The Peru Gazette

Source: Burlington deputy chief gets 8-day suspension for anonymous social media activity – VTDigger

Source: Assemblyman Reilly to introduce legislative package to fix new bail reform laws – silive.com

Source: Hunter Church’s team wins United States’ first bobsled medal since 2017

Dear Editor,

Living in the North Country all of our lives, we have experienced many situations which our neighbors helped us and we helped them.  These needs have grown throughout the years and there are many families still struggling in everyday life.  One way that both of us help out our neighbors is by donating to the United Way.

The United Way campaign is one of the easiest ways to give back to our community.  When you give to the United Way, 100% of the funds raised stay within Clinton, Essex and Franklin Counties. You can designate your donation to any of the 40 + partner agencies.

The 2020 United Way campaign is an invitation for everyone to join the Live United Movement by giving, advocating and volunteering to improve our communities. Every donation is valued and makes a difference.

When you volunteer, you give the gift of YOU! Give an hour. Give a Saturday. Give your best.  We all have special talents that can be of help.  Whether it’s reading to children or delivering meals to homebound seniors, there are hundreds of volunteer opportunities available every day.

If you have a United Way campaign at your workplace, please support it and remember that it is to value your community of your friends, family and co-workers. If you don’t have an employee campaign but would like to give to United Way of the Adirondack Region, Inc, please call 518-563-0028. You can also visit our website, www.unitedwayadk.org, for more information on the 40 + agencies served and/or to view our campaign video.

Thank you for LIVING UNITED!

Jody Carpenter Tammy Menard

Morrisonville, NY Morrisonville, NY

NYS Comptroller Audit Results

Town of Canton – Compensation and Benefits (St. Lawrence County)

The Supervisor re-allocated and collected additional salaries for bookkeeping duties totaling $73,794 from April 2015 through August 2017 without board authorization. In August 2017, he reimbursed the town for these extra payments and the town paid $58,858 to the supervisor’s wife for services she provided during this period. The board also did not authorize salaries paid to officers and employees totaling $145,671 or certain health insurance benefits provided by the town.

Source: DiNapoli: Medicaid Audits Find Nearly $800 Million in Savings and Revenue

Source: Cuomo amends marijuana legalization plan, but not enough yet for lawmakers – The Buffalo News

Source: Adirondack Council Reviews Gov’s Budget Plans – – The Adirondack Almanack

Source: Is UVM Health Network consolidation raising health care prices? – VTDigger

L-R Sheriff Dave Favro and Assemblyman Bill Jones

Many agencies were represented

By John T. Ryan

Plattsburgh – The New York State’s bail reform that took effect this year has serious implications. At a news conference in Plattsburgh today Assemblyman Billy Jones explained, “I’m trying to make changes because it’s a public safety issue. We don’t want a criminal act that can be avoided.”

Jones’ remarks followed a meeting with local law enforcement officials. While several other states have limited the use of cash bail, New York abolished bail for many crimes and didn’t give judges discretion to hold a person whom they believe may pose a threat to pubic safety. Since January 1st judges are no longer able to set bail for many misdemeanors and nonviolent felonies, including stalking, assault without serious injury, burglary, many drug offenses, some kinds of arson and robbery.

Source: RAMP provides support to local graduates | Local News | pressrepublican.com

Source: Returning to Auschwitz: Holocaust survivor from Plattsburgh travels back to ‘family cemetery’ | NCPR News

Source: Strand moves forward | Local News | pressrepublican.com

Source: Back-to-Back Adirondack Rescues in the High Peaks – – The Adirondack Almanack

NOTE – CHANGE IN MEETING START TIME TO 6 PM

1. Call Meeting To Order

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Roll Call

4. MOTION:  Approval of Minutes for the Organizational Meeting and Town Board Regular Meeting of January 13, 2020.

5. Community Input

6. DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION:  Standardization of Control Systems for Water and Wastewater Systems.   

7. DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION:  Purchase of Briggs & Stratton 20KW Standby Generator and Automatic Transfer Switch for Town Hall.

8. DISCUSSION/ RESOLUTION:  Approve Amendment of Clinton County Snow & Ice Services on Peaseleeville Road.

9. DISCUSSION/ RESOLUTION:  Approve Shared Services Agreement with the Town of Ausable to Purchase 2020 K.M International Model KM 4000T Hotbox.

10. DISCUSSION/MOTION:  Sewer Project Update.

11. DISCUSSION/MOTION:  Acceptance of Internal Audit Report for Court.

12. DISCUSSION:  Other Business 

13. DISCUSSION:  Public Comments on Agenda Items Only.

14. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Pay Bills

15. DISCUSSION/MOTION:  Adjourn to Executive Session.

16. DISCUSSION/MOTION:  Return to Regular Session

MOTION:     Adjourn

Source: State Releases Ambitious Electric Vehicle Charging Station Plan – – The Adirondack Almanack

Source: Adirondack Wildlife Refuge loses state, federal permits | NCPR News

Source: Winterfest 2020 pushed back due to weather – Sun Community News & Printing

Other important topics:
Meeting time to change
$20K grant awarded
Planning and Zoning Board chairs and vice-chairs approved
Highway Dept. employee comp. time OK
Back-up generator for Town Hall

By John T. Ryan

At the Peru Town Board’s January 13, 2020 meeting Zoning Board of Appeals Liaison Rick Barber told the Board that the Zoning Board is requesting guidance on solar farm development. Developers have expressed interest in constructing solar farms at least three locations in Peru. Barber said they’re especially interested in property near 3-phase electrical lines. A solar farm proposed by the Hamilton family on the Mannix Road has already been approved. That required a use variance. The Town Board scheduled a workshop for 6:30 p.m. on February 10th to get community input and to determine the need for a solar farm ordinance.

Water/Sewer Superintendent Courtney Tetreault said the town has been awarded a Lake Champlain Basin $20,000 grant to help purchase phosphorus control at the hamlet plant and to assist with chlorine control at the Valcour plant.

The Board also:
Approved moving Town Board regular meeting times from 7 pm. to 6 p.m. The new time works better with board and staff schedules. Only two members of the general public regularly attend Town Board meetings.

Approved standardizing water and waste water control systems and power control systems with two companies. Water/Sewer control systems will be provided by Aqualogics Systems of Syracuse. Electric power systems will be provided by Kohler Inc. of Kohler, Wisconsin. Water/Sewer Superintendent Courtney Tetrault said standardization should result in reduced maintenance costs and issues.

Approved Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning Board appointments for the following volunteers and noted that volunteers are needed to serve on both boards.

Richard Williams as Planning Board Chairman
Ryan Davies as Planning Board Vice-Chairman
Jim Falvo as Zoning Board of Appeals Chairman
Sean Lukas as Zoning Board of Appeals Vice-Chairman
James Bosley as a Zoning Board of Appeals member
Bosley has is completing the term of office of a member who resigned from the board.

Scheduled a Board workshop for Monday, February 3, 2020 to discus the sewer system upgrade project.

Verbally consented to Highway Department employee compensatory time up to a maximum of 60 hours if a Highway Department employee prefers compensatory time rather than overtime pay. Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell said some employees prefer compensatory time and the Town saves overtime expense.

Approved Supervisor Brandy McDonald’s proposal to purchase a 20 k.w. gas power generator and related equipment. During a recent ice storm McDonald rented a generator from Hahn Welding to electrify the Town Hall if power went out. Counselor Rick Barber noted that the Peru Fire Department does not want to be the Command Center in emergency situations. McDonald said Peru is the only town without backup power in emergency situations. Prices will be sought from at least three vendors at a cost not to exceed $4,950. Counselor Jim Douglass said people at Apple Valley Senior Housing expressed thanks to McDonald for his offer to help people during the storm. McDonald commented that Hahn Welding notified the Town that there would be no charge for the generator rental.

Applications for Cooperative Program Due by March 25

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced that applications are available for DEC’s cooperative Day-Old Pheasant Chick Program. The program provides pheasant hunting opportunities through a partnership among DEC, hunters, 4-H youth, and interested landowners.

“For more than a century, volunteers have been raising pheasant chicks and releasing pheasants to enhance New York’s fall hunting opportunities,” Commissioner Seggos said. “Raising chicks continues to be a great way to learn about animal husbandry and wildlife management.”

The Day-Old Pheasant Chick Program began in the early 1900s. At that time, the state Conservation Department (which became DEC) distributed pheasant eggs and chicks to farmers and rural youth, and DEC continues that tradition to this day. Day-old chicks are available at no cost to participants who can provide a brooding facility, a covered outdoor rearing pen, and an adequate release site. Approved applicants will receive the day-old chicks in April, May, or June. No chicks obtained through the Day-Old Pheasant Chick Program can be released on private shooting preserves and all release sites must be approved in advance by DEC and must be open for public pheasant hunting opportunities. The program is funded through the State Conservation Fund from license fees paid by hunters, trappers, and anglers.

Applicants must provide daily care to the rapidly growing chicks, monitor the birds’ health and ensure they have adequate feed and water. The pheasants may be released beginning when they are eight weeks old and must be released no later than Dec. 1. Individuals interested in these programs should contact their nearest DEC regional office (listed below) for applications and additional information.

In 2019, DEC distributed more than 31,500 day-old pheasant chicks to qualified applicants. Applications must be filed with a DEC regional wildlife manager by March 25, 2020; see contact information below. A “Pheasant Rearing Guide” and applications are available on the DEC website.

R5 – Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Saratoga, Warren, and Washington counties:
1115 Route 86, PO Box 296
Ray Brook, NY 12977
(518) 897-1291

What:    4^th Sunday Breakfast –

Bacon, scrambled eggs, sausage gravy & biscuits, corned beef hash, pancakes or French toast, juice and coffee.

Only $10 – seconds on the house.

Where:   Peru Memorial VFW

710 Pleasant St, Peru, NY

When:   January 26^th 9 a.m. – Noon

Source: ORDA wins big in budget | Local News | pressrepublican.com