The Peru Gazette

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Elise Stefanik announced that her bipartisan legislation, the Veteran Treatment Court Coordination Act, was signed into law by President Trump this past weekend. The Veteran Treatment Court Coordination Act gives veterans who commit non-violent crimes while transitioning to civilian life a chance at rehabilitation. It establishes a program within the Department of Justice, in coordination with the VA, to provide grants, training, and technical assistance to help state, local, and tribal governments develop and maintain veteran treatment courts. This legislation was reintroduced last January and was passed by the House last fall.

“Our veterans deserve the best possible treatment when they return home from serving our country, and the resources made available to them under this law will work towards developing and expanding support programs for them,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “Due to the psychological impact and the stressors of their service, some veterans become entangled in the criminal justice system. This important legislation provides non-violent offenders a chance to take action and rehabilitate themselves through a special program that is more tailored to meet veterans’ unique needs. I am very proud to have introduced and advocated for this legislation through the House, and it was a victory for our veterans this weekend when President Trump signed this into law. I will continue to be an outspoken advocate for our veterans and for essential programs and initiatives that support them.”

Source: 107 New York school districts didn’t submit COVID-19 plans. Or did they?

Peru School Superintendent Dr. Thomas Palmer commented: 

 Source: Peru super: District submitted reopening plans to NYSED, DOH | Coronavirus | pressrepublican.com

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Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Stefanik and Congressman Delgado (D-NY) introduced the Protecting Rural Access to Care Act, legislation to ensure financially vulnerable rural hospitals are not at-risk of losing their Critical Access Hospital designation over an administrative policy change. The Critical Access Hospital designation provides hospitals enhanced reimbursement rates to keep essential healthcare services in rural communities.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has presented all of our North Country hospitals with challenges, but the challenges our rural hospitals face are unique,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation to ensure rural hospitals do not lose their Critical Access Hospital designation, which provides a financial lifeline for hospitals to maintain essential healthcare services for patients in rural communities. I’ve worked directly with CMS on this issue and am glad they have paused recertifications to review their policy change, however our rural hospitals need certainty during this unprecedented time. I am the number one advocate for our North Country hospitals and will continue to work and advocate on their behalf to meet the unique challenges they face.”

“As rural hospitals continue to struggle and close across the country, the National Rural Health Association strongly supports this bill to protect Critical Access Hospitals,” said Alan Morgan, CEO, National Rural Health Association. “Ensuring that these vital hospitals are able to maintain their payment status could not be more critical during this pandemic.” Read more »

“My office continues to field dozens of phone calls and emails from concerned parents and educators regarding our regions readiness to reopen the schools. Our school districts are doing all they can to put plans in place to keep our children safe, but they need clearer guidance.  Safety remains the top priority for everyone, most importantly our children, but school districts need to know that the state will support them. The information they continue to receive from the New York State Department of Education and the Governor’s office continues to be contradictory and confusing. It is necessary that they are provided with clear guidance as well as the commitment to supply personal protective equipment to keep our students and educators safe as we begin the reopening process.”

An Emergency Meeting of the Peru Town Board was held on August 3, 2020 at the Peru Town Hall.  Those present were Mr. Brandy McDonald, Supervisor; Excused, Mr. James Douglass, Deputy Supervisor; Mr. Richard Barber, Councilman; Mr. Kregg Bruno, Councilman; Mr. Mel Irwin, Councilman; Mrs. Dianne Miller, Town Clerk.  Also present Ms. Pamela Barber, Secretary to the Board and Mr. Michael Farrell, Highway Superintendent.

The Purpose of the Emergency Meeting was to discuss a personnel matter. The majority of discussion will take place during an executive session.

The Emergency Meeting was called to order at 5:31 PM by Mr. Douglass, with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Motion by Mr. Irwin; seconded by Mr. Barber to go into Executive Session at 5:32 PM

to discuss a personnel issue. Action will be taken.

Ayes 4 Nays 0                                                                                             Motion Carried

Motion by Mr. Bruno; seconded by Mr. Barber to return to Emergency Meeting at 5:43 PM.

Ayes 4 Nays 0                                                                                            Motion Carried

Discussion/ Resolution: Accept Covid-19 Policy

Mr. Provost asked if he would have to quarantine driving though “hot” states. Mr. Favro answered yes. He stated he had done research and wanted confirmation that all Town employees would have to quarantine if they had any contact with the “hot“ states. The board assured him all town employees would have to follow the policy. He was satisfied knowing that the Board would enforce the policy the same for all employees with no exceptions.

A RESOLUTION TO ADOPT THE TOWN OF PERU’S EMPLOYEE TRAVEL POLICY IN REGARD TO THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC. Read more »

Clinton County Health Department’s COVID-19 case updates.

As the North County continues to reopen and more residents are returning to work and school, it is important that we continue to practice everyday safety measures. Avoiding gatherings, wearing face coverings, maintaining physical distance (at least 6 feet) from others, and washing our hands frequently is how we remain open and stop the spread of COVID-19. Our community members have been AMAZING partners to this point, and working together is the best way to move forward.

By John T. Ryan

The Peru Town Board meeting of Monday, August 10th, was a relatively brief 33-minute meeting.

The Board:

• Approved changing Code Enforcement office hours on days when either Zoning Board of Appeals or Planning Board meetings are scheduled. The office will be open from 11:30 a.m. until the 7 p.m. meetings. These hours better coordinate with board meetings and employee work hours.
• Scheduled a public hearing on a local law to regulate solar farm development for 5:45 p.m. on Monday, September 14th.
• Met with Northern Blacktopping representative Corey Trombley regarding the color and design of the plaza area in front of the Town Hall. Northern Blacktopping won the bid to pave the area.  Trombley said the asphalt coloring should be bright for at least six years and remain attractive for several years after that. The pavers that were installed only six years ago have deteriorated badly.

In other items:

Water Sewer Superintendent Courtney Tetrault reported that recent high winds dislodged Sprint Corporation’s antenna from the water tower. The Town realizes approximately $30,000 annually by leasing antenna space on the water tower.

Tetrault’s staff installed an additional light at the Sullivan Park skating rink.

Installation of an emergency generator at the Town Hall is awaiting the arrival of an NYSEG gas engineer.

NYSEG has not indicated when it will be installing the hamlet’s new 4k LED street lights.

Click here to review department July reports

The meeting adjourned at 6:34 p.m.

Businesses are applying Source: Slow start for New York’s $100 million small businesses loan program | CSNY

Substantial Recovery from March 31 Fiscal Year-End

The New York State Common Retirement Fund’s (Fund) estimated return in the first quarter of the State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2020-21 was 10.35 percent for the three-month period ending June 30, 2020, with an estimated value of $216.3 billion, according to New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

“One of the strongest rebounds in modern history lifted the Fund’s value well above what it was at the close of the state fiscal year and restored most of the losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” DiNapoli said. “Until there is a solution to the global public health crisis, market volatility and uncertainty will continue. We manage New York state’s pension fund to withstand tough challenges. That’s why the Fund remains one of the nation’s strongest, providing retirement security to our 1.1 million working and retired members and their beneficiaries.”

The Fund’s estimated value reflects benefits of $3.34 billion paid out during the quarter. Its audited value as of fiscal year-end March 31, 2020, was $194.3 billion.

As of June 30, 2020, the Fund had 53.0 percent of its assets invested in publicly traded equities. The remaining Fund assets by allocation are invested in cash, bonds and mortgages (23.2 percent), private equity (9.6 percent), real estate and real assets (8.7 percent) and credit, absolute return strategies and opportunistic alternatives (5.5 percent).

The Fund remains one of the nation’s strongest public pension funds. Pew Charitable Trusts’ latest analysis of state pension funds, based on 2018 data, ranked the Fund as the second best funded in the nation.

DiNapoli initiated quarterly investment performance reporting in 2009 as part of his ongoing efforts to increase accountability and transparency. Quarterly rates of return provide a snapshot of performance over three months and reflect a fraction of the Fund’s annual investment return.

About the New York State Common Retirement Fund, The New York State Common Retirement Fund is the third-largest public pension fund in the United States. The Fund holds and invests the assets of the New York State and Local Retirement System on behalf of more than one million state and local government employees and retirees and their beneficiaries. The Fund has consistently been ranked as one of the best managed and best-funded plans in the nation. The Fund’s fiscal year ends March 31.

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Find out how your government money is spent at Open Book New York. Track municipal spending, the state’s 170,000 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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