The Peru Gazette

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Worker-owned cooperative is first of its kind in the region

Jay, N.Y and Malone, N.Y. — The employees of Ward Lumber have made history by purchasing the 130-year-old business as a worker-owned cooperative. The transaction marks the first employee ownership transition of its kind in the North Country region of New York State.

The lumber products and hardware store, which has locations in Jay and Malone, N.Y. and employs over 50 local people, has been in Jay Ward’s family for four generations. Ward, who will continue his leadership role as the company’s chief executive officer, completed a contract with his employee team that makes Ward Lumber the largest worker-owned cooperative in the region.

“Every business is going to go through a transition, whether that is by design or default,” said Ward. “Rather than choose liquidation or selling to some other business that would change the culture, I wanted to look at employee ownership. 

“Employee ownership vests the control of the company in the hands of the people that work it every day, who live in the communities that we serve, and have that vested interest in ownership,” Ward said. “I really wanted to empower the employee team to make decisions on their behalf and for their benefit.” 

Ward Lumber has been a business pillar in the community since 1890, providing local jobs, supporting the region’s farm and construction industries, and having direct and indirect economic impacts on area businesses and communities.

Ward Pine Mill, the manufacturing division of the Ward Lumber family enterprise, is operated by Jay’s brother Jeff Ward. Ward Pine Mill became an independent business in 2017 and is not included in the employee ownership transaction.

“The main thing that’s changing is I’ll be reporting to a board of directors of our employee team,” Ward said, noting they have been working on the transition process for over three years. Ward will remain heavily involved operating the business for the foreseeable future.

Alex Pond, a board member who has been employed with the company for over six years, said, “This co-op is more than a change in ownership. It’s an opportunity to shape a future for Ward Lumber that is best for the business, our staff and the community. It’s an amazing way for people like me to help carry Ward Lumber into the next generation.”

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State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli and Clinton County District Attorney Andrew J. Wylie, announced the arrest of Mary L. Bell, Clerk of the Town of Saranac. Bell, 54, was arrested Thursday for allegedly falsifying records to hide her failure to deposit more than $800 in cash payments to the town that she collected as Clerk. Her actions allegedly took place from April 2017 to August 2017.

“Ms. Bell, as an elected official, swore to act with honesty and integrity. Instead, she took advantage of her position to manipulate the town’s records to cover for missing cash she was supposed to deposit.” said State Comptroller DiNapoli. “Thanks to our partnership with Clinton County District Andrew Wylie and the Clinton County Sheriff’s Department, Bell’s actions were exposed and she is now being held accountable.”

Bell’s actions were brought to light by the State Comptroller’s office during the course of a routine examination. Bell, of Redford, allegedly collected $1,203 in cash for various clerk fees including dog licenses, marriage licenses, building permits and a death certificate, but deposited only $392 of that cash into the public coffers. To hide the more than $800 in missing cash, Bell substituted funds leftover in a dormant town clerk bank account.

Bell was charged with five counts of falsifying business records in the first degree (class E felony), one count of corrupting the government in the fourth degree (class E felony) and official misconduct (class A misdemeanor). Bell was arraigned Thursday in Clinton County Court and was released on her own recognizance. She is due back in court on May 27.

The arrest was a result of a joint investigation between the State Comptroller’s Office the Clinton County District Attorney’s Office and the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office.

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On Wednesday, the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center reported just 2.82 percent of Canadians were fully vaccinated, compared to 27.12 percent in the U.S. The Leger poll results may have dampened enthusiasm at the national level for a quick border reopening, particularly if Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faces re-election in the autumn. “Trudeau may want to delay any changes until after an election,” Charest said.

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Senator Dan Stec said legislation he is cosponsoring to end the practice of using double-bunking in New York State prisons passed the State Senate today.

The bill (S2211) was approved unanimously by a vote of 61-0.

“Double bunking leads to cramped quarters, which can raise tensions among inmates and create challenges that put our correctional officers at risk,” said Senator Stec.  “As we saw with COVID, and the same could apply with any airborne communicable disease, there’s an advantage to social distancing and double bunking is precisely the wrong approach.”

The Public Employees Federation (PEF) supports the bill, explaining in a memo that by limiting the number of inmates in state correctional facilities the demand for professional services, including medical, dental and educational, will be more manageable.

Companion legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Billy Jones is pending consideration by the Assembly Committee on Correction.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the ANNUAL MEETING of the inhabitants of the Peru Central School District, Peru, New York, qualified to vote at school meetings in the district will be held on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, from 12:00 Noon to 9:00 p.m. for the transaction of such business as is authorized by Education Law.

AND NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN, that the ANNUAL BUDGET HEARING of the inhabitants of the Peru Central School District, Peru, New York, will be held on Tuesday, May 11, 2021, at 7 p.m., in the High School Cafeteria.

AND NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN, that the ANNUAL MEETING shall include the following two (2) propositions:

Budget Proposition No. 1

Shall the Board of Education of Peru Central School District be authorized to expend a sum not to exceed $49,982,897 for the 2021‐2022 school year, and to levy the necessary tax therefore?

Bus Proposition No. 2

Shall the Board of Education of the Peru Central School District be authorized to purchase and, at the option of the Board, finance three (3) standard 65-passenger school buses, including related and ancillary equipment, at a maximum estimated cost of $130,120 each, for a total aggregate maximum cost of $390,360, and to raise the necessary funds therefor by a tax upon the taxable property of said District to be levied and collected in annual installments in the years and in the amounts as the Board of Education shall determine, with such tax to be partially offset by State aid available therefor and, in anticipation of such tax, by either the issuance of debt obligations of the said School District or by a lease/purchase financing for such school buses, in either case in an amount not to exceed such estimated aggregate cost?

AND NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN, that a copy of the statement of expenditures which will be required in the ensuing year for school purposes, exclusive of public monies, may be obtained by any taxpayer in the District during the fourteen days immediately preceding the ANNUAL MEETING and on the day of this meeting, except Saturday, Sunday or a School Holiday, at any District schoolhouse, during the designated hours of 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

AND NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN, that applications for absentee ballots will be available from the District Clerk, except on Saturdays, Sundays or School Holidays, or via the web at www.perucsd.org.  Applications are obtainable from the District Clerk between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., except on April 6 – 9, 2021, when they will be available between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.  Completed applications must be received by the District Clerk no later than 3:30 p.m. on May 11, 2021 if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter.  Completed applications received after 3:30 p.m. on May 11, 2021 will require the voter to personally appear at the Office of the District Clerk to receive an absentee ballot.  Completed absentee ballots must be received in the office of the District Clerk by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 18, 2021.  A listing of all persons to whom an absentee ballot was issued will be available for inspection by any qualified voter of the District at the Office of the District Clerk between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. through May 18, 2021.  Such listing will also be posted at the polling place on the day of the vote.

AND NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN, that the qualified voters of the School District shall be entitled to vote at said annual budget vote and school board election.  A qualified voter is one who is (1) a citizen of the United States of America, (2) eighteen years of age or older, and (3) a resident within the School District for a period of thirty (30) days next preceding the annual vote and election.  The School District may require all persons offering to vote at the budget vote and election to provide one form of proof of residency pursuant to Education Law §2018-c.  Such form must include a driver’s license, a non-driver identification card, a utility bill, or a voter registration card.

AND NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN, that voting on the budget and for one member of the Board of Education will take place on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, between the hours of 12:00 noon and 9:00 p.m., in the Gymnasium of the HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING of the Peru Central School District.  Voting will be via machine.

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