The Peru Gazette

The regular meeting of the Peru Town Board was held on Monday, September 14, 2020, at the Peru Town Hall.  Those present were Mr. Brandy McDonald, Supervisor; Mr. Richard Barber, Councilman; Mr. Kregg Bruno, Councilman; Mr. James Douglass, Councilman; Mr. Mel Irwin, Councilman; Mr. Matt Favro; Town Attorney,  Mrs. Dianne Miller, Town Clerk and Ms. Pamela Barber, Confidential Secretary to the Board. Also present, Also present were Mr. Courtney Tetrault, Water/Sewer Superintendent; Mr. Bob Guynup, Zoning Officer, Mr. Mike Farrell, Highway Superintendent and Mr. Dave Drollette, Dog Control Officer. 

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM by Mr. McDonald, with the Pledge of Allegiance.  

Motion by Mr. Barber; seconded  by Mr. Irwin to accept  the reports from the following departments into the official record of tonight’s meeting.  (Water/Sewer/Valcour; Highway; Town Clerk; Dog Control; Youth Department; Code/Zoning; Supervisor’s Report; Court; Website; and Banking Reports). NO JCEO REPORT 

Mr. Irwin asked if no JCEO reports  was going to continue.

Mr. McDonald stated he would follow up and find out why the reports are not being submitted.

 Ayes 5  Nays  0                                                                         Motion Carried 

Motion by Mr. Bruno seconded by Mr. Barber to accept the minutes from the August 24, 2020 Regular Meeting.

Ayes 5 Nays 0                                                                                                 Motion Carried

 Community Input

NONE

 Computer Policy

Mr. McDonald stated Primelink will be meeting with Department heads to discuss the updated computer policies. Department heads will then have meetings with their staff.  Each employee will be required to sign the policy.

RESOLUTION NUMBER: 20.09.14-1

PASSING OF LOCAL LAW #1 OF 2020 PROVIDING FOR SOLAR ENERGY.

MOTION BY: Mr. Bruno                            SECONDED BY: Mr. Douglass

WHEREAS, a public hearing having been held on the proposed Local Law on September14, 2020; and

WHEREAS, the Board has before it the proposed Local Law,

NOW BE IT RESOLVED that Local Law #1 of 2020 “Solar Energy” is hereby adopted.

Discussion:

Carried:   Ayes 5 Nays 0

RESOLUTION NUMBER: 20.09.14-2

A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE TOWN’S SLUDGE REMOVAL AGREEMENT WITH NEW ENGLAND WASTE SERVICES OF ME, INC. (DBA CASELLA ORGANICS) SECOND AMENDMENT DATED SEPTEMBER 14, 2020 AND EXTENDING THE CONTRACT THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2021 AND AUTHORIZING THE SUPERVISOR TO EXECUTE THE SAME.

Motion:   Mr. Bruno                                                 Second: Mr. Irwin

WHEREAS, the Town Board has the second amendment to the agreement  before it between the Town of  Peru and NEWS of  ME, Inc. for the removal of the Town’s Sewer Plant sludge at a base rate of $79.00 per wet ton of residuals removed and  landfill fees of $103.00 per wet ton; and

WHEREAS, The agreement has been extended through September 14, 2021,

THEREFORE, BE IT

RESOLVED, said proposed agreement is approved and the Supervisor be and hereby is authorized to execute said agreement.

AND, BE IT RESOLVED, that this Resolution shall take effect immediately.

Mr. Tetrault explained this was an annual renewal contract with amendment of $3.00 increase per wet ton of residuals removed. He stated drying out the residual before going decreases the weight. A larger building for the residuals to dry out is being considered.

Carried: Ayes 5 Nays 0

Planning Board Meeting Start Time Change

Mr. Guynup stated the members would like to change their meeting start time to 6 P.M.

Mr. Favro stated according to Planning Board by laws the amendment to change time must take place in December. 

RESOLUTION NUMBER: 20.09.14-3  

A RESOLUTION TO REAPPOINT ROY PERRY TO THE BOARD OF ASSESSMENT REVIEW FOR ANOTHER FIVE-YEAR TERM.

MOTION:  Mr. Douglass                                                   SECOND:  Mr. Bruno

WHEREAS, Upon the recommendation of the Clinton County Assessor, Jeremiah Cross, that Roy Perry be reappointed to the Board of Assessment Review (BAR) for a five year term beginning October 1, 2020 and expiring September 30, 2025. 

WHEREAS, the Town Board agrees with this recommendation and is hereby reappointing Roy Perry to the Board of Assessment Review.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT 

RESOLVED, that this Resolution shall take effect immediately.

Carried: Ayes 5 Nays 0

RESOLUTION NUMBER: 20.09.14-4

A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TOWN OF PERU AND THE ADIRONDACK PARK LOCAL GOVERNMENT REVIEW BOARD AND AUTHORIZING THE SUPERVISOR TO EXECUTE THE SAME.

Motion: Mr. Bruno                                                                 Second:  Mr. Barber

WHEREAS, the Town Board has the agreement before it between the Town of Peru and The Adirondack Park Local Government Review Board; and

WHEREAS, Adirondack town and village funding of the Adirondack Park Local Government Review Board has been instrumental in helping the Adirondack communities by providing strong, unified and effective representation on Adirondack policy issues, and

WHEREAS, The agreement has  authorized an appropriation in the amount of Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00) for the services of the Review Board in representing the Town in matters relating to the Adirondack Park.

THEREFORE, BE IT

RESOLVED, said proposed agreement is approved and the Supervisor be and hereby is authorized to execute said agreement.

AND, BE IT RESOLVED, that this Resolution shall take effect immediately.

Mr. Bruno questioned if the agreement was necessary. Mr. Favro stated the importance of this Review Board as a liaison for our town if needed.

Carried: Ayes 5 Nays 0

Sewer Project Update

Mr. Tetrault stated extra surveying is completed at the Peru Community Church property. The stakes have been set at the church as requested.

Greg Swart was having much better communication with New York State  D.O.T.;  3 crosswalks will be affected instead of 1. The bid is still scheduled to go out in October.

Ms. Barber stated the town and church has received the easements from NYSEG to be signed.

Other Business

Mr. Barber speaking for Mr. Flynn stated the volleyball area is close to completion. There will be 11 players for each soccer team with only 7 players on the field at a time.

Mr. McDonald stated strict guidelines for parents and players to play. Each parent will sign a guideline agreement.

Fuel usage has been all retrieved by Primelink. Carlene will be inputting all data and reloading keys for fuel pumps.

Planning Board meetings will continue with Zoom meetings.

Mr. Tetrault stated a unit to remove chlorine at Valcour station will be purchased in October with funds from the Lake Champlain Basin Grant. Water meters will be read starting September 17, 2020

Mr. Farrell confirmed after meeting with D.E.C. a bridge on Telegraph Road is a definite.

Mr. Drollette stated another dog bite. Dog will be euthanized September 17, 2020

Ms. Barber stated a check was received in the amount of $ 149.00 from New York Municipal Insurance Reciprocal for 50% of remaining capital to NYMIR. Another check in the amount of  $ 225.00 was received from  the Diversion Management program.  This program offers alternatives for alleged first time, non-violent and tobacco offenders.

Motion by Mr. Bruno; seconded by Mr. Barber to change the Water/Sewer Budget workshop on September 16, 2020 and reschedule September 30, 2020.

Ayes 5 Nays 0

Mr. Tetrault asked for the employee handbook and “step” program (hourly wages) be updated.

Mr. Barber stated the monument on Route 9 owned by D.A.R. will be moved to the Peru Dock. Our town has no ownership of the monument.

Mr. Ryan asked why the Army Corp of Engineers and the D.E.C. did not meet together. Mr. Farrell stated that is not how it is done. Mr. Farrell did say it would be much easier.

Public Comments on Agenda Items Only

NONE

RESOLUTION NUMBER:  20.09.14-5

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE POST-AUDIT PAYMENT OF CERTAIN CLAIMS, BILLS AND INVOICES OF THE TOWN

MOTION: Mr. Bruno                                                         SECOND:  Mr. Irwin

WHEREAS, the Town Board has reviewed and audited the following claims, bills and invoices for services rendered and goods provided to the Town in August 2020:

From Town of Peru Vouchers in August 2020; #202000924  through and including #202000999,

Abstract dated  September 11, 2020

For the dollar amount totaling: $176,535.82 , of that, $15,338.51  was wired, credit cards and prepaid; and $161,197.31  is remaining to be paid and

WHEREAS, the Town Board finds said claims, bills and invoices to be acceptable in form and reasonable in amount;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT

RESOLVED, that payment of the aforementioned claims, bills and invoices is approved and the Supervisor be and hereby is authorized to make such payment; and be it further

RESOLVED, that this Resolution shall take effect immediately.

Carried: Ayes 5 Nays 0 

Motion by Mr. Douglass; seconded by Mr. Barber to adjourn the regular meeting at 7:08 PM.

Ayes 5 Nays 0                                                                                                 Motion Carried

_________________________Supervisor        _________________________Councilman

_________________________Councilman       _________________________Councilman

_________________________Councilman       

Peru – St. Augustine’s Knights of Columbus Council 7273 host a take-out spaghetti dinner on Saturday, Oct. 10, at the St. Augustine’s Parish Center. Regular & gluten-free spaghetti, salad & bread. Served TAKE-OUT ONLY from 4:30 to 6:00 PM for only $8 per person. This will be the Knight’s first-fundraiser since the pandemic began. They need your help to assist St. Augustine’s Parish and the local community. 

Here are today’s Clinton County COVID-19 case updates. No additional lab-confirmed positive cases reported today. One individual moved to recovered category. Currently 6 active cases of COVID-19 in Clinton County.

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From the office of Congresswoman Elise Stefanik

Washington, D.C.  – Today, the China Task Force, of which Congresswoman Elise Stefanik is a member of, released their final report. After months of both classified and unclassified briefings with over 130 experts on China, national security officials, and leaders in emerging technology and business. The final report includes 82 key findings and more than 400 recommendations for a path forward in dealing with the malign activities of the Communist Party of China. Many of Congresswoman Stefanik’s submitted recommendations were incorporated directly into the final report.

You can find the report here.

“China poses the most significant national security and geopolitical threat to the United States in the 21st Century, and their intentional cover-up of the COVID-19 virus has awoken the world to the dangers they pose,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “I’m proud that many of my direct recommendations are included in this final report, which will provide an important path forward in addressing the threat posed by China. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, I’ve been very active in working on legislation to hold China accountable for their egregious cover-up which led to continued massive loss of life across the globe. I will continue working with my colleagues to ensure they are brought to justice.”

• Stefanik cosponsors legislation to protect covid-19 vaccine development from hackers
• Stefanik sends letter to Sec. Pompeo and AG Barr urging them to bring China to the ICJ
• Stefanik, Hawley introduce bicameral resolution to hold China accountable for coronavirus coverup
• Stefanik cosponsors legislation to move American pharmaceutical production out of China
• Stefanik, Gonzalez introduce Chinese Research Funds Accounting Act
• Stefanik cosponsors Transparency in Chinese Government Investment Act

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From the North Country Chamber of Commerce

Empire State Development (ESD) today announced that Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) recipients are now eligible to receive low-interest loans from the New York Forward Loan Fund (NYFLF). This conditional change will provide the Fund’s network of lenders and financial institutions with greater flexibility and enable them to provide more small businesses with working capital to cover expenses associated with reopening.

When the NYFLF launched in May, the federal Small Business Administration had just issued rules regarding companies’ eligibility for federal assistance. The goal of the NYFLF was to help New York-based small businesses that did not receive PPP funding with flexible working capital to reopen and adapt to post-COVID needs. Companies with 20 employees or less make up 90% of New York’s business community, and it was critical to provide a funding lifeline to those businesses shut out of federal assistance.

However, some NYFLF applicants who needed assistance were deemed ineligible because they had already received PPP funds. Through discussions with lenders and applicants, it became apparent that PPP loans did not go far enough to support New York-based small businesses. Legislative criteria restricted how the government assistance could be spent, and oftentimes PPP amounts were a fraction of what was needed and requested.

Starting today, NYFLF Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) will contact previously ineligible applicants to determine if they are still interested in funding and begin the underwriting process. This is limited to small businesses that received $50,000 or less in PPP assistance. The fund is prepared to process the new applications from this change while also working with existing applicants. Small businesses that did not receive any federal assistance are still eligible and encouraged to apply. Additionally, the program goal of providing at least 60% of loans to Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs) remains, and that goal will not change due to the newly-expanded eligibility.

Eligible small businesses and small residential landlords can apply for a 60-month, no-fee loan with a 3% fixed interest rate; while eligible non-profits can apply for a 60-month, no-fee loan at 2% fixed interest. The maximum loan amount is $100,000. Loan funds can be used for working capital including payroll, operating and emergency maintenance, property taxes, utilities and costs associated with refitting physical space to follow social distancing guidelines. More information is available online at nyloanfund.com.

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