Timmons also informed the Board that with the planned building expansion at Forrence Orchards, the proposed building will encroach the waterlines. Factoring in the ongoing repairs to this section of waterline, Timmons feels the town should try to find funding to move, and update the lines. The Board is taking this into advisement and is considering options.
• Greg Timmons also informed the Board that Bill Downs, who was critically injured in a June 19th motorcycle accident, was making good progress with his head injuries. Downs, who suffered no broken bones or internal injuries in the accident, is healing faster than originally projected according to Timmons. Timmons also told the Board the Spaghetti Dinner that was held at the Fire Department on June 25th brought in over $5600 — twice what was projected.
• Greg Timmons was then awarded a plaque by the Town of Peru in congratulations for being NYS Water Operator of the Year.
• In Other Business a debate over Band Costs for this Summer’s Gazebo Concert Series was discussed. Councilor Kregg Bruno expressed concerns over the amount being paid to certain acts, and would like to see limits for next year. Concert Coordinator, Pam Barber, Pete Glushko, and Don McBrayer all attempted to explain to Bruno the need for Band Variety, and the reasons for price differences when planning such events. It was pointed out the cost when compared to the good the concerts provide to the community, as a whole was negligible. Further debate on this is expected.
  

The Meeting was adjourned at 9:05 PM

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AGENDA PERU PLANNING BOARD, Wednesday, July 14, 2010 7:00 p.m., Peru Town Hall

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AGENDA TOWN BOARD REGULAR MEETING June 28, 2010 @ 7:00 PM Read more »