The Peru Gazette

Proposed Maplefields

Proposed Maplefields

By John T. Ryan

Investors continue to believe in Peru’s future. On Wednesday, January 8th, the Planning Board will consider two proposals that should fuel Peru’s residential and commercial growth.

The Planning Board agenda includes R.L. Vallee’s plan to replace its current Maplefields building at 654 Bear Swamp Rd. with a new building. The Town granted Vallee permission for the project in 2017, but the project was not initiated. Code Enforcement Office Bob Guynup said Vallehopes to begin this project in March 2020. The new building would double the existing square footage from 2,700 to 5,450 square feet. That’s about 1,750 square feet larger than Peru’s new Stewart’s Shop. Subway would still be located in the Maplefields building.

Joe Kelley

Peru Town Board with Tim Kelley and Mary Kelley Sharland

L-R William Russell, Peter Keenan, Justice Jim Kirby, Mary Kelley Sharland, Justice Lawrence Cabana, Tim Kelley, Rev. Alan Shnob, Donald (Jeff) Pescia

By John T. Ryan

Peru – Monday, December 30, 2019 was a special night as the Peru Town Board held a regular meeting at the Peru courthouse and passed a resolution naming it The Kelley Courthouse in honor of longtime Peru resident Joe Kelley. Town Supervisor Brandy McDonald and Counselors Jim Douglass, Rick Barber and Melvin Irwin voted 4-0 in favor of the resolution.

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During January Town Clerk/Tax Collector Dianne Miller will be in her office at the Town Hall to receive tax payments during the following  hours: 

Mondays – 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. & 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. 

Tuesdays – 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. 

Wednesdays – 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. 

Thursdays – 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. 

Fridays – 9 am. – 2 p.m. 

Saturday, January 25th – 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. 

Friday, January 31st – 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. 

The regular meeting of the Peru Town Board was held on Monday December 9, 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. Judy Akey, Deputy 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. Matt Favro, Town Attorney.  Mrs. Dianne Miller, Town Clerk, excused.

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

Motion by Mr. Langley; seconded by Mr. Barber to approve the minutes from the November 25, 2019 meeting.   Ayes 5   Nays 0 Motion Carried

Motion by Mr. Douglass; 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

RESOLUTION NUMBER: 19.12.09-1

A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE TOWN’S ESSEX COUNTY SNOW PLOWING CONTRACT AMMENDMENT FOR TERRY MOUNTAIN AND AUTHORIZING THE SUPERVISOR TO EXECUTE THE SAME.

Motion: Mr. Barber                                                  Second: Mr. Douglass

WHEREAS, the Town Board has the snow plowing contract amendment to change the reimbursement cost per snow event and extend the contract through March 31, 2020 for Terry Mountain between the Town of Peru and Essex County before it, 

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.

Carried: 5 Ayes 0 Nays

RESOLUTION NUMBER: 19.12.09-2

A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE CALGON CARBON CORPORATION’S PROPOSAL FOR REMOVING, TESTING AND REPLACING GAC MEDIA   AND DISPOSAL OF THE SAME FOR THE PERU WATER FILTRATION SYSTEM.

MOTION: _____________________   SECOND: _______________________

WHEREAS, the Town Board has received a proposal in response to its request for same in connection with the removal, replacement and disposal and testing of approximately 154 cubic feet of GAC media in each of three (3) filters for the Town Water Filtration System, AND

WHEREAS, the Town Board has reviewed this proposal and upon recommendation of Courtney Tetrault, W/S Supervisor has decided that the proposal of Calgon Carbon Corporation best meets the needs of the Town; NOW

THEREFORE, BE IT

RESOLVED, that the Town of Peru accepts the proposal of Calgon Carbon Corporation at a cost of Thirty Two Thousand Five Hundred and Twenty Dollars ($32,520.00) with an additional Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) for testing of spent media, And

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

Carried:

Mr. Tetrault stated that the resolution was not correct.  Mr. Favro advised to amend resolution and to continue with corrected information.

AMENDED RESOLUTION NUMBER: 19.12.09-2

A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE CARBON ACTIVATED CORPORATION’S PROPOSAL FOR REMOVING, TESTING AND REPLACING GAC MEDIA   AND DISPOSAL OF THE SAME FOR THE PERU WATER FILTRATION SYSTEM.

MOTION: Mr. Irwin                              SECOND: Mr. Langley 

WHEREAS, the Town Board has received a proposal in response to its request for same in connection with the removal, replacement and disposal and testing of approximately 154 cubic feet of GAC media in each of three (3) filters for the Town Water Filtration System, AND

WHEREAS, the Town Board has reviewed this proposal and upon recommendation of Courtney Tetrault, W/S Supervisor has decided that the proposal of Carbon Activated Corporation best meets the needs of the Town; NOW

THEREFORE, BE IT

RESOLVED, that the Town of Peru accepts the proposal of Carbon Activated Corporation at a cost of Twenty Nine Thousand Six Hundred Dollars ($29,600.00) with an additional Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) for testing of spent media, And

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

Carried: 5 Ayes 0 Nays

Set Dates for Sewer Informational Meetings with Residents

An informational meeting was set for January 13, 2020 at 5:30 PM at the Town Hall, to discuss the easements needed by the Town, in order to proceed with the sewer line project in 2020, on Elm St., Main St., North Bend and Maiden Lane. The easements, when signed by the residents, will allow the Town access over their property for the installation and maintenance purposes of the new sewer main.

Ms. Barber will send out letters on January 2 to the residents that will be affected by the easements requesting them to attend this informational meeting.  The sooner the easements are signed off on will determine how quick the project begins.

Sewer Project Collection Update

Mr. Tetrault was happy with the movement of the project as was stated at the last meeting.  They were just waiting for permission from DOT to move forward with this project.

Other Business

Mr. Tetrault mentioned that his crew was quite busy and were doing a lot with maintenance issues at the Water Department.

Mr. Farrell informed the Board that the Patent Rd. culvert project is temporarily finished and will probably be opened for traffic on Wednesday of this week.  The project will be completed in the spring.

Mr. Farrell also told the Board about a sink hole over a different culvert on Telegraph Rd. about a quarter mile past Sullivan Rd., of which the guard rails were going into.  This problem is different than the one originally talked about on the same road.  This problem is a double 10ft, side by side culvert that will have to be attended to soon.

Mr. Douglass thanked everyone involved in the Christmas Tree Lighting and how it was a great success.  It was a wonderful event for all.

Mr. McDonald mentioned that the Town received a refund check of $3,606.23 from the NYSIF compensation audit which was nice and unexpected.

Mr. McDonald reminded everyone that the next Town meeting will be held at the Court House on December 30^th at 6:00PM.

Public Comments on Agenda Items Only

None

RESOLUTION NUMBER: 19.12.09-3

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

MOTION: Mr. Douglass                                             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 December 2019:

From Town of Peru Vouchers in December 2019; #201901529   through and including #201901582

Abstract dated 12/9/2019

For the dollar amount totaling: $ 116,699.17; of that, $20,597.33 was wired, credit cards and prepaid; and $96,101.84   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: 5 Ayes 0 Nays

Adjourn to Executive Session 

Motion by Mr. Barber, seconded by Mr. Irwin at 7:26 PM to adjourn to executive session to discuss a property issue, and when the Board returns there will be no action coming.

Ayes 5   Nays 0   Motion Carried

Return to Regular Session

Motion by Mr. Langley; seconded by Mr. Douglass at 7:40 PM to return to regular session.

Ayes 5   Nays 0   Motion Carried

Motion by Mr. Langley; seconded by Mr. Barber to adjourn the regular meeting at 7:41 PM.  Ayes 5   Nays 0   Motion Carried

_________________________Supervisor  _________________________Councilman

_________________________Councilman _________________________Councilman

_________________________Councilman

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Casella Waste System, Inc. completed a promotion where they donated $25.00 to United Way of the Adirondack Region, Inc. for every customer that signed up for trash and recycling pickup for the months of September and October. The funds will be used for high priority health and human service needs in the region. Casella Waste System, Inc. has a generous history of supporting United Way and several other community initiatives.

Peru, N.Y., November 29—Bloated Toe Publishing has released a new nonfiction book, “Bullets, Booze, Bootleggers, and Beer: The Story of Prohibition in Northern New York, Volume 1: 1920–1926” (8 x 10, hard cover, 472 pp, $32), by award-winning author Lawrence P. Gooley. The book chronicles in detail the first seven years of the Prohibition Era. Volume 2 (1927–1933) will follow in 2020 as America marks the 100th anniversary of Prohibition.

Left to Right: Kathy Snow; Director of Development of United Way of the Adirondack Region, Inc., Steve Maharaj; Mill Director at Georgia Pacific-Plattsburgh, and John Bernardi; President and CEO of United Way of the Adirondack Region, Inc.

Georgia Pacific’s salaried employees and USW Local 4-387 hourly employees contributed $39,597 to United Way of the Adirondack Region, Inc. Annual Campaign. Georgia Pacific has a long generous history of supporting United Way and several other community initiatives.

Nicolas Babineau and Alexis Chartrand celebrate the release of their new CD with a live show at the Saranac Fire Hall on Friday, January 10, 2020 at 7:00 pm.  Titled “un beau p’tit son” (translation: “a beautiful little sound”), the album was developed and recorded during two residencies at Hill and Hollow Music during 2019. Their first recording “Gigues à deux faces” was nominated Best Traditional Album at the Canadian Folk Music Awards. 

The duo’s music is traditional French-Canadian with a contemporary spin. Both are fabulous fiddlers and Nicolas can also evoke an atmosphere with his sweet-pingy guitar, while Alexis underpins it all with spirited foot-percussion.  Crafting their own signature arrangements of old tunes is a way of paying homage to legendary artists of the past who have deeply influenced Francophone culture, while it is also a great opportunity for the duo to express some very personal musical ideas and carry their culture forward. Nicolas Babineau and Alexis Chartrand have performed throughout Québec, the Maritimes, and New England, as well as across Canada to Vancouver; and they have also toured in Poland and Sweden. 

A special feature, the renowned Québécois dancer-choreographer Mélissandre Tremblay-Bourassa offers additional virtuoso foot-percussion on several tracks of the new disk. She also joins the duo to dance live at the CD “Launch Party” performance January 10 in Saranac. Merging traditional step dancing with classical and contemporary  ballet, Mélissandre has developed a creative and aerial style of improvisation as a step-dancer for which she is especially appreciated. She has choreographed for and danced internationally with the Cirque du Soleil and was recently nominated for a Grand Prix Desjardins.   

Seating at the Saranac Fire Hall is club-style: six to eight chairs per table.  Requested donation of $20 includes refreshments.  For further info please telephone 518-293-7613, e-mail hillholl@hughes.net or visit www.hillandhollowmusic.org.

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