The Peru Gazette

Source: Correctional officers speak about escape from Dannemora for 1st time

By John T. Ryan

“Lock your stuff up!” Those were the words of Peru Town Supervisor Brandy McDonald at the November 25th town board meeting. McDonald cited 27 break-ins in Peru and nearby towns over the past week and one-half. In Peru most burglaries have been in the hamlet and at homes north of the hamlet. Garages, homes and vehicles have all been entered. McDonald said security videos indicate that both young men and older adults appear to be the perpetrators.

The regular meeting of the Peru Town Board was held on Thursday November 14, 2019 at the Peru Town Hall.  Those present were Mr. Brandy McDonald Supervisor; Mr. James Douglass, Councilman; Mr. James Langley, Councilman; Mr. Melvin Irwin, Councilman; Mr. Richard Barber;Councilman, Mrs. Dianne Miller, Town Clerk.  Also present were Mr. Courtney Tetrault, Water/Sewer Superintendent; Mr. Michael Farrell, Highway Superintendent; Mr. Bob Guynup, Zoning Officer; Ms. Pamela Barber, Confidential Secretary to the Board and Mr. Dave Drollette, Dog Control officer. 

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by Mr. McDonald, with the Pledge of Allegiance.  

Motion by Mr. Douglass; seconded by Mr. Barber to approve the minutes from the October 28, 2019 Town Board Regular meeting.

Motion by Mr. Barber; seconded by Mr. Irwin to approve the minutes from the Public Hearing on November 7, 2019.

Ayes 5   Nays 0 Motion Carried

Motion by Mr. Langley; seconded by Mr. Irwin to include 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).  

 Ayes 5   Nays 0 Motion Carried

Community Input and Questions

NONE Read more »

A Special Meeting of the Peru Town Board was held on November 18, 2019 at the Peru Town Hall.  Those present were Mr. Brandy McDonald Supervisor; Mr. James Douglass, Councilman; Mr. James Langley, Councilman-(Absent); Mr. Melvin Irwin, Councilman; Mr. Richard Barber Jr, Councilman; and Mrs. Dianne Miller, Town Clerk.  Also present Ms. Pamela Barber, Secretary to the Board .

The meeting was called to order at 6:11 PM by Mr. McDonald, with the Pledge of Allegiance.  

The purpose of the Special Meeting was Final Review and Adoption of the 2020 Final Budget.

A RESOLUTION TO ADOPT THE TOWN OF PERU 2020 FINAL                                                 

                                                           BUDGET

RESOLUTION NUMBER: 19.11.18-1

MOTIONED BY:  Mr. Douglass                                SECONDED BY: Mr. Irwin

WHEREAS, The Tentative Budget for the Year 2020  has been duly presented to the Town Board by the Budget Officer, and a duly publicized public hearing was held on the 7th day of November, 2019 at 6:00PM on the Preliminary Budget prepared by the Town Board; and

WHEREAS, all persons desiring to be heard were heard; now therefore be it

RESOLVED, that pursuant to Section 109 of the Town Law of the State of New York, the Town Board of the Town of Peru hereby

ADOPTS  the Preliminary Budget as the Final Budget for the Town of Peru for the Year 2020. 

CARRIED:       4 YES         0  NO

ADOPTED BY THE TOWN BOARD ON:  November 18, 2019

CERTIFIED BY: ___________________________ ___________________________

Brandy McDonald, Supervisor Dianne Miller, Town Clerk

Motion by Mr. Barber;  seconded by Mr. Irwin to adjourn Special Meeting at 6:14 PM.

Ayes 4 Nays 0                                                      Motion Carried

_________________________Supervisor  _________________________Councilman

_________________________Councilman _________________________Councilman

_________________________Councilman

A Public Hearing of the Peru Town Board was held on Thursday November 14, 2019 at the Peru Town Hall.  Those present were Mr. Brandy McDonald, Supervisor; Mr. James Douglass, Councilman Mr. James Langley-Excused, Mr. Melvin Irwin, Councilman; Councilman; Mr. Richard Barber Jr. Councilman; Mrs. Dianne Miller, Town Clerk. Also present Ms. Pamela Barber, Confidential Secretary to the Board, Mr. Courtney Tetrault, Water/Sewer Superintendent; Mr. Michael Farrell, Highway Superintendent and Mr. Dave Drollette, Dog Control Officer.

The Purpose of the Public Hearing was to discuss the Valcour Sewer Rate increase. 

The Public Hearing was called to order at 6:32 PM by Mr.McDonald with the Pledge of Allegiance.  

Motion by Mr. Barber, seconded by Mr. Douglass to open the Public Hearing on the Valcour Sewer Rate  increase.

Ayes 4 Nays 0 Motion Carried

Community Input and Questions

None

Motion by Mr.Irwin, seconded by Mr. Douglass to close the Public Hearing at 6:38 PM, on the Valcour Sewer Rate increase. 

 Ayes 4 Nays 0 Motion Carried

Motion by Mr.Irwin, seconded by Mr. Douglass to  adjourn the Public Hearing at 6:39 PM. 

 Ayes 4 Nays 0 Motion Carried

_________________________Supervisor  ________________________Councilman

_________________________Councilman ________________________Councilman

_________________________Councilman 

State Encourages New Yorkers to Volunteer to be “Campground Ambassadors”

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced the opening of the 2020 application period for the Campground Ambassador program. As part of the state’s Adventure NY initiative to connect more New Yorkers with the outdoors, Campground Ambassadors volunteer to assist DEC campground staff to welcome and assist the millions of visitors who vacation in the Adirondack and Catskill parks each year.

“In 2019, its second year, DEC’s Campground Ambassador Program more than doubled its applicants and grew to offer more than 300 fun, educational, and meaningful programs at nine participating facilities,” Commissioner Seggos said. “The Campground Ambassadors have been so successful that we are expanding the program to six new campgrounds in 2020, providing even more opportunities to introduce new visitors to DEC facilities and activities and offering fun and exciting programming for campers.”

DEC is encouraging New Yorkers with a passion for camping and the outdoors to help introduce new campers to DEC facilities and other outdoor activities. Ambassadors also aid in connecting campers and day users to nature through environmentally themed activities and programming.

Ambassadors will serve for two weeks, between July 1 and Labor Day. In consideration for services provided, a campsite will be provided for the duration of their stay at one of the following participating locations:

Catskills

Kenneth L. Wilson Campground and Day Use Area

Little Pond Campground and Day Use Area (new for 2020)

North South Lake Campground and Day Use Area

Adirondacks

Ausable Point Campground and Day Use Area (new for 2020) Read more »

From the office of Congresswoman Elise Stefanik

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik’s legislation, the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commemorative Coin Act, was signed into law by President Trump. This bill was introduced along with Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence (D-MI-14) in May of this year, and passed by the House of Representatives last month. The companion bill in the Senate, led by Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), was passed by the Senate shortly after. This legislation authorizes the Department of Treasury to mint 400,000 $1 silver coins in 2020 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage and ensures that the suffragists who dedicated their lives to fighting for women’s fundamental right to vote are celebrated throughout the United States. Read more »

Source: Landlords can’t discriminate against renters paying with government assistance | NCPR News

North Country Chamber Encourages Visitors and Locals to #ShopSmall on November 30th 

Plattsburgh, NY – It’s no secret that the weekend following Thanksgiving is one of the year’s busiest for shopping in the U.S. There’s Black Friday for the go-getters who set their alarms and camp outside big box stores in the wee hours of the morning. There’s Cyber Monday for shoppers still nursing their turkey comas, preferring to browse from the comfort of their living room couches. And then there’s that Saturday, which since 2010 has been reserved for shoppers looking to actively support local businesses in their communities. November 30th marks the 10th annual Small Business Saturday founded by American Express and, as a neighborhood champion for this day, the North Country Chamber of Commerce encourages you to #shopsmall! 

Over 50 local businesses have signed up for the Chamber’s FREE Small Business Saturday campaign this year, offering deals and discounts for shoppers to take advantage of on November 30th. To add a little extra challenge and some friendly competition, the Chamber created the Small Business Saturday Scavenger Hunt. 

Here’s how it works: 

1. Download the Scavenger Hunt at northcountrychamber.com/sbs, pick it up at the Chamber’s outdoor kiosk or at any of the participating businesses. 

2. Check out the list of participating small businesses at northcountrychamber.com/sbs. 

3. Get out on November 30th and start snapping photos at participating businesses using the following categories listed on the Scavenger Hunt! 

4. Tag the North Country Chamber and SCORE Mentors – Clinton, Franklin, Essex in all photos on Facebook and/or Instagram to get your points. 

5. Get 10+ points and return the sheet to the North Country Chamber of Commerce (7061 State Route 9, Plattsburgh) by December 6th to be entered to win some awesome, local products! 

You can join in the fun on social media using the hashtag #ncshopsmall. So visit northcountrychamber.com/sbs for a list of participating #shopsmall businesses and get your shopping 

Source: Dannemora man arrested for tampering with tree stand

WE’RE ALL SET – to hold our annual Holiday Open House on Saturday, December 7th, and Sunday, December 8th, from 10 am to 3 pm each day.

Excellent job by NBC 5. Includes 3 video reports on 3 aspects of the CBP Mission.

Source: Protecting the border: Exclusive access to CBP operations on northern border

Source: US Officials: Don’t Eat Romaine Lettuce Grown in Salinas, Calif. – NBC 10 Philadelphia

Photo L-R Back Row: Peru Intermediate School Nurse Linda Delong, Peru Knights of Columbus Council 7273 Grand Knight Keith Kemp, Principal Matt Slattery. Front Row: Denton Martineau and Andreana Leclair

By John T. Ryan

Peru – On Wednesday, November 20th, St. Augustine’s Knights of Columbus Council 7273 Grand Knight Keith Kemp presented twenty-four new children’s winter jackets to Peru Intermediate School Nurse Linda Delong and Prinicpal Matt Slattery. Intermediate School students Denton Martineau and Andreana Martineau were kind enought to model the jackets. School nurses will give the jackets to students as the need arises. Since 2013 the Peru Knights have brought 168 new winter jackets to Peru Central.

Source: The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train brings Christmas cheer to Upstate NY – syracuse.com

Thanks to Luke and Amanda LaFountain Thew for this report and photos from Ithaca:

Peru Lady Indians swimmers (Emily McLane, Ella Garrow, Alexis Hathaway, and Olivia Barnett) just broke a 19 year school and Section 7 record in the 200 freestyle relay at States with a time of 1:44.07!

KONICA MINOLTA DIGITAL CAMERA

KONICA MINOLTA DIGITAL CAMERA

PLATTSBURGH, NY – The Strand Center for the Arts is excited to announce photographer Ron Nolland as the featured artist in their Gallery Cooperative in December 2019. This forthcoming exhibit will take place in The Strand Center Community Gallery on Friday, December 6 and a free reception will be held from 5:30-7:30 PM that night. 

The Gallery Cooperative is a collection of artists, each expert at their chosen medium. This means that as well as the featured artist, Ron Nolland, painters Marilyn Kretser, Donna Austin, Lynn Manning, Diane Leifheit, Gordon LeClair, Judy Guglielmo, and the Strand Center Watercolorists will be present. In addition, these artists will be joined by ceramicist Nancy Armitage and work from the S. Booker Collection.

Photographer Ron Nolland, the Cooperative’s featured artist, is a constant exhibitor in Strand Center Member shows and all the Off-Site Galleries. Nolland’s solo shows at local galleries are always well received and he is regularly selected for juried exhibitions. His work is also featured at Plattsburgh International Airport, and a permanent collection at Inn at Smithfield Best Western includes black and white pieces in the Conference Room and large color landscapes in the hotel lobby.  Nolland’s photography was recently featured in Blueline, an Adirondack literary magazine.  An Adirondack Life Photography Contest Award Winner, Nolland also provides custom photography and exclusive pieces for clients. 

Concerning Nolland’s photography, gallery director David Monette stated, “Ron’s work explores nature in unique ways. He’s constantly looking to find hidden patterns and details in the natural world, to find more than originally meets the eye. It’s great to have his work in our Cooperative along with our other amazing artists.”

This unique exhibit will be on view in The Strand Center Community Gallery at 23 Brinkerhoff Street in Plattsburgh from December 6 to December 27, 2019. The exhibition opening is Friday, December 6 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. This event is free to the public and refreshments will be served. Regular gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday from 10 am to 5 pm and Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm. For more information on these exhibits, upcoming events, concerts, or classes happening at The Strand Center for the Arts, please call 518-563-1604 or visit strandcenter.org. 

By John T. Ryan

Peru – Luck Brothers Inc. personnel are working on the Patent Rd. culvert today.  An excavator is making room for precast concrete footers. Next week the precast culvert should be delivered and installed. A large highway sink hole developed last April making the repairs necessary. 

On September 23, 2019 the Peru Town Board awarded the contract to the low bidder Luck Brothers at $120,480. The job  includes excavation, installation of a new open bottom culvert, restoration of site, and paving.

The Town purchased the culvert at a cost of $143,500. Total cost: $263,980 not including the temporary repairs already performed.

From the office of Assemblyman D. Billy Jones

Assemblyman D. Billy Jones will host the 6th Annual Santa Sprint 5K on Saturday November 30, 2019 with a race start time at 9am. Pre-registration is $20 and can be done online at www.adirondackcoastevents.com. Same day registration will be held from 7:30am until 8:30am. Race start and end will be held at “Latitude 45” Montgomery Street, Rouses Point, NY. Same day registration is $25.

Source: CNY law enforcement sound alarm on justice reform: Flawed, dangerous, insane – syracuse.com

Source: Big Ag Sale: Is There a Market for a $23 Million Vermont Dairy Farm? | Business | Seven Days | Vermont’s Independent Voice

L-R Nicole Prentiss, Maggie Pope, Sarah Sherman

By John T. Ryan

Keeseville – Keeseville residents were shocked when they learned TD Bank would close its local branch on November 15th. Only an ATM remains; however, there was good news on November 13th when the Peru Federal Credit Union (PFCU) opened at 187 Pleasant St. Why establish a new branch when another institution is closing its doors? PFCU’s CEO /Manager Maggie Pope explained, “We understand that small communities need a financial institution. Many people are still looking for person to person contact. Our motto has always been ‘People Serving People.’”

NOVEMBER 25, 2019 @ 7:00 PM

Call Meeting To Order

Pledge of Allegiance

Roll Call

MOTION: Approval of Minutes for the Town Board Regular Meeting and Public Hearing of November 14, 2019 and Special Meeting of November 18, 2019.

Community Input.

RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Removal of Private Right of Way for Stewart Drive.

RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: School House Wood Work Quote Approval.

RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Reappoint Deborah Witherwax to the Board of Assessment Review.

DISCUSSION: Sewer Collection Project Update

DISCUSSION: Other Business.

DISCUSSION: Public Comments on Agenda Items Only.

RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Pay Bills

MOTION: Adjourn

From the office Congresswoman Elise Stefanik

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Elise Stefanik has announced a United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) Airport Improvement Program grant totaling $727,000 will be awarded to the Massena International Airport. The Airport Improvement Program provides grants to public agencies for the planning and development of public-use airports. The funding will be used to construct a new airport apron at Massena International. Read more »