The Peru Gazette

  The next few weeks will be beautiful!

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From the office of Congresswoman Elise Stefanik  

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, Congressman Paul Tonko (D-NY-20), and Congressman Antonio Delgado (D-NY-19) announced today they will be introducing a set of bills to enhance limousine safety in response to last year’s tragic accident in Schoharie, NY. The crash caused the death of 20 people, making it the deadliest transportation accident in the United States since 2009. This comprehensive package of legislation will close gaps in the law to ensure modified limousines meet federal safety standards, strengthen inspection requirements, and direct research to guide further updates to limousine safety regulations. Find a full explanation of the bills below. Senators Schumer and Gillibrand will be introducing companion legislation in the Senate.

“One year ago, tragedy struck Upstate New York when 20 lives were lost in a horrific auto accident,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “While the investigation is still ongoing, NTSB’s recent recommendations make it clear that critical gaps in the federal standards are undermining the safety of passengers. Our proposal will close existing loopholes in the limousine safety standards and keep unsafe vehicles off our roads. I am looking forward to working with my New York colleagues on this comprehensive and bipartisan legislation to ensure such senseless tragedies never happen again.”

The SAFE Limos Act of 2019: Safety, Accountability, and Federal Enforcement

Safety Belt Standards for Limousines

Under current law, limousines with a gross vehicle weight rating greater than 8,500 pounds are not required to have lap shoulder belts for every seating position.  The SAFE Limos Act will require each new limousine to have lap and shoulder belts that meet minimum safety requirements for each designated seating position.

Seating System Standards for Limousines

Limousines manufacturers are not required to meet minimum safety standards for seats, their attachment assemblies, and their installation to minimize the possibility of seats failing during a crash.  The SAFE Limos Act will require each new limousine to meet safety requirements for seat strength and integrity.

Retrofit Assessment for Existing Limousines

The SAFE Limos Act will require the Secretary of Transportation to evaluate the feasibility of retrofitting existing limousines with lap and shoulder belts and seat systems that meet minimum safety requirements.

Safety Standards for Altering Used Vehicles into Limousines

The modern limousine market is made up of several independent manufacturers that purchase and modify new or used vehicles into limousines.  Under current law, a limousine manufacturer that modifies a new vehicle into a limousine must certify that the altered vehicle still conforms will federal safety standards, such as side impact protections and roof crush resistance.  Modifiers of used vehicles (i.e., vehicles that have been sold at least once, other than for resale), however, are not required to certify that their vehicles meet federal safety standards.  The SAFE Limos Act requires limousine manufacturers altering used vehicles to certify that the limousine meets federal safety standards.

Limousine Compliance with Federal Safety Standards

To assist limousine manufacturers in complying with federal safety standards, some automakers have created programs detailing what manufacturing limousine alterers should meet to ensure their altered motor vehicle complies with federal safety standards.  Unfortunately, not all limousine alterers adhere to these programs.  The SAFE Limos Act directs the Secretary of Transportation to develop and issue guidelines, best practices, and recommendations to assist a limousine alterer develop and administer a vehicle modifier plan.  A limousine alterer is required to develop a vehicle modifier plan, subject to approval by the Secretary.

Limousine Crash Safety

Limousines are typically equipped with perimeter seating, in which the back of the seats lie against the interior of the passenger compartment.  Such alternate seating arrangements can pose unique dangers to occupants.  Further, side-impact protections are inconsistent across the limousine industry.  The SAFE Limos Act directs NHTSA to conduct research into crashworthiness including side impact protection, roof crush resistance, and air bag system protections for all limousine occupants given alternative seating positions or interior configurations, including perimeter seating arrangements.  NHTSA’s findings should inform vehicle modifier plans.

Limousine Evacuation

Rapid egress from a vehicle after a crash can make the difference between life and death.  Pursuant to prior recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the SAFE Limos Act will direct NHTSA to conduct research and issue standards that can aid egress and regress in the event that one exit in the limousine’s passenger compartment is blocked. 

Limousine Inspection Disclosure

The SAFE Limos Act will require a limousine operator introducing a limousine into interstate commerce to disclose:

1. Date of the most recent inspection of the limousine required under state or federal law;
2. The results of the inspection; and
3. Any corrective action taken by the limousine operator to ensure the limousine passes inspection.

Event Data Recorders for Limousines

Event Data Recorders are devices installed in motor vehicles that collect valuable information about the nature of crashes to aid investigations.  The SAFE Limos Act would require the use of Event Data Recorders for all new limousines.

The Take Unsafe Limos Off the Road Act

Impoundment or Immobilization of Limos that Fail Inspection

This act will create a new grant program to support states’ efforts to impound or immobilize vehicles that fail inspection for critical safety reasons.  The New York State Assembly and Senate are working on legislation that allows for the immobilization or impoundment of limousines where such vehicle has an out-of-service defect or a defect related to its horn. The act will incentivize states like New York to take strong actions to keep unsafe limos that fail inspection off the road.

Annual State Limo Inspection Requirement

The act would require the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to restart a dormant rulemaking effort requiring states to inspect all commercial motor vehicles designed or used to transport passengers.

The End the Limo Loophole Act

Ensure Limos Comply with Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations

Currently, a Commercial Motor Vehicle is defined as one that is designed to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver. Vehicles that are altered post-manufacture to accommodate more than 15 passengers, as with many stretch limos, fall outside this definition. This act will amend the definition of a Commercial Motor Vehicle to ensure that it covers all vehicles used to transport more than 15 people so that critical federal safety rules, such as driver qualifications, apply regardless of the initial design.

Youth Big Game Hunt on Columbus Day Weekend

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos announced today that bowhunting seasons for deer and bear will begin in the Northern Zone on Sept. 27 and in the Southern Zone on Oct. 1.

“New York provides great opportunity for the state’s more than 160,000 licensed bowhunters to venture outside during early bow seasons, which offer mild weather and longer days in the woods,” Commissioner Seggos said. “It’s also the perfect time to introduce new hunters to deer and bear hunting. With abundant apples and good crops of acorns and beechnuts across the state this year, hunters will do well to key in on concentrated food sources for early season success with deer and black bear.”

Deer Management Permit Deadline is Oct. 1

The deadline to apply for deer management permits (DMPs; antlerless tags) is fast approaching, and hunters must apply for DMPs by Oct. 1. Hunters should know the Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) they intend to hunt and review their chances of selection before applying. The application fee for DMPs is $10. The fee is waived for junior hunters and Lifetime License holders who purchased a Lifetime (Sportsman) License before Oct. 1, 2009. Hunters who have purchased a hunting license are eligible to apply for up to two DMPs that may be used to harvest antlerless deer from a specified WMU. Antlerless deer harvest is crucial in helping to balance the deer herd with available habitat.

Hunters who still need to pick up their license and permits for the 2019-20 seasons can do so at any one of DEC’s 1,300 license issuing outlets, by phone at 866-933-2257, or online through the DECALS website.

Youth Big Game Hunt

New York’s annual Youth Big Game Hunt is scheduled for Columbus Day weekend, Oct. 12-14. During this special opportunity, licensed 14- and 15-year-olds may use a firearm to hunt big game while accompanied by an experienced, licensed adult hunter. All eligible junior hunters may take one deer (either sex) and one bear. During the youth hunt, antlerless deer taken with a firearm may be tagged with a regular season tag, DMP, or Deer Management Assistance Program tags. Antlered deer may only be tagged with the regular season tag. Though junior hunters may have multiple deer tags, they may only take one deer with a firearm during the Youth Big Game Hunt.

This Youth Big Game Hunt takes place throughout the state, except in Suffolk County and in bowhunting-only areas. Additional rules that apply to junior hunters and their adult mentors can be found on pages 36 and 37 of the Hunting & Trapping Guide or through the Junior Hunter Mentoring Program.

Take it, Tag it, Report it!

DEC reminds New York hunters of the importance of reporting their harvest. Harvest reporting is critical to wildlife management, and hunters are required to report their harvest of deer, bear, and turkey within seven days of taking the animal. The easiest way to report is via DEC’s HuntFishNY mobile app. Through this app, hunters, anglers, and trappers can access an electronic version of their licenses and privileges, and report the harvest of deer, bear, and turkey quickly while afield on their mobile device. Hunters may still use the phone report system, but online and mobile systems are faster, more convenient, and easier for hunters to accurately enter information.

Venison Donation Program

Big game hunters are reminded that they can help feed the hungry by making a monetary contribution to the Venison Donation Program at any license-issuing outlet. License buyers should inform the sales agent if they are interested in donating $1 or more to support the program. Since 1999, these funds have been used by the Venison Donation Coalition to process more than 330 tons of highly nutritious venison, the equivalent of 2.8 million meals served. Learn more about the Venison Donation Coalition program.

Protect our Deer from Chronic Wasting Disease

Hunters should take the threat of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) seriously. CWD is always fatal to deer. If introduced, CWD could spread rapidly and would be practically impossible to eliminate once established, threatening the future of New York’s deer population, hunting tradition, and many of the other benefits associated with deer. The most effective disease management strategy is to prevent CWD from entering New York. Hunters can help protect New York’s deer herd from CWD by following these tips:

• If hunting any type of deer, elk, moose, or caribou outside of New York, debone the animal before bringing it back and follow the law about importing carcass parts from outside of New York. See CWD Regulations for Hunters. DEC will confiscate and destroy illegally imported carcasses and parts;
• Avoid natural deer urine products. Prions are shed in the bodily fluids (saliva, feces, urine) of infected deer before they appear sick. Prions bind to soil and plants where they remain infectious for years. There is no way to ensure that urine products are free of prions. Choose synthetic alternatives;
• Dispose of carcass waste in a landfill, not on the landscape;
• Hunt only wild deer and support fair chase hunting principles; and
• Report deer that appear sick or act abnormally by contacting the nearest Regional DEC Wildlife Office.

From the office of Assemblyman Billy Jones

“As a dad and a former dairy farmer myself, I can tell you there are few children who don’t love a delicious serving of chocolate milk. The slogan, ‘Milk Has More’ often seen painted on barns, reminds us that this delicious, locally produced beverage has key nutrients for growth and development of our children like calcium, vitamin D and potassium.[1]

Peru’s new Stewart’s Shop as of 9:30 this morning. The contractor is not letting rain stop him today.

The boil water has been lifted for :  River Rd from Barney Downs to Ormsby Circle, Ormsby Circle, Old Town Rd, Oakdale Dr, Pinewood Dr, Hillside  Dr, Summit, Morgan Dr, Twin Creek and Barney Downs from River Rd to Calkins Rd

Courtney Tetrault

Water/Sewer Superintendent

Source: Tips for Seeing Fall Foliage in the Adirondacks | Adirondack Council

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Source: This week at The Strand!

Peru – October 1, 2019 

Due to a loss of pressure resulting from a broken water main valve the following areas are under a precautionary boil water order. River Rd from Barney Downs to Ormsby Circle, Ormsby Circle, Old Town Rd, Oakdale Dr, Pinewood Dr, Hillside , Summit, Morgan Dr, Twin Creek and Barney Downs from River Rd to Calkins Rd.. There will be a boil water order in effect until two check samples have been approved. Updates can be found at www.perutown.com and on facebook at Peru Gazette.

The Town of Peru Water Dept. is working to restore water pressure in Quaker Springs by 8 p.m. Department personnel are repairing a leaking valve at the corner of the Barney Downs and Calkins Rd.

Home located at 75 Connors Rd. in Peru was fully involved in flames and/or smoke. Video at 2 p.m. Sept. 30, 2019, Peru, Morrisonville and South Plattsburgh Fire Departments were on the scene at 2 p.m.

Source: 2019 State of the Adirondack Park – – The Adirondack Almanack

Patty Henry

L-R Jay Chase and Alex Hebert

By John T. Ryan

Many people worked hard to make the 2019 Applefest a success. I helped recruit volunteers. One booth I never have to worry about is the hot dog, burger and french fry booth. For many years Patty Henry has worked very hard herself and staffed the booth with Peru High School students. It’s extremely busy for two days meaning everyone has to work very hard and maintain their cool.

Two of Patty’s volunteers deserve special mention – Jay Chase and Alex Hebert. They worked non-stop with a great attitudes and smiles in very hot conditions for two days. They’re a credit to Peru High School and to their families. I told them they have great future ahead of them. They’re not afraid to work!

Thank you Patty, Jay and Alex. Your sacrifice of time and talent is appreciated and deserves to be recognized.

Seton Catholic ranked #10 in the Top 30.

Source: The 30 best Catholic high schools in Upstate NY, ranked for the new school year – newyorkupstate.com

A Great Job by TV5

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