The Peru Gazette

By John T. Ryan

At the Peru Town Board’s Monday, July 8th regular meeting Parks Superintendent Courtney Tetrault reported that an employee was recently injured injured when the string trimmer he was operating near the dog park accidentally struck a hypodermic syringe. The syringe became airborne resulting in the needle penetrating the employee’s wrist. He received several preventative shots at CVPH Medical Center and periodic blood tests will be necessary. Tetrault said this is the first time he has seen a syringe at the park.

The Northern Insuring Agency currently provides the Town’s liability and workman’s compensation insurance. Northern Insuring Vice-President Ed Davis and Senior Service Coordinator Kristi Johnson asked the Board to consider hiring Northern Insuring as the Town’s health insurance broker. Burnham Benefit Advisors is the current broker; however, it has been acquired by the Alera Group of Deerfield, Illinois. Ms. Johnson stressed that Northern Insuring is locally-owned and she would be a local contact for personal service. Burnham Benefit Advisors is still located in Lake Placid and responds to insurance questions from its Lake Placid office. This year the Town paid about $210,700 for health insurance. A 7% increase is expected next year.

In 2016 the Town purchased the former Peru Federal Credit Union building on Davey Drive for use as the community’s new court house. Judge Jim Kirby volunteered his time to renovate the building, but now it’s time to replace the roof. Counselors Rick Barber and Jim Langley are acquiring prices. Asphalt and/or steel roofs are being considered. The Town may purchase the materials and contract for installation.

Superintendent Courtney reported that AES Engineering has completed the survey required for the sewer system upgrade. The Board scheduled a workshop for July 16, 2019 at 5 p.m. to discuss any outstanding issues with AES personnel. The workshop is open to the public.

In the next few days Park’s Department personnel will be installing metal screen on the baseball dugouts. It will cost less than $1,000.

Code Enforcement Officer Bob Guynup recommended scheduling a public hearing regarding proposed zoning changes near the Dashnaw Road – Bear Swamp Road intersection. Five property owners adjacent to the property in question will be notified by mail.

Counselor Jim Douglass suggested billing other towns when Peru’s Dog Control Officer (DCO) has to answer calls because their DCO is not available. Douglass mentioned a $100 charge. HIs suggestion was discussed, but no action was taken.

Background checks for all Youth Commission coaches and personnel (35) have been completed. More checks are expected for fall sports.

Deputy Supervisor Jim Douglass chaired this meeting. Supervisor Brandy McDonald was at the CVPH Emergency Room being treated for elbow issues related to his recent shoulder surgery. He arrived at the Town Hall just as the meeting concluded.

Source: Free coupons for fresh produce | News | pressrepublican.com

Source: City Police to offer “Gun Buy-Back” event | Local News | pressrepublican.com

ATTENTION VOTERS NYS HAS ADOPTED EARLY VOTING!

Beginning on October 26th, 2019 To November 3rd, 2019 You will be eligible to vote 10 days before The November 5th, 2019 General Election
Your Early Voting Site Location
Clinton County Government Center
137 Margaret St.
1st Floor Meeting Room
Plattsburgh, NY 12901
Times:
Saturday & Sunday 9am – 2pm
Monday, Wednesday & Friday 9am – 5pm
Tuesday & Thursday 9am – 8pm
Days:
October 26th – November 3rd
Registered Voter Information

By John T. Ryan

The Davern Road extends from the River Road to the Union Road and on to Route 22. The bridge, located a few hundred feet east of the River Road, spans a branch of the Little Ausable River. It is utilized by farmers who harvest crops on both sides of the bridge and by residents who use it as a shortcut to Route 22, downtown Peru and I87.

From the office of Congresswoman Elise Stefanik

Washington, D.C. –  Today, the House passed the Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act of 2019, legislation that Congresswoman Elise Stefanik cosponsored. This bill eliminates the per-country limit established by the Immigration and Nationality Act for visas for employment-based immigrants. Currently, only 140,000 employment-based green cards are given annually, with nearly half of those going to dependents. Unfortunately, this increases wait times for all immigrants and furthers the problems within our legal immigration system. The Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act raises the per-country limit 8%, from 7% to 15%.

“I have long advocated for the need to modernize and reform our broken immigration system,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “This bill will attract and retain high-skilled workers who are talented in their field. I was proud to cosponsor this bipartisan bill and applaud the House for coming together to pass it in order to ensure our country’s economic competitiveness and do away with the gridlock in our immigration system.”

The Peru Town Board has scheduled a workshop for Tuesday, July 16, 2019 at 5:00 PM at the Peru Town Hall to discuss Water/Sewer Project.

By John T. Ryan

Peru – Anyone who pumps fuel into a car or truck has undoubtedly noticed a yellow or blue Weights and Measures sticker on the pump. Allen Bilow, Clinton County’s Director of Weights of Measures, is the person responsible for applying that sticker in this county.

Source: Two hikers set new record for climbing 46 High Peaks of Adirondacks | St. Lawrence County | nny360.com

Peru Elementary School

Peru – Anyone passing by the Peru Central School this summer can’t help but notice the ongoing construction project. It’s part of an $18.4 million capital improvement program approved by the voters in May 2018. At that time School Superintendent Thomas Palmer described the program as follows:

Upgrades to school PA systems
Air conditioning updates
Building repairs
Parking lot and sidewalk fixes
New furniture in the middle/high school library
Media center and computer lab upgrades
Renovations to the K-2 kitchen
Updates to bring the school’s elevator into ADA compliance
Commission of a parking study to improve ingress-egress at the high school
New storage and upgrades to the high school science room and art room
Construction of a new loop road and 4,000 square-foot storage building
Converting the middle/high school wrestling room into a multi-level fitness center with weight-lifting and fitness equipment
Converting the weight room into a training room
Install a $300,000 lighting system for the football field

At the time of the budget vote documents indicated that priority items are expected to be completed by August 2019, while the project as a whole has an anticipated end-date of August 2021.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE PERU GAZETTE PHOTOS 

Source: Court blocks plan for Adirondack snowmobile routes linking Park towns | NCPR News

Keeseville, NY – Artistry Community Theatre is delighted to announce its summer musical production of Meredith Willson’s classic, The Music Man. Performances will be held at AuSable Valley Middle-High School on July 25th at 7pm, July 26th at 7pm, July 27th at 7pm, and July 28th at 5pm. Tickets are $20 and on sale now at https://artistrytheatre.org/the-music-man. 

Meredith Willson’s six-time, Tony Award-winning musical comedy has been warming audiences’ hearts since 1957. The Music Man is a family-friendly story to be shared with every generation. We follow fast-talking traveling salesman, Harold Hill, as he cons the people of River City, Iowa, into buying instruments and uniforms for a boys’ band that he vows to organize – this, despite the fact that he doesn’t know a trombone from a treble clef. His plans to skip town with the cash are foiled when he falls for Marion, the librarian, who transforms him into a respectable citizen by curtain’s fall. This critically acclaimed Broadway classic is an all-American institution thanks to is quirky characters, charmingly predictable dramatic situations and one-of-a-kind nostalgic score of rousing marches, barbershop quartets and sentimental ballads. The production is brought to life by a dazzling cast featuring local performers of all ages, and an accomplished creative team spearheaded by director Derrick Hopkins and musical director Elisha Harrington. 

Elisha Harrington explains that she took on the role of music director not only because of The Music Man’s natural appeal, but because of her past work with director Derrick Hopkins and his newly founded theatre company. “I have a great amount of respect for ACT and Derrick, and I was thrilled to be asked to participate, and didn’t hesitate to accept this opportunity,” Harrington is a music and chorus teacher at Saranac Middle & High School, making her no stranger to directing a large vocal ensemble. She describes that rehearsals are already creating bonds between cast and crew. They are becoming a well knit community as they will portray on stage in July. Harrington says, “The audience should look forward to a high energy performance from everyone on stage. They should expect to find themselves smiling throughout the theatre going experience,” 

As director of this spectacularly large production, Derrick Hopkins took on a daunting responsibility. But for him, it was no question. “The Music Man has always held a special place in my heart,” Hopkins says. Like many artists involved in this particular production, it is not Hopkins’ first experience with The Music Man. At seventeen, he participated in the Depot Theater’s production and fell in love with musical theatre, but more importantly, theatre people. These memories returned to Hopkins as the show selection process for 2019 moved forward. “How could I not bring this show to the Artistry stage and give a new group of people this same experience? I just had to do it!” The superman director by evenings, who is a 5th grade teacher at Willsboro Central School by day, explains that with a show like The Music Man, the content is family friendly, every tune is memorable, and it is a show that audiences will feel good about seeing. He is very proud of Artistry Community Theatre’s 2019 musical production, “This cast is remarkable. They are talented. They are committed. They are utter perfection! I cannot say enough about them. Simply a dream. My team is making this possible. Audiences are sure to be wowed on all levels. The Music Man will be the single, biggest event of the summer season in the Adirondacks!” 

The Music Man marches onto the AuSable Valley Middle-High School stage July 25-28. Stage direction and choreography by Derrick A. Hopkins with music direction by Elisha Harrington. The cast includes over 30 players, led by Dana McLaughlin (Harold Hill), Antonette McLaughlin (Marion Paroo), and Jason Borrie (Marcellus Washburn). 

For more information contact director, Derrick Hopkins. 

The regular meeting of the Peru Town Board was held on Monday, June 24, 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 Jr., Councilman; Mr. Matthew Favro, Town Attorney; Mrs. Dianne Miller, Town Clerk.  Also present Mr. Courtney Tetrault, Water/Sewer Superintendent; Mr. Michael Farrell, Highway Superintendent; Ms. Pamela Barber, Secretary to the Board and Mr. Dave Drollette, Dog Control Officer.

The meeting was called to order at 7:04 PM by Mr. McDonald, with the Pledge of Allegiance.  

Motion by Mr. Langley; seconded by Mr. Barber to approve the minutes from the 

June 10, 2019 meeting.  

Ayes 5 Nays 0 Motion Carried

Motion by Mr. Douglass, seconded by Mr. Irwin to approve May 2019 JCEO report. 

Ayes 5 Nays 0                                                                         Motion Carried             

Community Input and Questions

Mr. Baggs thanked the Town for the prompt attention to the maintenance of the cemetery on the corner of Jabez Allen Road and Sullivan Road.  Read more »

Chef Curtiss knows a lot about food. He loves to teach and get people passionate about food any time of the year. He’s the former Dean of Culinary Arts at the New England Culinary Institute in Burlington, and has also taught at Paul Smiths College.

These days he and his family live in Peru, NY where he runs the Carriage House Cooking School. Many of his recipes are found in Northern Home, Garden and Leisure Magazine.

Source: Chef Curtiss: Summer is shroomin’ season | NCPR News

Source: Saranac River Trail projects receive grant funding | Local News | pressrepublican.com

Source: Plattsburgh motorcyclist killed when pickup runs red light | Local 22/44 News

The Keeseville Fire Department confirms one person is dead after a crash in Keeseville, NY.

Source: Fatal motorcycle crash

Source: Free camp readies students for STEM (science, technology, engineering, math careers)

JULY 8, 2019 @ 7:00 PM

1. Call Meeting To Order

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Roll Call

4. MOTION:  Approval of Minutes for the Town Board Regular Meetings of June24, 2019.

5. MOTION/DISCUSSION:  To Accept reports from all Departments: (Water/Sewer/Valcour; Highway; Town Clerk; Dog Control; Youth Department; Code/Zoning; Supervisor’s Report; Court; Website; JCEO; and Banking Reports)

6. Community Input

7. DISCUSSION:  Insurance Options.

8. DISCUSSION:  Court Building Roof.
10. DISCUSSION:  Sewer Collection Project Update.

11. DISCUSSION:  Local Government Conference, SUNY Potsdam.

12. DISCUSSION:  Other Business. 

Ding oof.

13. DISCUSSION:  Public Comments on Agenda Items Only.

14. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Pay Bills

MOTION:     Adjourn

Source: No Truckin’ Way! Downtown Burlington Restaurateurs Say No to More Food Trucks | Business | Seven Days | Vermont’s Independent Voice

From the NYS Department of Transportation

Please be advised that one lane of State Route 9N in the area between I-87 and AuSable Forks in Clinton County has been closed to complete roadway shoulder repairs. Traffic will be controlled by flaggers with one-way alternating traffic.

Motorists are urged to slow down and safely move over when approaching roadside vehicles displaying red, white, blue, amber or green lights, including maintenance and construction vehicles in work zones. To learn more about the Move Over law and what we’re doing to keep workers and motorists safe in highway construction zones, visit www.ny.gov/workzonesafety.