Click here for the NYS Comptroler’s Report
Audit Objective
Determine whether the Town of Jay (Town) Supervisor maintained complete, accurate and timely accounting records and reports to allow the Town Board (Board) to effectively manage the Town’s financial operations.
Key Findings
The Supervisor did not maintain complete, accurate and timely accounting records, and inadequate financial reports were provided to the Board. As a result, the Board lacked reliable records and reports to manage the Town’s financial operations.
- Of the 15 asset and liability accounts we reviewed as of December 31, 2021 and October 31, 2022, five accounts were overstated by a total of $19,037 and 13 accounts were understated by a total of $269,353.
- Of the 10 revenue accounts we reviewed as of December 31, 2021 and October 31, 2022, two accounts were overstated by a total of $927,546 and two accounts were understated by a total of $18,317.
- Of the 10 expenditure accounts we reviewed as of December 31, 2021 and October 31, 2022, two accounts were overstated by a total of $182,370 and two accounts were understated by a total of $6,091.
- Seven capital projects were completed but not closed in the accounting records, and bank reconciliations were not prepared monthly or properly prepared for all bank accounts.
Key Recommendations
- Maintain complete, accurate and timely accounting records and close completed projects.
- Prepare and review bank reconciliations monthly.
- Provide the Board with adequate financial reports.
Town officials generally agreed with our recommendations and have initiated, or indicated they planned to initiate, corrective action.
Posted: July 15th, 2023 under Adirondack Region News, Law Enforcement News, Northern NY News, State Government News.
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It may have lifted at different points; damage was focused in Benson
Click here for the MYNBC5 story
Posted: July 15th, 2023 under Peru/Regional History, Regional NY-VT News, Weather News/History.
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Join the Clinton County Historical Association’s driving tour of Peru churches. Four churches will be visited – St. Augustine’s, the Peru Community Church, the Harkness United Methodist Church, St Patrick’s Oratory, and Mother Cabrini Shrine. The tour will include visits into each church and histories of the church. The tour will start at 9:30 am at St. Augustine’s at 3030 Main Street, Peru and conclude with the opportunity to eat your lunch overlooking the Champlain Valley at the Oratory’s Park. Maps and handouts about the churches will be provided. The tour is free and open to the public. Registration is strongly encouraged by calling 518-561-0340.
For more information, please contact Helen Nerska, Director of Clinton County Historical Association by email director@clintoncountyhistorical.org or telephone 518-561-0340.
Photos: Peru Community Church from the Town of Peru Historian’s collection. St. Patrick’s Oratory and Mother Cabrini Shrine enclosure by John Ryan.
Posted: July 13th, 2023 under Community Events, Peru News, Peru/Regional History, Religious News.
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Plattsburgh Senior Center, 5139 North Catherine Street, Plattsburgh
Hear the story of the history of the Lozier family and the Lozier Company in Plattsburgh with rarely-seen photos of the family and company operations. Henry Abram Lozier was an Indiana-born sewing machine and bicycle manufacturer. After selling his bicycle business, Lozier moved to Plattsburgh to manufacture boats and marine engines. In 1905 he started the Lozier Automobile Company and entered the automobile manufacturing business. He produced the luxury Lozier, in Plattsburgh, from 1900 to 1915. Loziers were top-line luxury cars and for a time were the most expensive cars produced in the United States. The 1910 model featured cars priced between $4,600 and $7,750. That same year, a Cadillac could be bought for about $1,600 and a Packard for about $3,200. A pre-assembly line Ford Model T of the same year retailed at approximately $850 and the average annual salary in America was approximately $750. Mr. Soper was born in Plattsburgh and served in the US Air Force, stationed in Germany, in the field of Communication. His vast experiences in the area of transportation included work at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in Connecticut, where he built jet aircraft engines. He also worked at Bombardier Transportation, building passenger rail cars. For 12 years, he has worked at the Champlain Valley Transportation Museum as Director of Exhibits. He is currently a member of the Clinton County Historical Association’s Board of Trustees. The program is free and open to the public.
For more information call 518-561-0340 or email director@clintoncountyhistorical.org.
Posted: July 13th, 2023 under General News.
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Local plein air artist Dennon Walantus paints the Ausable River
Free Youth Arts Activities: Plein Air Painting at the Keeseville Community Garden
Free Youth Arts Activities: Tie Dye Workshop at Anderson Falls Park, and Live Musical Performance by Alice’s Fault
The third annual Keeseville Community Arts Festival will take place July 21-22, with several local organizations and businesses holding visual and performing arts events across the hamlet. The festival brings residents and visitors together to celebrate the arts and artistic assets of the community.
AdkAction’s annual Plein Air Show and Sale is at the festival’s core. Forty talented artists from near and far will paint Keeseville’s historic architecture, mountains, bridges, waterfalls and farms in the week leading up to the Festival, producing over 120 paintings. Community members will enjoy seeing the beauty of sights in their backyards by visiting the Plein Air Art Show and Sale, held for the first time at Keeseville’s historic Stone Mill on the Ausable River. A wine and cheese reception on Friday night and a brunch on Saturday morning will allow festival-goers to meet the artists in person and purchase their artwork. A new ‘Uplifting Community’ challenge will help keep plein air paintings at the festival accessible to all by asking artists to submit one painting priced below $250. In addition to prizes in the juried art show, AdkAction will also award three Emerging Artists Fellowships to support the next generation of fine arts.
New this year, a Color Run 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run organized by Dynamix Fitness and Wellness will kick off Saturday’s festivities at the Elk’s Club, with a finish line at the popular ‘Arts in the Park’ event in Anderson Falls Park. Artists and artisans local to Keeseville will set up in the park to demonstrate their craft, discuss their work, and sell pottery, jewelry, woodcrafts, and more. Festival goers can enjoy live music by local band Alice’s Fault and food from The Dogfather food truck and Island Vybz.
Free youth art activities include face painting, an outdoor watercolor workshop at the Keeseville Community Garden on Front Street, hoop dance classes by Vestopia Hoops, and a tie dye station that includes a free Keeseville Community Arts Festival shirt. You should sign up for these activities to ensure space and shirt availability. Sign up at
www.Adkaction.org/art
Adirondack Architectural Heritage also offers a free coloring book to help children and their families discover Keeseville’s nearby historic landmarks and create some artwork.
Visitors to the festival can get to know this charming lakeside community at the foothills of the Adirondack mountains and explore the area to try food, beer, and wine from local farms; enjoy live music at several venues; and visit area galleries, florists, antique shops and museums. For a complete guide to all arts and community events happening during the festival, visit
AdkAction.org/Art.
The Keeseville Community Arts Festival is organized by a team of local volunteers brought together by AdkAction as part of the nonprofit’s community revitalization through the arts project. Over 25 individual and business sponsors have supported this year’s festival.
This project is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrants Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by the Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts.
In part, the Keeseville Community Arts Festival is made possible by the Essex County Arts Council’s Cultural Assistance Program Grant with funding provided by Essex County.
Posted: July 13th, 2023 under Adirondack Region News, Arts and Entertainment, Community Events, Things to do in & near Peru.
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14-day comment period. Published in the Press-Republican on July 12, 2023.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Development
HamilSun Community Solar, LLC – HamilSun Community Solar Farm
Notice of Availability of an Environmental Assessment
AGENCY: Rural Business Service (RBS), USDA
ACTION: Notice of Availability of an Environmental Assessment
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Rural Business Service (RBS) – USDA RD, as required by the National Environmental Policy Act, is issuing an environmental assessment (EA) in connection with the possible impacts related to a project proposed by HamilSun Community Solar, LLC, of Clinton County, NY. The proposal is for the construction of the HamilSun Community Solar Farm – 2 megawatt (MW)-AC on 12 acres of an existing 194.5-acre parcel at 286 Mannix Road, in the Town of Peru, NY. HamilSun Community Solar LLC has submitted an application to RBS for funding of the proposal.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: To obtain copies of the Environmental Assessment or for further information, contact John T. Helgren, P.E., State Environmental Coordinator, NY State Office – Rural Development, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1 North Main Street, Cortland, NY 13045, (607) 218-3523, john.helgren@usda.gov. The EA is also available for public review at
Hamilsuncommunitysolar.com.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
An environmental assessment was prepared by Thomas J. LaBombard PE, for RBS that describes the project, assesses the proposed project’s environmental impacts, and summarizes as applicable any mitigation measures used to minimize environmental effects.
If implemented, the proposed project will convert fallow farmland. Given that the proposed project occurs in an NYS Agricultural District, the solar farm would be constructed in compliance with the Guidelines for Solar Energy Projects – Construction Mitigation for Agricultural Lands as issued by the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets and all applicable Federal environmental laws and regulations. The project is designed to avoid all identified wetland areas. In accordance with USDA Departmental Regulation 9500-3, Land Use Policy, the purpose of this notice is to inform the public of this conversion or effect, and request comments concerning the proposal, alternative actions that would avoid these impacts, and methods that could be used to minimize these impacts.
RBS has conducted an independent evaluation of the environmental assessment and believes that it accurately assesses the impacts of the proposed project. No significant impacts are expected as a result of the construction of the project.
Questions and comments should be sent to RBS at the address provided. RBS will accept questions and comments on the environmental assessment for 14 days from the date of publication of this notice.
Any final action by RBS related to the proposed project will be subject to, and contingent upon, compliance with all relevant Federal environmental laws and regulations and completion of environmental review procedures as prescribed by 7 CFR Part 1970, Environmental Policies and Procedures.
A general location map of the proposal is shown below.
Posted: July 13th, 2023 under Adirondack Region News, Agricultural News, Environmental News, General News, Northern NY News, Peru News.
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Clouds will begin forming in Northern New York around 2pm on Thursday, and will move east, with a line of thunderstorms making its way into Vermont into the early evening.
Click here for the MYNBC5 story
Posted: July 13th, 2023 under Northern NY News, Regional NY-VT News, Weather News/History.
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While officials say some of the wastewater has been diverted back to the treatment plant, 10% of the city’s wastewater is still entering the river.
Click for the VTDigger story
Posted: July 13th, 2023 under Environmental News, Lake Champlain News, Regional NY-VT News, Weather News/History.
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Have you heard about our new Open Rehearsal Hours project?
This project enhances our ability to provide accessible rehearsal space for artists working in music and performance art. For more details about the project and how to request use of our Music Studio and Theatre, visit our websit
e: https://www.strandcenter.org/open-rehearsal-hours
The New York State Council on the Arts makes the’ Open Rehearsal Hours’ project possible with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
Posted: July 13th, 2023 under Arts and Entertainment, Northern NY News, Peru/Regional History, State Government News.
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Eastern Clinton-Western Clinton-Western Essex-Eastern Essex-
Orleans-Essex-Lamoille-Caledonia-Washington-Western Addison-
Orange-Western Rutland-Eastern Franklin-Eastern Chittenden-
Eastern Addison-Eastern Rutland-Western Windsor-Eastern Windsor-
Including the cities of Champlain, Plattsburgh, Dannemora,
Ellenburg, Lake Placid, Newcomb, Port Henry, Ticonderoga, Derby,
Newport, Island Pond, Lunenburg, Johnson, Stowe, Hardwick, St.
Johnsbury, Montpelier, Waitsfield, Middlebury, Vergennes,
Bradford, Randolph, Fair Haven, Rutland, Enosburg Falls,
Richford, Richmond, Underhill, Bristol, Ripton, East Wallingford,
Killington, Bethel, Ludlow, Springfield, and White River Junction
242 AM EDT Thu Jul 13 2023
...FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM EDT THIS AFTERNOON
THROUGH LATE TONIGHT...
* WHAT...Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be
possible.
* WHERE...Essex and Clinton counties in New York. Portions of
Vermont, including the following counties, Caledonia, Eastern
Addison, Eastern Chittenden, Eastern Franklin, Eastern Rutland,
Eastern Windsor, Essex, Lamoille, Orange, Orleans, Washington,
Western Addison, Western Rutland and Western Windsor.
* WHEN...From 2 PM EDT this afternoon through late tonight.
* IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers,
creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
- Additional rainfall is expected this afternoon and evening as
a line of strong thunderstorms moves through. Rivers and
streams are already running high and any additional rainfall
will go straight to run-off in areas that have recently
flooded. Additional forecast rainfall amounts for this
afternoon and evening are 1 to 1.5 inches, locally up to 2
inches in the heaviest storms.
- http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Remain vigilant, monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible
Flash Flood Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should
be prepared to take action should flooding develop. Have a plan in
place now if your area is flooded. Make sure that you have a
reliable source to get flood alerts from.
&&
Posted: July 13th, 2023 under Adirondack Region News, Environmental News, Northern NY News, Regional NY-VT News, Weather News/History.
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A photo from the scene shows a home on Pleasant Street on fire, with smoke pouring out of the structure.
Click here for the MYNBC5 story
Posted: July 12th, 2023 under Adirondack Region News, Fire Department News, Northern NY News.
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Architectural Drawing
Architectural Drawing
Davey Drive is adjacent to and behind the Bear Swamp Road Dunkin’ Restaurant
By John T Ryan
Peru – July 12, 2023 – If the construction schedule goes as planned, in January 2024, there will be eight new apartments at Davey Drive Commons. The developer and general contractor, Nate Wilson, opened eight units in early 2020. He’s had no problem renting them, so he’s building eight more.
There are differences. Unlike the units next door, the new apartments do not have garages; however, they are larger bedrooms. Two-story apartments will have three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Single-story units will offer two bedrooms and two bathrooms.
Wilson commented, “I’m very proud of the first eight units. These will have a different color but a similar appearance. They’ll have top finishing touches, including granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and bronze lighting fixtures.”
Four years ago, when the Peru Gazette interviewed Wilson, he cited several of Peru’s remarkable qualities: “I think many people are looking for Peru’s conveniences and small-town life. They’ll be very close to restaurants, the post office and the walking trail.” Wilson hasn’t changed his mind. He stated, ” Peru offers so much, but people supporting local establishments is essential.”
As a developer, Wilson stated, “By and large, Peru is relatively friendly to develop in. The school district is well-favored. That’s very important.”
As stated in our 2020 story, Peru is also home to insurance agencies, a credit union, a bank, a supermarket, a drug store, farmer’s markets, orchards, an accounting firm, hardware stores, a liquor store, a laundromat, a car wash, gas stations, churches, beauty shops, dentists, a medical practice, a new Stewart’s and more. Peru offers its residents city amenities but in a small town.
Posted: July 12th, 2023 under Business News, General News, Northern NY News, Peru News, Peru/Regional History.
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The Town of Schuyler Falls announces this summer’s Music in the Park series for 2023. Concerts are held outdoors at the River Street Park off Mason Street in the hamlet of Morrisonville, in Schuyler Falls (97 River Street at Ladue St). All programs are free and open to all.
“Last year was the first year for the events, and the concerts proved very popular in this new park. We have expanded to the full summer and on Saturday evenings starting at 6 pm, and finishing by 9 pm,” according to Kevin Randall, Town Supervisor. “This is a great way for friends, family and neighbors to get together for a fun evening.”
Concerts started Saturday, July 1st, with Too Tall String Band (photo attached), and continue Saturdays through August 26th (no concert July 29th – Clinton County Fair week), plus two Sundays – July 9th and August 13th. All are welcome to attend, including families and kids. Admission is free. Light refreshments will be available for purchase every week, plus a food truck on July 22. It is recommended to bring your own chairs or blankets to be comfortable.
Concerts begin at 6 pm and end ~9 pm. Come early to see the park, enjoy a picnic supper, stay for the music, and have fun with family and friends! Sponsored by the Town of Schuyler Falls.
Here is the full schedule – all dates are Saturday unless noted as Sunday:
July 8 – Kickin’ Up Dust Country
Sunday, July 9 – Tunes of Time DJs & Karaoke (Nick Bola)
July 15 – John Geno (a one-man band experience from InCahoots and South Junction)
July 22 – Towne Meeting (plus ADK Oasis Food Truck starting at 5 pm at the park)
August 5 – Model 97 (a new band)
August 12 – The Bootleg Band (popular, all genres)
Sunday, August 13 – Tunes of Time DJs & Karaoke
August 19 – Neil Gillespie (solo artist returning from last year)
August 26 – Tunes of Time DJs & Karaoke
Town of Schuyler Falls, PO Box 99, 997 Mason St, Morrisonville, NY 12962, 518-563-1129
Kevin Randall, Supervisor
Posted: July 12th, 2023 under Arts and Entertainment, Community Events, General News, Northern NY News.
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Several bodies of water reached new highs, while others came close to matching records set during Tropical Storm Irene. By Tuesday night, most were receding.
Click here for the VTDigger story
Posted: July 12th, 2023 under Peru/Regional History, Regional NY-VT News, Weather News/History.
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Money was Taken from her Deceased Mother-in-Law’s Bank Account
State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia Ryan K. Buchanan and Inspector General for the Social Security Administration Gail S. Ennis today announced that Sandra Smith, a resident of Georgia, has pleaded guilty to the federal crime of theft of government funds and must pay back $459,050 in New York state pension and Social Security payments that were issued to her deceased mother-in-law.
“Exploiting the death of a family member for personal profit is a heinous crime,” DiNapoli said. “The defendant took advantage of our state pension fund and the Social Security Administration, but due to our joint investigation, her crimes were discovered. She now faces the consequences of her actions. My thanks to U.S. Attorney Buchanan and the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General for their partnership in ensuring justice was served and restitution was made in this case.”
Smith pleaded guilty to two counts of theft of government funds. Under her plea agreement, she will pay $264,699 in restitution to the state pension system and $194,351 to the SSA.
The defendant’s late mother-in-law, Minnie Smith, was an employee of the New York State Insurance Fund for 20 years until retiring in 2005. To be closer to family, she moved from Brooklyn to Georgia afterward and passed away there on Sept. 14, 2006.
As her mother-in-law’s caretaker, Sandra Smith had access to her bank account, which she kept open after her death to enable the theft of continued payments from the New York state pension system and Social Security. The Comptroller’s Division of Investigations and the SSA-OIG discovered and investigated the thefts.
Smith, 49, pleaded before Judge Eleanor Ross of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.
Posted: July 11th, 2023 under Law Enforcement News, National News, State Government News.
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The Town of Peru Highway Department will be paving Burnt Hill Road from Norrisville Road to town line, on Wednesday, July 12th from 6:30 am til 2 pm.
Local traffic, school buses & emergency vehicles will be able to access the road.
Posted: July 11th, 2023 under Highway Dept. News, Northern NY News, Peru News.
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The Clinton County Historical Association welcomes the public to a presentation on the life of Clinton County’s medical pioneer, Dr. William Beaumont, by Dr. Paolo Fedi, on July 20, 2:30 pm, at The Grand Room, Meadowbrook Healthcare, 154 Prospect Ave, Plattsburgh.
Dr. Beaumont’s story is one of legend, and his legacy is shared throughout the United States with hospitals and awards bearing his name. He was declared by SUNY Plattsburgh, during their dedication of the Beaumont Building, to be one of the greatest physicians in world medical history for his study of the human digestive process. Dr. Fedi, also a gastroenterologist, will tell the story of Beaumont’s struggles and successes which earned Beaumont his acclaim and provide insights into the unusual methods by which Beaumont added to scientific knowledge. Beaumont married, taught school, buried a son, aided our 1814 soldiers, practiced medicine, and published his medical classic “Experiment and Observations on the Gastric Juice and the Psychology of Digestion,” all in Clinton County.
For more information call 518-561-0340 or email director@clintoncountyhistorical.org.
Posted: July 11th, 2023 under Community Events, Education News, Heathcare News, Northern NY News, Peru/Regional History.
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