The Peru Gazette

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“The indicators are good that we will have, barring another wave or anything, that we will have a good year,” Davis stated. The community isn’t completely helpless when it comes to the state of the local economy, there are ways to help. “Shop local. The sales tax dollars not only need to stay here but our local businesses need to be supported,” Source: County official gives an inside look at local economy | Sun Community News PLATTSBURGH | 2020 was not a normal year by any means. The global pandemic forced people around the world, our community included, to adapt.

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Kristina Hand to Serve Two Years of Probation and Pay $34,000 in Restitution for Stealing from Morris Central School District

State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli announced Kristina Hand was sentenced in federal court for stealing $34,000 from the Morris Central School District in Otsego County.

Hand, 47, of Morris, pled guilty last September to two counts of federal program theft, for stealing from a school district that received federal funds. She was sentenced Thursday to two years of probation and ordered to serve 50 hours of community service. Hand was also ordered to pay $34,000 in restitution.

“Ms. Hand took advantage of her position as treasurer and thought she could get away with stealing from the school district to fund her personal shopping,” DiNapoli said. “She was wrong and now she must face the consequences of her actions. My thanks to Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York Antoinette T. Bacon and the FBI for their continued partnership in the fight against public corruption.”

Hand admitted she stole about $24,000 by depositing checks payable to the school district into bank accounts that she controlled. She also admitted stealing at least $10,000 more by using the school district’s Amazon account and credit cards to purchase personal items during her time as treasurer for the school district from 2014 through February 2020.

This case was investigated in partnership with the FBI and the New York State Police and was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District.

Collections Up Compared to Same Month When First Wave of Pandemic Hit

Local government sales tax collections in April grew by 45.7 percent over the same month in 2020, State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli announced today. Collections totaled $1.5 billion, up $464 million from April of last year.

“The strong collections in April show that the economy is gaining steam, thanks in part to federal aid, more lifts in restrictions and a climb in the vaccination rates,” DiNapoli said. “However, local governments must monitor changing economic conditions and continue to be vigilant when it comes to their finances.”

Much of this spike in monthly statewide local sales taxes over last year reflects the extremely weak collections experienced by every region of the state in April 2020, when many businesses were closed. Even so, collections last month were quite strong: when comparing April 2021 to April 2019 (before the pandemic), they increased significantly, up 10.2 percent or $137 million.

All counties except, Oswego County, saw their year-over-year collections for April grow by a wide margin, ranging from 28.2 percent in Schuyler County to 131 percent in Schenectady County. New York City’s collections totaled $657 million, an increase of 39.6 percent or $186 million.

In the last month of each calendar quarter, the Department of Taxation and Finance reconciles quarterly distributions against what had been reported by sales tax vendors for the reporting quarter, and adjusts payments to local jurisdictions in those months upward or downward accordingly. In all other months, including April, the payments are based on estimates. The next reconciliation will be reported in mid-July and will provide a more accurate regional picture of sales tax collections during the second quarter (April-June) of 2021.

Table

Monthly Local Sales Tax Collections by Region (for detailed monthly breakdown)

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Find out how your government money is spent at Open Book New York. Track municipal spending, the state’s 180,000 contracts, billions in state payments and public authority data. Visit the Reading Room for contract FOIL requests, bid protest decisions and commonly requested data.

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By John T. Ryan

Town Board May 10th Meeting Highlights

Local Law #1 of 2021 was approved. It requires that written notice be provided regarding any defective and hazardous condition existing on town-owned or maintained properties; otherwise, a civil action against the town cannot be maintained. Town Attorney Matt Favro said laws of this nature have been common as long as he has been a lawyer (15 years). They are intended to forestall lawsuits regarding such matters as defective sidewalks and steps. Peru resident John Ryan (your reporter speaking as a resident) disagreed saying the law extends to culverts, highways and any property owned by the town and that the law didn’t sound constitutional to him. Ryan couldn’t understand how any government would not be liable for an unsafe condition on its property. (Note – Your reporter’s subsequent research revealed that the law has been enacted in many towns and even expanded by New York State courts. The legal cases involved incidents similar to those mentioned by Mr. Favro). The counselors approved the law with a 3-0 vote by counselors Douglass, Irwin, and Bruno. Supervisor Brandy McDonald and Counselor Rick Barber were excused from the meeting. A person who believes that there is an unsafe or hazardous condition on any town property or highway must file their concern in writing with either the town clerk or the superintendent of highways. Click here to read the law

Peru resident Matt St. Clair inquired if the town would be interested in sharing the cost of paving what he referred to as the Brand Hollow Rd. Extension, a 300 ft. dirt road on the east side of Route 22.  He estimated the cost at $20,000. The counselors referred to the long legal battle between the town and Henry Dashnaw, owner of the Adirondack and Country Club. Dashnaw wanted the town to pave what he contended was once the Brand Hollow Rd. road on his side of I87. The town contended that it had never been a town road and even it had been a town road it had been legally abandoned for many years.  Based on that history, the Town cannot work with Mr. St. Clair. (Click here for details of that settlement)

A School Street drainage issue needs to be resolved. Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell said water draining from the Peru High School’s roofs flow into a pipe that ends at the end of School Street. Significant erosion has taken place near the pipe’s end. Mike Farrell said District Superintendent Dr. Tom Palmer says it’s the town’s problem. Farrell says it’s the school’s problem. Town Attorney Matt Favro said the exact quantity of water flowing through the pipe needs to be determined. 

The Board accepted the resignation of Codes Office Secretary Darlene Grigware and approved changing the job to a 29-hour per week part-time position. The Board will send a letter of appreciation to Mrs. Grigware. (Editor’s Note – I will miss Darlene’s courtesy, professionalism, and sense of humor.) 

Water-Sewer Superintendent Courtney Tetrault and Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell agreed to a 50-50 department cost split to purchase a new excavator. A new machine would cost between $90,000 and $111,000, while a used machine would cost $75,000 to $85,000. Counselors Douglass, Irwin, and Bruno expressed support for purchasing the new machine given its useful life and warranty. 

Courtney Tetrault told the Board that he would like to install a larger water line on Sunrise Drive and portions of Elm Street. He also mentioned replacing lead service connections with copper connections. His water test haven’ revealed any lead issues, but as long as the sewer contractor is digging up the street to replace sewer lines, this would be the best time to change the connections.  Tetrault said the Health Department might have some money available for such work. 

Tetrault also reported that the ongoing sewer upgrade project is ahead of schedule and is going very well. The NYSDOT issued its project permits. The contractor should finish North Bend Street this week and move on to Elm Street next week. 

The Board still hopes to schedule concerts at Heyworth-Mason Park. The state’s designation of the park as a flood plain means the town cannot construct a permanent structure on the property.

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Source: Attorney breaks down what marijuana in the workplace means | Sun Community News PLATTSBURGH | On May 13, the North Country Chamber of Commerce held a webinar with Jacqueline Kelleher, an attorney with the firm Stafford Owens, to discuss the recent legaliza