The Peru Gazette

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United Way of the Adirondack Region, Inc. held its Annual Meeting and Recognition Dinner on Saturday, March 2nd, 2019 at the Butcher Block-The Adirondack Room on Booth Drive in Plattsburgh, NY.

At the Annual Meeting portion of this event, the following officers were elected to a two year term: Sylvie Nelson, Executive Director of Workforce Development Board, as President, Chris Mazzella, High School Principal at Peru Central School, as Vice President, Todd McCarthy owner of Lenny’s Shoe and Apparel, as Secretary, Joyce Rafferty, Retired from University of Vermont Health Network- Champlain Valley Physician’s Hospital, as Treasurer and Anne Cutaiar Retired from Key Bank and owner of Lake Champlain Travel, as Vice Treasurer.

John Bernardi, CEO of United Way of the Adirondack Region, Inc. said, “We are honored to have this outstanding group of people lead our excellent Board of Directors. They are all very committed to serving our mission throughout the Adirondack Region.”

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The top family resort in North America to host another event for the entire family

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. – USA Luge, based in Lake Placid, will bring the thrill of the sport to the masses at Titus Mountain Family Ski Center on Saturday, March 9, from 11 AM to 3 PM.

Using easy to maneuver plastic sleds, patrons at the Malone ski and ride destination will get a chance to experience this exciting Olympic sport through the Casella Resource Solutions USA Luge Challenge. Read more »

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The Peru Community Church invites all to worship, pray and study during this holy season of Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday on March 6th and concludes Easter Sunday on April 21st.

The traditional Ash Wednesday service will be held at 6 pm in the Chapel in the Fellowship Center at 13 Elm Street at the intersection of Pleasant and Main Streets, Peru (Routes 22 and 22B).   The Reverend Peggi Eller, Pastor, will bless and impose ashes.     A light meal of soup and bread is available at 5pm, before the service, in the main hall of the Fellowship Center.   Parking is available on Elm Street and in the parking lot adjacent to the Fellowship Center.

The Peru Community Church welcomes all to worship.  Questions?   Please contact the church office / Pastor Peggi Eller at 518-643-8641.  Our website is www.perucommunitychurch.com.

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The musical Newsies will be presented by Peru Drama Club at the Peru Jr/Sr High Auditorium on March 7th and 8th at 7:30 PM and March 9th at 2:00 and 7:30 PM.

Now is the time to seize the day! Jack Kelly dreams of living in Santa Fe, but he’s stuck selling papers in New York City under the authority of manipulative publisher Joseph Pulitzer. When Pulitzer unfairly raises the price of papers, Jack and his fellow newsboys take a stand with the help of reporter Katherine Plumber. Based on the true story of the Newsboy Strike of 1899, this family-friendly musical will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat!

Newsies will be presented by Peru Drama Club at the Peru Jr/Sr High Auditorium on March 7th and 8th at 7:30 PM and March 9th at 2:00 and 7:30 PM. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Tickets are available at Kinney’s in Peru, online at http://perucsd.seatyourself.biz, or by calling (518) 551-0811.

From the Office of Congresswoman Elise Stefanik

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik introduced the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Harassment Act along with Rep. Cheri Bustos, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, and Rep. Morgan Griffith. This legislation would void forced arbitration agreements that prevent survivors of sexual harassment from receiving the justice they deserve. It will allow victims to discuss their cases publicly and will eliminate institutional protection for harassers.

PLATTSBURGH, NY – The Strand Center for the Arts is announcing a call for artists for its Gallery Cooperative. The Gallery Cooperative is a collection of artists, each expert at their chosen medium, who display their artwork in monthly shows at The Strand Center Community Gallery. On the first Friday of every month, one of these artists will be the featured artist for that month. There is an opening reception that is free and open to the public that evening from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

The last rotation of artists included painters Lorrie Mandigo, Carol Hochreiter, Sandy Fox, Amy Guglielmo, Diane Leifheit, Donna Austin, Marilyn Kretser, and Judy Guglielmo. In addition, these artists were joined by photographer Ron Nolland.

SCA Gallery director David Monette said of the Gallery Cooperative “We’re always looking for ways to increase the exposure of artists in our community. This Gallery Cooperative, with the collection of amazing artists we’ve had and that we will have in the future, is a great way to do that. We’re really excited to make this happen.”

The new rotation schedule begins June 2019. Those artists interested in applying to the cooperative can learn more at www.strandcenter.org or contact Gallery Director, David Monette, at 518-563-1604 or gallery@strandcenter.org. Regular gallery hours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information on exhibits, upcoming events, concerts, or classes happening at The Strand Center for the Arts, please call 518-563-1604 or visit www.strandcenter.org.

The Strand Center for the Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing a high caliber arts center and theatre, providing the best of visual arts, music, dance, and theatre to the community.  The SCA is supported by the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), the United Way, The Adirondack Foundation, and Stewart’s Shops.

The Strand Center for the Arts’ Diamond Sponsor is NBC 5; Platinum Circle Sponsors are The University of Vermont Health Network, Champlain Valley Physician’s Hospital and Twinstate Technologies. The Strand Center for the Arts’ Gold Sponsors are Northern Insuring Agency, Inc., Boire Benner Group, Casella, 97.5 Eagle Country, and Jeffords Steel and Engineering Company.

The regular meeting of the Peru Town Board was held on Monday February 11, 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 Langley, seconded by Mr. Irwin to approve the minutes from the January 28, 2019 meeting.   Ayes 5   Nays 0 Motion Carried

Motion by Mr. Barber seconded by Mr. Douglass 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). Dog Control was not submitted due to illness.

 Ayes 5   Nays 0                                                Motion Carried

Community Input and Questions

NONE

David Babbie  Presentation  for Babbie Museum Update

Mr. Babbie  expressed  his sincere appreciation for the funds and support  from the Town.

Mr. Babbie will be obtaining a building permit for a garage to be constructed to house farm equipment. 

Mr. McDonald stated a bottle drive is a good source of revenue for a fund raiser. Mr. McDonald will assist in the organization of the bottle drive if they are interested. 

Zoning Map Update

Public Hearing to be held February 25, 2019 at 6:45 PM.

Plow Truck Insurance Update

NONE

RESOLUTION NUMBER: 19.02.11.01

A RESOLUTION APPROVING CONSENT TO UTILIZE BANKCARD ASSOCIATES, LLC AND WELLS FARGO BANK NA FOR THIRD PARTY BILLING OF TOWN OF PERU’S WATER & SEWER ONLINE PAYMENT SERVICES 

Motion: Mr. Barber Second: Mr. Douglass

WHEREAS, The Town of Peru for the convenience of their Water and Sewer customers, has agreed to utilize a third-party online bill pay service, and 

WHEREAS, no tax or water bill payer shall be forced to use the online service, but this new service is an option, and

WHEREAS, The Town of Peru agrees to use as a third-party billing Service by Bankcard Associates LLC d/b/a Bill Servicing (“BCA”) and Wells Fargo Bank, NA pursuant to which BCA shall provide credit card processing services described in the Merchant Program Guide to

the Biller relating to online processing of payments for the Town of Peru’s Water and Sewer 

billing and fees paid by the Town’s own municipal government customers at a rate of 3.5% convenience fee.

AND, BE IT

RESOLVED, that this Resolution shall take effect immediately.

Carried: AYES 5 NAYS 0

Sewer Collection Project Update

Mr. Tetrault stated he will be working with AES to check elevations and inspect Elm Street sewer lines.

Letters have been mailed to residents.

Other Business

Mr. Irwin expressed a thank you to Mr. Tetrault and Mr. Farrell for a continued job well done 

with the challenges of the weather.

Mr. Tetrault stated the Vac truck repair has been delayed due to the back arm repair. The new truck is at Carmody location.

Mr. Tetrault stated the water/sewer position has been posted. To date there are 36 interested candidates.  Most do not meet the minimum qualifications.

Public Comments on Agenda Items Only

NONE

Adjourn to Executive Session-

CANCELLED

Return to Regular Session

CANCELLED

Motion by Mr. Douglass seconded by Mr. Barber to adjourn the regular meeting at 7:24 PM.  Ayes 5   Nays 0   Motion Carried

_________________________Supervisor  _________________________Councilman

_________________________Councilman _________________________Councilman

_________________________Councilman

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Blue line outlines the area when zoning classification was changed.

By John T. Ryan

Zoning Map Change Approved; New IT Specialist Hired; Snowplow Insurance Allowance Learned; Six to eight applicants to be Interviewed for Water/Sewer Department Position; Washington Street Road Acceptance Still on Hold; NYS Silent on Main Street Upgrade Project Requests

Peru – The Peru Town Board meeting of Monday, February 25, 2019 was a routine, but important meeting. Acting on a Planning Board recommendation, a pubic hearing and an environmental review the Board approved changing the zoning classification of 8 parcels east of the Town Court Building from a commercial classification to neighborhood commercial. The change will permit more uses including multi-family housing. The Planning Board recommended the change after receiving an application for construction of four 4-plex residential units along an extension to Davey Drive.. Harney Davey owns the property. Davey’s son-in-law Nathan Wilson would be developing the units. Davey Drive would still be a dead-end street. Councilman Rick Barber said he would prefer that Davey Drive loop back to Bear Swamp Road providing better access and improved safety. Eighteen wheelers trying to access Town Court have to park on the Bear Swamp Rd. shoulder. Zoning Officer Bob Guynup pointed out that the street would have to be routed around a wetland. The zoning map change was approved as proposed.

The Board hired Peru resident Tom Lemieux as its new IT specialist replacing Patrick Garsaw who has provided service since March 29, 2017. Garsaw did not have an ongoing contract with the Town and has several other clients. Asked by the Peru Gazette if the counselors have considered hiring a larger company that could provide more than one technician McDonald said the Board considered that a few years ago, but the cost would be $150 to $175 an hour or $40,000 to $70,000 per year, plus mileage. Lemieux, a retired Clinton County employee, will be paid $50 an hour. Counselor Jimmy Langley said the Town will be Lemieux’s only client. The need to hire a new IT specialist had not been made public prior to this meeting.

Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell said the Town’s insurance carrier will allow $66,290 for the snowplow that was totaled in a January 4, 2019 rollover accident on the steep Patent Road hill leading to the St. Patrick’s Oratory/Mother Cabrini Shrine. A replacement truck will cost about $211,000.

Water/Sewer/Parks Superintendent Courtney Tetrault reported that he will be interviewing 6 to 8 people for the open Water-Sewer Department position. More than 50 applications were received; however, very few met the job qualifications requirements. No applicants are NYS licensed water/sewer plant operators. Three applicants have a four-year college degree.

Supervisor McDonald said there’s no news on the shoulder-sidewalk width dispute between Washington Street developer William Sawyer and the Town of Peru. He said, “They withdrew their last request and said they would get back to us.” Meanwhile, Peru’s only new major development is in limbo.

The New York State has not responded to Peru’s request to extend the time to use its Main Street improvement grant and to exempt the Town from the State’s minority participation requirements. The requests were made last fall. Supervisor McDonald and Counselor Jim Douglass told the Gazette that contact is being made with NYS officials.

The meeting concluded at about 7:45 p.m. when the Board adjourned to an Executive Session for personnel matters.

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From the Office of Congresswoman Elise Stefanik

Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Elise Stefanik and Rep. Val Demings (D-FL) introduced the Vladimir Putin Transparency Act. This bipartisan legislation instructs U.S. intelligence to collect and submit a report to Congress on Putin and his allies’ financial assets and secretive networks.

“Putin and his political allies seek to weaken democracies worldwide by consolidating their political control through unethical means,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “I am proud to cosponsor this bill which aims to identify Putin and his allies for who they are: nefarious political actors undermining democracies.”

Rep. Stefanik and Rep. Demings also introduced the bipartisan Defend Against Russian Disinformation Act last Congress, which strengthens America’s response to Russian interference in our elections.

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