The Peru Gazette

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By John T. Ryan

Peru – It appears that the Washington Street extension project is moving forward. Responding to a Peru Gazette question at the Peru Town Board’s July 22, 2019 meeting Supervisor Brandy McDonald said meetings between town officials, the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and Washington Street developer Bill Sawyer and/or his representatives have been successful.

The street Sawyer paved last fall will not have to be widened, but another asphalt coat will have to be applied and a turnaround will be installed at the end of the street. The trees and dirt piled on both sides of the street will have to be hauled away and Sawyer will have to post a bond to ensure the work is completed. A certificate of occupancy will be issued for the house that has been built. The Town will not assume ownership of the road until the work is done.

The proposed zoning classification change near the corner of the Bear Swamp and Dashnaw Roads (Behind CFA Insurance) will be the subject of a public hearing scheduled for August 26, 2019 at 6:30 p.m. The Board is considering changing the classification of approximately 20 acres of property from commercial to residential. Developers Steve Fuller and Dick Nephew have expressed interest in constructing housing on the property.

Utilizing the $150,000 in NYS grant monies for the Main Street upgrade is still in question. The only woman-owned local contractor is not interested in the project; therefore, the Town will once again ask NYS for permission to utilize the money for paving at Heyworth-Mason Park and replacing Main Street sidewalks.

Bids will be sought to install new roofing on the Court House. The Town will purchase the materials.

Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell reported that Fish and Wildlife requirements for the damaged Patent Rd. culvert are less than anticipated. Farrell believed an 8-ft. high culvert would be required; however, a 3-ft. high x 10 ft. wide culvert will be acceptable.

Peru has been awarded $32,790 in Extreme Weather Recovery Consolidated Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) monies, $39,808 in “Pave NY” monies, plus $174,399 in regular CHIPS monies totaling 247,177.

The Board reappointed Jeremiah Cross to a six-year term (Sept 1, 2019 – Sept 30, 2025) as Peru’s assessor. Peru contracts with the Clinton County Real Property office for Cross’s services. The county retains the right to transfer Cross to another location or job as needed.

The Highway Department’s 1998 International truck and a spare bucket will be advertised for auction. A minimum bid will be set.

The Highway Department’s new truck should arrive in September or October. The truck was ordered following a January 4th snowplow rollover accident on a steep Patent Rd. hill. The new truck cost $211,000, less a $66,290 insurance for the damaged truck.

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By John T. Ryan

Peru – The scope of construction on the Peru Central School (PCS) campus since school was dismissed for summer vacation has been the talk of town. Some of the “information” being discussed has not been accurate. Here’s a summary of the cost and scope of the current and future construction as provided by PCS Superintendent Dr. Tom Palmer.

On May 15, 2018 Peru School District voters approved spending up to $18,485,000 on a capital project designated “renovate, rejuvenate and restore” with a stated purpose of enabling the school to meet the needs of 21st century learning.

New York State building aid is paying for 88% of the cost. The district has committed $1,750,000 from a capital reserve fund and $700,000 from an uncommitted fund balance.

Phases 1 and 2 are underway at this time and should be completed by late August. The total cost is $5,038,476. Local contractors are doing the work.

Phase 1 Contract Awards:
General Construction to Murnane Building Contractors – $1,056,000
Roofing Construction to A. W. Farrell & Sons Inc. -$651,073
Plumbing Construction to K&L Plumbing & Heating Inc. $19,000

Phase 2 Contract Awards:
General Construction to Murnane Building Contractors Inc. – $289,000
Mechanical Construction to K&L Plumbing & Heating Inc. – $394,182
Plumbing Construction to L.H. LaPlante Co. Inc. – $47,000
Electrical Construction to William J. Murray Inc. $110,000
Site Work Construction to Luck Brothers Inc. – $2,374,521

Phase 1 and 2 at the Elementary School
Reconstruct roadways, parking lots and the K-2 entrance
Reconstruct student drop-off and pick-up areas
Repair the main entrance portico and cupola
Repoint masonry and replace control joints in the exterior brick walls, chimneys and vents

Phase 1 and 2 at the Middle/High School
Install LED event lighting for night games/events at the stadium/track
Improve traffic flow at the student pickup and drop-off areas
Upgrade the elevator to meet Americans With Disabilities (ADA) requirements
Reconstruct deteriorated asphalt areas at campus drive and loop
Construct a 4,000 sf metal “cold” storage building to replace a collapsing storage building

Bids for phases 3 & 4 will be advertised early next year with work to be completed next summer with the exception of converting the wrestling room into a multi-level fitness center/wrestling room.That project should be completed in late winter or spring of 2021.

Phases 3 and 4 include the following:

Peru Elementary School
Reconstruct/replace all outdated playground equipment
Upgrade public address system and add speakers to the exterior
Upgrade/install air conditioning units in several areas
Replace sanitary piping with galvanized lines
Roof replacements and drainage upgrades
Install protective pads at the gas lines in the roof
Upgrade grades 3-5 library and computer lab
Upgrade pubic toilets
Renovate and reconstruct the K-2 kitchen and upgrade equipment
Window repairs/replacement in grades 3-5 building.
Construct vestibules and canopy at K-2 door and bus drop-offs
Replace original plumbing and fittings with new ADA and Water conserving units

Middle/High School
Modernize HS Science rooms and add storage
Convert the wrestling room into a multi-level fitness center/wrestling room
Convert the weight room into a training room
Rejuvenate Home and Careers space
Replace Media Center furniture
Add water drainage system to area between HS/K2 and stadium
Upgrade intercom and announcement system throughout building
Provide centralized air conditioning for the auditorium, computer rooms and maintenance office area
Add CO2 monitoring devices where required
Add seismic bracing where required in the interior bearing walls
Replace older light fixtures with LED lights, add occupancy sensors to classrooms
Construct a loop road to connect the south and north drives for a convenient circulation pattern
Convert a co-gen unit, or installation of a 250KW standby generator for Emergency Standby power

Plus $1,560,112 improvements at the Bus Garage

Brianne Peryea receives the FFA Junior Showman award from Franklin County Dairy Princess Addison Miller

Madison Peryea presents the FFA Novice Showman Championship Award to Emma Spoor.

By John T. Ryan

We live at a time when the vast majority of Americans have little direct connection to agriculture. Nevertheless, the Future Farmers of America (FFA) program is thriving at Northern Adirondack Central School (NAC) with almost 150 students participating in the FFA program. Students are learning that agriculture doesn’t necessarily mean working on a dairy farm. It’s an industry with a wide variety of jobs including thousands of unfilled jobs.

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Graduates include Ryan E. Lawrence of Peru

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On July 14, NYS Enfironmental Conservation Officers Jeff Hovey and Brad Buffa were on a boat patrol on Union Falls Pond when they observed three individuals in a canoe, two of whom were fishing. As they approached the canoe, the occupants paddled to shore and exited the canoe. ECO Buffa found a loaded .22 caliber rifle in the canoe, with one of the occupants claiming he was going to use to use the rifle to hunt frogs. The subject produced a valid hunting license. However, one of the fishermen failed to produce any identification, and it was later found that he had an active bench warrant from Plattsburgh for criminal contempt of court. The subject was taken into custody, transported by vessel to the boat launch, and handed over to Plattsburgh City Police. Two tickets were also issued for fishing without a license and one ticket was issued for no personal flotation devices in the vessel.

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Peru Community Church and St. Augustine’s Catholic Church Invite children ages 4 years to 6^th grade to:  “Son Spark Labs”

A summer bible event called:  “Son Spark Labs:  Discovering God’s Plan For You” will be held at Peru Community Church Fellowship Center, 13 Elm Street, Peru from Monday, July 29^th to Friday, August 2^nd.

Kids will participate in Crafts, Science, Storytime, Worship Music and Recreation focusing on a daily Bible verse.

Son Spark Labs will run from 9am to Noon each day.  Pre registration is ENCOURAGED but not required.  To pre-register online visit our website at www.perucommunitychurch.com or find us on Facebook as The Peru Community Church or @perucommunitychurch.

Registration forms are also available in the Peru Community Church Fellowship Center during regular business hours.

Questions?  Please call the church office at 518-643-8641.

Our website is www.perucommunitychurch.com

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The regular meeting of the Peru Town Board was held on Monday July 8, 2019 at the Peru Town Hall.  Those present were Mr. Brandy McDonald Supervisor; Excused, Mr. James Douglass, Councilman; Mr. James Langley, Councilman; Mr. Melvin Irwin, Councilman; Mr. Richard Barber Jr., Councilman; Mrs. Dianne Miller, Town Clerk.  Also present were Mr. Courtney Tetrault, Water/Sewer 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 7:03 PM by Mr. Douglass, with the Pledge of Allegiance.  

Motion by Mr. Langley; seconded by Mr. Barber to approve the minutes from the June 24, meeting.  

Ayes 4   Nays 0 Motion Carried

Motion by Mr. Barber; 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 4   Nays 0 Motion Carried

Community Input and Questions

NONE

Insurance Options

Ed Davis and Kristi Johnson representing Northern Insuring, presented proposals for employee benefits. 

Mr. Langley recommended pursuing this option with Northern Insuring.

Court Building Roof

Roof needs to be replaced.  A bid will be needed. Mr. Tetrault stated that possibly it would be beneficial for the town to buy the materials. Mr. Langley stated for the town to receive the best value for the dollar.

Sewer Collection Project Update

Mr. Tetrault stated surveying is finished.

Workshop for the sewer project has been set for July 16, 2019 at 5PM at the Town Hall.

Local Government Conference, SUNY Potsdam

Ms. Barber stated this conference is being held October 15, 2019. 

Other Business

The payments to Search Engine for background checks will be paid from the general fund.

Mr. Tetrault stated the fence for Lapham Mills dugouts will cost under a $1000.00 using hardware cloth and framing it out with 2×6 boards. Installation is planned for the week of July 15, 2019.

An employee while weed trimming was impelled with a hypodermic needle at the dog park. All precautions for his care were taken.

Mr. Guynup stated the zoning map update for Dashnaw Road is completed. A public hearing will 

be set.  Courtesy letters will be sent to the residents possibly affected by the change in zoning.  

Mr. Douglass stated he spoke with Mr. Farrell and no new update on the Patent Road culvert

Public Comments on Agenda Items Only

NONE

RESOLUTION NUMBER: 19.07.08-1

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

MOTION: Mr. Langley                          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 July 2019:

From Town of Peru Vouchers in July 2019; #201900838   through and including #201900902

Abstract dated 7/8/2019

For the dollar amount totaling: $58,729.77; of that, $16,352.06 was wired, credit cards and prepaid; and $47,197.71 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:

4 Ayes 0 Nays

Motion by Mr. Barbe;r seconded by Mr. Langley to adjourn the regular meeting at 7:51 PM.  Ayes 4   Nays 0   Motion Carried

_________________________Supervisor  _________________________Councilman

_________________________Councilman _________________________Councilman

_________________________Councilman

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