The Peru Gazette

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The Peru Central School Board of Education will gather Monday, March 29^th at 6 PM in the High School Cafeteria for a special meeting related to reopening plans.  The public may view the meeting live via Zoom at https://E2CCB-GST.zoom.us/j/91463980707.

The meeting will also be recorded and will be available on the District’s website at www.perucsd.org.

The meeting is open to the public and all current COVID-19 safety procedures and protocols will be followed.

The agenda will be available on the District’s website.

“Infection rates are continuing to decline while more and more people across the North Country are getting vaccinated, especially residents of nursing homes where the vaccination rate has reached 87%. With that in mind, the Department of Health needs to provide clear guidance to nursing homes that allows more visitation. Too many people have been separated from their loved ones over the past year and continue to struggle to navigate inconsistent visitation guidelines so that they can finally be reunited. The state legislature recently passed legislation that would allow for more compassionate care visitation at nursing homes and residential health care facilities, while the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released guidance for nursing homes that would allow more people to visit nursing homes. I am calling on DOH to apply this guidance statewide because it is time for people to be reunited with their loved ones. Families and residents deserve clear guidelines from DOH, and nursing homes need to make visitation as accessible as possible.”

Streamlined Rule Changes will Increase Angling Opportunities, Take Effect on April 1 for 2021 Trout Opener

New Interactive Trout Stream Fishing Map Also Launched Today

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced the finalization of new trout stream regulations that will take effect on April 1, 2021, and help improve the management of inland trout streams across the state. The new regulations support the objectives of the five management categories of DEC’s Trout Stream Management Plan and significantly increase trout stream angling opportunities by allowing fishing year-round. In addition, DEC launched a new interactive Trout Stream Fishing Map to provide anglers with information about how and where to find their preferred type of trout angling opportunities.

“These newly finalized trout stream regulations will help DEC implement our ongoing approach to trout stream management, which is based in science and developed transparently with public input,” Commissioner Seggos said. “These regulations not only extend fishing opportunities but also balance the desires of New York State’s diverse trout stream anglers with our responsibility to manage these resources to their fullest ecological and recreational potential. And the new interactive Trout Stream Fishing Map launched today adds to the incredible resources available on the DECInfo Locator, making it easier than ever before to access information about New York’s outdoor resources.”

The Trout Stream Management Plan’s categories, objectives, and strategies were developed to achieve outcomes identified by a diverse audience of anglers that participated in more than 20 public meetings held across the state. These changes also reflect DEC’s continuing efforts to simplify regulations whenever possible to make fishing more accessible and enjoyable. The rulemaking eliminates more than 20 types of special regulations associated with trout stream reaches, reducing 26 regulations to four, while sustaining a consistent level of resource protection.

The new regulations are: Read more »

Must Pay More Than $46,000 in Restitution

Former Town of Potter Clerk Julie Brown pleaded guilty yesterday after pocketing public funds for her personal use and must pay back $46,646 in restitution. Her thefts were brought to light during a joint investigation by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli’s office, Yates County District Attorney Todd Casella’s office and Yates County Sheriff Ronald Spike’s office.

Brown, 49, admitted before Judge Cook in Yates County Court that she stole cash payments made to the town for property taxes and fees for marriage licenses, dog licenses, hunting permits and building permits. The thefts took place between January 1, 2018 and May 21, 2019, when Brown resigned. She pleaded guilty to Grand Larceny in the 3^rddegree as a public corruption crime, Corrupting the Government in the 2^nd degree, Scheme to Defraud in the 1^st degree, two counts of Tampering with Public Records in the 1^st degree and Official Misconduct. Brown agreed to pay $46,646 in restitution as part of her plea agreement, of which she paid $20,000 during yesterday’s plea.

“Ms. Brown violated the public trust by stealing community funds to cover her personal expenses and now has been held accountable for her crimes,” DiNapoli said, “I thank Yates County District Attorney Todd Casella and Yates County Sheriff Ronald Spike for helping us to bring this former clerk to justice.”

“Finding justice where a public official acts contrary to their oath of office shows accountability for people’s confidence in our system,” said Sheriff Ron Spike. “I thank all involved in this criminal investigation and prosecution, especially the New York State Comptroller’s office for their professional support.”

Brown was initially arrested on November 20, 2020 and released on her own recognizance. Brown is due back in court for sentencing on May 25.

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Source: In-Person Hunter Education Classes Resume April 1 – – The Adirondack Almanack

By John T. Ryan 

The American Rescue Plan’s (ARP) impact on the Town was the first agenda at the Peru Town Board’s Monday, March 22nd meeting. Passed by Congress and signed by President Biden the plan will provide $12.6 to New York State, including $825 million to smaller cities, towns and villages. Supervisor Brandy McDonald explained, “There are still many questions. A lot of moving pieces have to come together. The $760,000 that appeared in the newspaper is only an estimate.” McDonald said he would keep everyone informed as he receives more information. 

McDonald passed out a very general description of the plan. If the Town has a population of less than 50,000, the amount of money received cannot exceed 75% of the Town’s most recent budget. The federal government will distribute the funds in two equal installments over two years. American Rescue Plan Summary

Funds may be used to provide government services impacted by a reduction in revenue resulting from the pandemic; investments in water, sewer, or broadband infrastructure; response to the COVID-19 health emergency or its negative economic impacts; and certain employee premium pay. The monies may not used to cover pension costs, and there is a deadline of December 31, 2024, to spend the funds.  

Other meeting items: 

Residents Allison Webinaro and Lauren Prue expressed interest in conducting a Sunday afternoon summertime town market at Heyworth Mason Park. Vendors would sell hand-made and home-grown things. Supervisor McDonald indicated that the Planning Board would have to approve the proposal. While McDonald and other Board members reacted favorably, they perceived adequate parking to be the primary issue. McDonald indicated that vendors would have to park distant from the park and be responsible for removing any trash. The Board will discuss the matter at an April meeting. Counselors must approve the general concept before the Planning Board places it on its May agenda. 

The Board approved its Public Employer Health Emergency Plan. New York State recently required that every local government publish and submit its plan to react to personnel shortages during such emergencies as a COVID pandemic. 

The Board will meet with engineers at an April 26, 5 p.m. workshop to discuss upgrades at the Valcour sewer plant. 

Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell stated that NYS had released the highway improvement monies (CHIPS) that it withheld last year. Peru will be receiving $222,079.79. The funds are primarily used for highway paving. 

Farrell also reported that the Highway Department is gearing up for its annual street sweeping and paving operations. He advised residents to move sand, etc., to the roadside as soon as possible. His clean-up crew will be moving fast. 

The Board approved hiring a Water-Sewer Department seasonal worker at a $14 per hour rate. The Town had advertised the job but at a lesser rate of pay with little response. 

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Source: New Land Trust

Peru Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell reports that the Highway Department is gearing up for its annual street sweeping and paving operations. He advised residents to move sand etc. to the roadside as soon as possible. His clean-up crew will be moving fast. He hopes to start in the hamlet next week. More information will follow later in the week.