The Peru Gazette

By John T. Ryan

Ms. Hillary David addressed the board regarding her building at 692 Bear Swamp Rd. a building once occupied by a veterinarian practice. She has opened a dog and cat rescue facility; however, there appears to be a question if the zoning law permits a facility of this nature at that location. Unfortunately, Code Enforcement Officer Bob Guynup was on vacation; therefore, he wasn’t present to respond to Ms. David’s concerns. The board and town attorney, Matt Favro appeared to be sympathetic, but they told David that her situation is a planning and/or zoning board matter, not a town board issue. 

In other actions, the Town Board: 

• Amended the sewer upgrade project bond to include phase #2 of the project authorizing the town to borrow $6,433,926. (Note – The Board subsequently scheduled a Friday, September 30, 11 a.m. Emergency Meeting to rescind this resolution and replace it with another resolution.)

• Expressed satisfaction with the Sunday, July 25 Peru Town Market at Heyworth Mason Park. Councilman Rick Barber and Melvin Irwin said everything went very smoothly. Barber suggested laying down gravel or millings in the parking area. He would also like to see bathrooms installed in the stone building. Water-Sewer Superintendent Courtney Tetrault said his personnel could install bathrooms if the board decides to do so. 

• Discussed a dispute with the Peru School District regarding a washout situation at the end of School Street. The Town Board believes a pipe carrying school runoff is causing the washouts. Attorney Matt Favro stated that neither the town nor the school owns the property; therefore, the school should be responsible if its runoff is causing the problems. 

• Transmitted four resident highway speed reduction requests to the Clinton County Highway Department. The county will consider the requests and further them to the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) for consideration. DOT makes all final speed limit reduction decisions. The requests involve Valley View Drive, the Signor Rd. between the Calkins Road and the Ausable town line, Telegraph Rd. between Route 442 and the Ausable town line, and the Lyons Road between the Rock Rd and Plattsburgh town line. 

Water-Sewer Superintendent Courtney Tetrault reported that the sewer upgrade project is going well. The contractor has to reinstall the sewer line from the east side to the west side of the Route 22 bridge. AES Engineering detected a line dip that needs correction. Town Attorney Matt Favro commented that it had been great working with AES Engineering. He said AES keeps a close watch on the work and does a good job representing the town’s interest. 

Tetrault asked the board to permit an exception in its equipment standardization policy. Koehler has been the town’s preferred sewer generator provider; however, its generators will not be available until February or later. Tetreault recommended purchasing a Generac generator if one is available. 

7/30/31 – Clinton County Health Department Post “There is good evidence that our vaccines are safe and effective, and provide protection against the variants circulating in the United States. The vaccines are preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Vaccination is the best way to protect you, your family, and your community. A high vaccination rate will reduce the spread of the virus and help prevent new variants from emerging.”

Photo caption – “Dalton Criss, a standout Peru Central School athlete and musician, as he appeared in a 2019 senior portrait. Criss was killed in an August 2019 car accident that also severely injured his mother, Barbara. The Dalton Rashad Criss Memorial Scholarship was established in his memory to support North Country students enrolled at SUNY Plattsburgh. He was a member of the Plattsburgh State Gospel Choir and an active member of the Faith Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church and Choir of Glens Falls”

Source: ‘He always felt people’s hearts’: Late Peru student Criss remembered on 20th birthday | Local News | pressrepublican.com

“Biological control (bio-control) is the practice of importing and releasing natural enemies from a pest’s native range to help manage the target-pest’s populations in areas of introduction. APHIS research into natural enemies of EAB has identified several species of small, female parasitoid wasps that don’t bite or sting, but which seeks out EAB, in order to lay their eggs inside the bodies of living EAB larvae.

Source: Emerald Ash Borer and Ash Trees – A New Approach – The Adirondack Almanack

Early Detection of Asian Longhorned Beetle Infestations to Protect Trees

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today encouraged swimming pool owners to participate in DEC’s annual Asian Longhorned Beetle Swimming Pool Survey. During late summer, Asian longhorned beetles (ALB) emerge as adults and are active outside of their host tree. The goal of the survey is to locate infestations of these invasive pests before they cause serious damage to the State’s forests and street trees.

“The best opportunity to eradicate and limit the spread of invasive species is by finding infestations early, when populations are low,” said Commissioner Seggos. “Swimming pool monitoring is a simple, economical approach to surveying for these pests and gives New Yorkers the chance to take an active role in protecting their communities.”

From now until swimming pools are closed for the season, DEC is asking pool owners to periodically check their filters for insects that resemble ALB, and report suspects either by emailing photos to foresthealth@dec.ny.gov or mailing insects to DEC’s Forest Health Diagnostics Lab at 108 Game Farm Road, Delmar, NY 12054, Attn: Liam Somers.

People without swimming pools can help the effort by reporting signs of ALB in their communities. The invasive pest ALB:

• Is about 1.5 inches long, black with white spots, and have black and white antennae;
• Leave perfectly round exit holes about the size of a dime in branches and trunks of host trees;
• and Create sawdust-like material called frass that collects on branches and around the base of trees.

ALB are wood-boring beetles native to Asia that were accidentally introduced to the United States through wood-packing materials. These pests attack a variety of hardwoods, including maples, birches, and willows, among others, and have caused the death of hundreds of thousands of trees across the country. The State Department of Agriculture and Markets has worked diligently to manage ALB infestations in New York, successfully eradicating them from Brooklyn, Staten Island, Manhattan, Islip, and Queens. The beetle is still actively managed in central Long Island, and there are active infestations in Massachusetts, Ohio, and South Carolina.

For more information on the ALB Swimming Pool Survey and ALB, including biology and identification tools, visit DEC’s website. Attached photos are courtesy of NYSDEC.

“That means residents in three counties in Upstate New York — Greene County, Saratoga County and Warren County — should now be wearing masks even if they’re vaccinated, according to the latest data available Thursday.”

Source: These 12 counties in New York state should return to masks indoors, CDC says (update) – syracuse.com

Source: In Lake Placid, more short term rentals means fewer local kids | NCPR News

Bob Kaschak and his office display

Bob’s business sign is a great example of his craftmanship.

By John T. Ryan (Please Share)

Peru – Bob Kaschak’s business card reads: “Creating advertising works of art.” His many customers undoubtedly agree. Kaschak is the owner and operator of Artisan Sign and Design located at 3092 Main St. in Peru. You can find his signs in Peru, in many other North Country towns, the Hudson Valley, Pennsylvania, and as far away as Alaska. He crafted a sign for Polished Salon is across the street from his business.

Kaschak has been in the sign business for twenty-nine years. His wife Teresa handles the business bookkeeping and does a lot of the sign painting. Bob commented, “Teresa has a wonderful eye for color selection and design.” For the first twenty-five years, Artisan Sign and Design was a home-based endeavor, first on Plattsburgh Air Force Base when he was a member of the U.S. Air Force and later at his Peru residence. Kaschak explained, “I never put a sign out front in respect for my neighbors. All of my sales have been by word of mouth and from our website. We bought this property four years ago. It’s the first time I’ve operated in a commercial location.”

Kaschak usually has six to eight jobs in progress. He initially meets with clients to discuss their goals, then returns to his office to develop conceptual drawings. When he believes he’s satisfied the client’s needs, he schedules an approval meeting. The entire process, including crafting a sign, typically takes sixty to ninety days.

A recent Peru Gazette photo of the sign Kaschak donated to the Town of Peru for Sullivan Park brought Artisan Sign and Design to many people’s attention. Kaschak says crafting the two-sided three-dimensional sign was a “labor of love,” as it took him about 140 hours to design and manufacture. The sign should be there for many years because Kaschak uses high-density urethane as his base material. He explained, “Urethane has taken over the sign industry. It’s relatively inexpensive, and the best thing about it is that it lasts for a long, long time, from twenty to twenty-five years.” Kaschak also uses acrylic-based paints. He explained, “Acrylics have replaced oil-based paints on signs just like they have on houses. They look good for a long time.”

The vast majority of Kaschak’s signs are hand-crafted. Still, a few months ago, he purchased a computer-controlled CMC router enabling him to create even more complex dimensional shapes crafted to hundredths of inches. Some components can take the router as long as nine hours to process. The uniform high-density urethane is an ideal machining material.

There are undoubtedly many reasons for Bob Kaschak’s business success. The wholehearted support of his wife Teresa and sons Sean and Mark has been a significant contributor. He also has innate skills. He recalled, “I hated math in high school, but I loved industrial arts, machining, and working with my hands.” He’s also fortunate to practice a profession where its practitioners share knowledge. Kaschak is a Letterhead, a group of talented sign makers who travel from many states and countries to share ideas and techniques. Bob said, “It’s an informal get-together. We meet at someone’s shop, set up tents, and share our knowledge.”

The Letterheads have a saying about sign makers – “World famous, locally unknown.” That expression may fit Bob Kaschak. He placed a beautifully crafted sign in front of his business; however, he quietly practices his craft back from the highway in his workshop. It’s there that he has the peace to create his beautiful works of art.

Concept drawing of his Sullivan Park sign

The finished product that he donated to his community.

Source: It’s the worst time to buy a car, but what if you have to? – syracuse.com

Source: High school sports won’t be impacted by Covid restrictions, NYSPHSAA says – syracuse.com

Source: As caterpillars turn into gypsy moths, a respite for trees

Source: The Proposed Great Schroon Lake (or the Dams that Never Were) – The Adirondack Almanack

Plattsburgh, NY –  The IJSBA National Championships presented by East Coast Watercross is back on the Adirondack Coast after 2020 interrupted by COVID-19! Watch as jet skiers soar across Lake Champlain from 10 am-6 pm. each day, July 31 – August 1, in an action-packed race around a 30-buoy course, providing entertainment and suspense for all spectators. 

Tentative competition classes include: 

 Novice Runabout Stock 

 Novice Runabout N/A Stock 

 Amateur Runabout Limited 

 Pro/Am Runabout Limited 

 Pro/Am Runabout Superstock 

 Novice X2 Open 

 Pro/Am X2 Open 

 Novice Sport Spec 

 Pro/Am Sport Spec 

 Amateur Ski Lite 

 Pro/Am Ski Lite 

 Novice Ski Stock 

 Pro/Am Ski Stock 

 Pro/Am Ski GP 

 Pro/Am Sport GP 

 Pro/Am Runabout Stock 

 Pro/Am Runabout N/A Stock 

 Amateur Runabout Rec Lite 

 Amateur Freestyle 

 Pro Freestyle 

 Amateur Runabout 1100 Stock 

 Pro Am Runabout 1100 Stock 

 Amateur Runabout 1100 Superstock 

 Pro/Am Runabout 1100 Superstock 

 Superchicken 

Vintage Ski Open and the Event Director Christopher Yates commented, “East Coast Watercross LLC is proud to return to the Plattsburgh City Beach for their third hosting of the International Jet Sports Boating Association’s National Championship! With many beaches and locations to choose from in our 13 state territory, Plattsburgh is always our first choice due to its size, water conditions and local businesses who welcome ourselves and athletes from all over the country with open arms! We hope to see you all there on the beach supporting these athletes as they battle on the shore of Lake Champlain.” 

Racing will be completely visible right from Plattsburgh City Beach each day. Classes range from Novice racers to pros, juniors to Veterans and more – all running one time in the morning and a second time in the afternoon both days, making for non-stop, action-packed fun for the entire family. 

So come out, walk through the pits, grab a free sample from tour sponsor, Monster Energy, shop race-inspired clothing and accessories, grab food from The Dogfather Food Cart (Sunday only) and enjoy watching talented racers from all over the country take on Lake Champlain – rain or shine, July 31 – August 1 (beach admission fees and rules do apply)!

Source: NY to require state employees to get vaccines, or get tested

Source: Federal bill looks to improve veteran healthcare accessibility | Sun Community News WASHINGTON, D.C. | U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik has cosponsored new bipartisan legislation aimed at extending provisions of a 2016 measure aimed at improving veteran healthcare

Source: Smith part of Kerry Cup golf program | Sun Community News PERU | A change in venue due to the COVID-19 pandemic allowed a local high school golfer to play with some of the best juniors in the country and throughout the world this summer.