The Peru Gazette

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Roger and Becky Garrow

By John T. Ryan

December 31, 2010 was a day of mixed emotions for people as they gathered at Becky’s Restaurant for a last meal and to wish the restaurant’s owner Becky Garrow well. (Click here for photos) They’re sad because they’re losing a favorite Peru eating and gathering spot. On the other hand they’re happy that Becky Garrow will be able to relax and take it a little easier. Becky says, “It’s been a good run. After 21 years it’s time for a change. I’m tired and a little burned out. I need a little less stress and my husband Roger and I would like to travel in a couple years.” The building at 2972 Main Street will not be idle long. Becky plans to open a consignment shop which she’s going to call “The Thrifty Peddler.” She’ll be renting space to people selling both new and used items and she hopes to open by the end of February.

Becky Garrow has been associated with restaurants and the center of our community for some 35 years. Before opening her own business she worked with her mom and dad John and Leatrice Blaise at the J&L DIner across the street where the Colours Beauty Shop is currently located. Becky said the best part of the business has been making new friends. Longtime customer and friend Donna LaMar said, “It’s more like family here. I love the friendliness.” Donna also loves Becky’s sausage gravy. Other customers raved about her hash, blueberry pancakes and spaghetti. Mike Bunn concurred with Donna LaMar saying, “I’ve met a lot of people here whom I’ve become friends with.” Harold Ormsby who was enjoying Eddie Caron’s singing and guitar playing said, “ I’ve been coming here for many years. I’d just say to Becky, ‘Just feed me something.’ I knew I would enjoy it.” Bob Shumway, who lives in Keeseville said, “I have outstanding memories of this place. I had five-way bypass and have to have special food. Becky prepares the food just the way I need it.”

Becky’s Restaurant was filled with laughter today and Becky Garrow was clearly enjoying herself. She closed our interview saying, “I just want to thank the community for their support!”  Becky’s Restaurant is going to be missed by many people in Peru and nearby communities.

By John T. Ryan

The Peru Town Council conducted business this holiday morning opening bids and conducting a thirty-two minute meeting. Only one bid was received in connection with the Town’s “Records Management Project.” The Board voted to accept a $17,851 bid from Alden Stevens of Rochester, NY. Stevens has years of experience in records management. The project will be paid for by a $24,961 NYS Records Management grant. The $7,000 above the bid amount will pay for shelving, boxes and any other needed materials.

In other actions the Board:

• Approved the following budget fund transfers: $8,360.31 from General to Highway Department machinery parts; $3,406.92 between Highway Department accounts; $3,328.48 from General to Water and Sewer.
• Approved the designation “Arbors Way” for a private right of way off Davey Drive. The designation was requested by Roy Bedard in connection with the eight apartments he is constructing behind McDonald’s and is for 911 purposes only.
• Discussed the revisions they have made in the Employee Benefits Handbook. The Board added sections related to drug and alcohol abuse, sexual harassment and violence in the workplace. Employees must certify they have received and read the handbook.
• Passed a resolution requiring pay period time-sheets from all hourly and salaried town employees including elected and appointed officials. The Board is following New York State recommendations for financial accountability.
• Agreed that a proper resolution has been passed whereby the Town Clerk will be authorized to accept online credit card and direct deposit payment for property taxes. The payee will pay any related charges. The Town will not incur any costs.
• Approved a resolution to pay $9,596. 32 in routine bills.

The meeting adjourned at 8:32 a.m.

Attending church as a family is the focal point of the Christmas Season for many Peru families. Both St. Augustine’s Church and the Peru Community Church extend a welcome to everyone through their wonderful services and their Christmas decorations. Many people work long and hard to prepare their church to celebrate the birth of Christ. Click here for a few photos of both St. Augustine’s and the Peru Community Church. The photos were taken by John Ryan and Richard Brogowski.

AGENDA

TOWN BOARD REGULAR MEETING

DECEMBER 31, 2010 @ 8:00 AM

1.                  Call Meeting To Order

2.                  Pledge of Allegiance

3.                  Roll Call

4.                  MOTION:      Approval of minutes for the December 27, 2010 Public Hearing and the December 27, 2010 Regular Meeting.

5.                  Community Input and Questions.     

6.                  DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION:  Fund Transfers

7.                  DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION:  Arbors Way Approval

8.                  DISCUSSION/MOTION:  Records Management Bid Award

9.                  DISCUSSION/MOTION:  Approval of  2011Employee Benefits Statement

10.              DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION:  Employee Use of Timesheets.

11.              DISCUSSION:  Other Business

12.              DISCUSSION:  Public Comments on Agenda Items Only.

By John T. Ryan

The 2010 elections took place almost three months ago, but the final vote tallies for Clinton County towns just became available. Town of Peru voters favored Democrats in five of the nine races.  Senators Kristen Gillibrand and Charles Schumer and Governor-Elect Andrew Cuomo carried Peru by wide margins while Representative Bill Owens achieved a narrow victory over Matt Doheny. Incumbant Assemblywoman Janet Duprey had no trouble carrying her hometown.  Voters overwhelmingly favored term limits for county legislators.  Here are the 2010 results for all the major candidates and the term limits question.

U. S. Senate (6 years)

Charles Schumer: 953 Democrat, 112 Independence, 64 Working Familes. Total – 1137

Jay Townsend: 733 Republican, 129 Conservative. Total – 862

U. S. Senate (2 years)

Kristen Gillibrand: 918 Democrat, 713 Independence, 72 Working Families. Total 1695

J. J. DioGuardi: 738 Republican, 127 Conservative Taxpayers. Total 865

U. S. Representative

Bill Owens: 920 Democrat, 84 Working Families. Total 1004

Matt Doheny: 909 Republican, 66 Independence. Total 975

Douglas Hoffman: 77 Conservative

Governor/Lt. Governor

A. Cuomo/R. Duffy: 1053 Democrat, 103 Independence, 57 Working Families. Total 1213

C. Paladino/G. Edwards: 651 Republican, 119 Conservative. Total 770

NYS Attorney General

E. Schneiderman: 722 Democrat, 63 Independence, 57 Working Families: Total 842

D. Donovan: 928 Republican, 148 Conservative. Total 1076

NYS Comptroller

T. DiNapoli: 738 Democrat, 65 Working Families. Total 803

H. Wilson: 936 Republican, 82 Independence, 122 Conservative. Total 1140

NYS Senate

Elizabeth Little (Unopposed): 1079 Republican, 221 Independence, 127 Conservative. Total 1427

NYS Assembly

Ruddy Johnson: 351 Democrat

Janet Duprey: 1084 Republican, 74 Independence. Total 1158

Douglas Kimmel: 434 Conservative

Clinton County Sheriff

D. Favro: 1247 Democrat, 112 Working Families. Total 1359

T. Guynup: 684 Republican

Term Limits (Yes means oppose Clinton County Legislator Term Limits. No means approve of Legislator Term Limits.)

Yes 448

No 1548

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Click here to view Comptroller’s News Release and the entire audit

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By Donald McBrayer

The Regular Town Board Meeting was held on Monday, December 27th. Wrapping up the year’s business dominated the meeting.

Year-end fund transfers in several budget categories totaling $99,559.72 were approved.
·    24 transfers in the General Fund totaling $31,662.51
·    21 transfers in the Highway Fund totaling $33,081.70
·    18 transfers in the Water Fund totaling $10,223.51
·    16 transfers in the Sewer Fund totaling $9,175.23
·    4 transfers in the Valcour Fund totaling $1,174.06
·    A General Fund to Highway Fund transfer of $11,767.23 to cover a truck expense.
·    A transfer in the Youth Fund of $2,475.48

Town Supervisor Peter Glushko thanked Highway Superintendent Mike Farrell for keeping overtime to a very low level this past year. It was also noted that the Valcour Water/Sewer overtime expenses were also way down in 2010 due to the grinder pump upgrades.

The Dog Law was passed, and can be found at: http://d1091839.domain.com/PeruTown/towndocs/Dog-Ordinance.pdf
For more information and an overview of the new law see the previous Gazette story at: http://www.perugazette.com/2010/12/15/town-will-administer-dog-licensing-and-control-a-revised-dog-control-law-is-being-proposed/

A Public Hearing date for a proposed Town Noise Ordinance was set for Monday, January 24th at 6:30 PM preceding the Regular Meeting. The proposed ordinance can be found at http://d1091839.domain.com/PeruTown/towndocs/NoiseOrdinance.pdf

The 2011 Organizational Meeting was also scheduled for Monday, January 10 at 6:30PM preceding the Regular Meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:55PM.

Minutes for the December 13, 2010 Regular Meeting were approved and can be found at:
http://d1091839.domain.com/PeruTown/min10/12-13-2010-RM.pdf

A recording of the meeting can be found at: http://d1091839.domain.com/PeruTown/TBM-12-27-2010.WAV

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AGENDA, TOWN BOARD REGULAR MEETING, December 27, 2010 @ 7:00 PM

1. Call Meeting To Order

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Roll Call

4. MOTION: Approval of minutes for the December 13, 2010 Regular Meeting.

5. Community Input and Questions

6. DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Fund Transfers.

7. DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Internet Tax Payments

8. DISCUSSION/MOTION: 2011 Dog Licensing/Town Dog Control Law.

.9. DISCUSSION: River Road Water Project Update.

10. DISCUSSION: Purchase of Rock Road School House Update.

11. DISCUSSION: 2011 Organizational Meeting.

12. DISCUSSION/MOTION: Return of Bond Certificate.

13. DISCUSSION/MOTION: Water Quality Update.

14. DISCUSSION/MOTION: Spitfire Drive Drainage Update.

15. DISCUSSION/MOTION: Town Noise Ordinance Public Hearing.

16. DISCUSSION: Use of Town Timesheets.

17. DISCUSSION: Other Business.

18. DISCUSSION: Public Comments on Agenda Items Only.

19. DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Approve and Pay Bills.

MOTION: Adjourn

The adirondack almanac reports

Leon Blair, Chairman of the Town of Peru Zoning Board of Appeals, called the meeting of November 17, 2010 to order at 7:00 pm. Read more »

Richard Williams, Chair of the Town of Peru Planning Board, called the meeting of Wednesday, November 10^th, 2010 at 7:00pm, to order. Read more »

The adirondack almanac reports