The Peru Gazette

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Peru Gazette photo

The Keeseville-Peru Ecumenical Choir will be performing two concerts to celebrate its 53^rd Anniversary.  The first concert will be Saturday, December 15, 2018, at St. Augustine’s Church in Peru at 7:30pm. The second concert will be Sunday, December 16, 2018, at St. John the Baptist Church in Keeseville at 7:30pm. The choir is directed by Jeanette Woodruff and accompanied by Steve Collier. The choir will also be accompanied on several selections by a handbell choir. Admission is free.

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From the Office of Asemblyman Billy Jones

Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay) reaffirmed that addressing constituent issues and concerns will remain a top priority in 2019.

“My job is to be the North Country’s voice in Albany,” Jones said. “I’ll always stick up for my neighbors and friends, and I’m committed to ensuring all of our families can grow and thrive. I’ll never stop fighting to protect our values, resolve problems and deliver results for the North Country.”

During his first full legislative session in 2017-18, Assemblyman Jones reviewed and responded to over 2,000 legislative concerns from residents. He drove more than 45,000 miles to meet with constituents across the North Country and hosted 84 town halls and community meetings to learn more about the issues facing the community and discuss possible solutions. Residents can learn more about upcoming town halls by visiting www.nyassembly.gov/Jones.

As the 2019 legislative session approaches, Jones hopes to surpass this year’s numbers and help even more North Country families. His office can help community members obtain benefits, government forms and applications, answer questions about state government and address community issues.

Jones can be reached at 518-562-1986 or by emailing JonesB@nyassembly.gov. Members of the press should direct questions and requests to Communications Coordinator Katie Cantwell at cantwellk@nyassembly.gov.

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Barber Welcomed; “Children at Play” Signs Come Down; Bosley Appointed to Zoning Board; and More 

The Peru Town Board conducted a regular meetin on Monday, December 10, 2018

Supervisor Brandy McDonald welcomed Rick Barber to the Town Board. Barber was elected in November to fill the remaining year in Brandy McDonald’s counselor term.  When McDonald was elected as Town Supervisor he gave up his counselor seat.  Republicans (Barber, Jim Langley and Melvin Irwin) now have a 3 to 2 majority on the Board. 

Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell reported that at the recommendation of a NYS insurance representative all “Children at Play” signs have been removed. Farrell said NYS believes the signs encourage children to play in the street. A Cornell University website stated: 

NYS Supplement guidance for this sign is as follows:

“Use of the CHILDREN AT PLAY sign should be limited to locations where, because of unusual conditions, motorists might not expect children to be playing in the vicinity of the roadway. The CHILDREN AT PLAY sign should not be used on highways where obvious residential development alerts drivers to the possibility of children at play.”

Studies have found that excessive use of this sign causes drivers to develop an insensitivity to the sign’s intended goal. It is recommended to use this sign only in limited critical situations…The use of Children at Play signs should only be used when there is an engineering need to do so. They should NOT be used for political reasons, or to appease vocal residents.”

The Board appointed James Bosley to the Zoning Board of Appeals to replace Dwane Bast who resigned his position. Bosley’s term will end on December 31, 2019. 

Trespasz & Marquardt, LLP was chosen as the Town’s legal counsel for the short and long-term borrowing related to the upcoming sewer system upgrade. The Board also approved a resolution authorizing a $4,030,070 bond to finance the project. 

The Board authorized a principal payment of $5,000 and the renewal of a $126,000 bond anticipation note to finance purchase of the new Town Court building. 

Prior to tonight’s meeting the Board participated in a 45-minute workshop with its IT consultant Patrick Garsow who made several recommendations involving equipment upgrades and internet security. The Board will consider his recommendations, all of which cost money. 

Supervisor McDonald thanked everyone associated with the November 30th Christmas Tree lighting including: Judy Akey who organized the event and her family who assisted her, Jim Douglass the MC, the Water & Sewer Department personnel who erected the lights, Dan and Linda Covel who donated the tree for the second consecutive year, Dunkin Donuts for the hot chocolate and donuts, Julie Burdo and Bob Akey who assisted Santa, the Peru Fire Department that transported Santa and the Peru Community Church which hosted the party. 

Henceforth, monies collected in the Zoning/Codes Office accompanied by a copy of the receipt given to the payee will be given to the Town Clerk at the close of each week. The Town Clerk will, in turn, issue a receipt to the Zoning/Codes Office. Town Clerk Dianne Miller researched the proper procedure with the Association of Towns. 

The online crowd-funding drive to improve the Sullivan Park ice rink raised $13,079.  When the monies are received the Highway Department will be reimbursed for paving and making other upgrades to the rink.  

The Clinton County Health Department has recommended that the Town acquire a generator to power the Town Hall during power outages. People with certain medical equipment need access to electricity during a widespread power outage. 

By John T. Ryan

Peru – There may be litigation between the Town of Peru and Washington Street developer William Sawyer. Town Attorney Matt Favro will represent the Town in legal proceedings at his normal rate of $175 an hour.

The pending proceedings revolve around road shoulders and sidewalk width. Three years ago the Peru Planning Board approved William Sawyer’s application to extend Washington Street and to construct 13 additional homes. Sawyer would bear the cost of all roads and utilities. Town officials say that the Planning Board’s minutes state that Sawyer was directed to construct a 20-ft. wide road with 2 ft. wide paved shoulders. Highway Superintend Michael Farrell said he wants paved shoulders because of complaints he received from Washington Street residents when Town snow plows tore up their lawns.

In early October of this year Sawyer constructed a 20-ft. wide road, only it has 2-ft. wide gravel shoulders rather than paved shoulders. Sawyer maintains that he was not informed of paved shoulder requirement and that Farrell gave the gravel shoulders his blessing after arriving at the job-site and not being able to produce written evidence of the requirement. Farrell said his computer had crashed. Several days later the letter was found, but the pavement was down. The Town Board has taken the position that Sawyer’s representative was informed of the paved shoulder requirement; therefore, it should have been followed.  Because the Town will not accept the road, a Certificate of Occupancy will not be issued for the home under construction.

Sidewalk width is also at issue. Michael Farrell stated that the American Disabilities Act (ADA) requires a 5 ft. wide sidewalk. Sawyer constructed a 4 ft.-wide sidewalk. The ADA does require 5 ft. sidewalks, but there are provisions for 4 ft. wide sidewalks with passing areas every few hundred feet. The installed sidewalk does not have passing areas.

During the public comment portion of the Monday, September 10, 2018 Town Board meeting Peru Gazette Editor John Ryan/ Peru resident commented that he was in the process of writing a story on the issue. He recalled moving to Peru in part because of its excellent housing developments like Quaker Springs and later Quaker Highlands, Ormsby Circle. These projects brought hundreds of families to Peru who pay taxes and purchase local goods and services. He pointed to the tens of thousands of dollars of tax and water/sewer revenues derived from the 21 homes Sawyer has already constructed on Washington Street. Thirteen additional homes would mean even more dollars in the Town’s coffers at a time when Peru is borrowing $4 million to upgrade its sewage system.

Ryan also contended that Peru is competing with the Towns of Plattsburgh and Beekmantown for new residents. Neither Plattsburgh nor Beekmantown require paved shoulders. Sawyer is currently completing a 21-unit subdivision in the Town of Plattsburgh. It does not have paved shoulders, nor will the streets for 40 more homes he is planning.

Ryan urged to Board to look at the big picture in their deliberations. William Sawyer is the only developer who has expressed any interest projects in Peru at this time. Sawyer said he has invested about $300,000 on the Washington Street expansion to date; however, given what he perceives as Peru’s hostile attitude, he may say goodby to Peru. Washington Street is part of the 75-acre Orchard View subdivision. When this phase is completed there will still be room for twenty-seven more homes.

Following Ryan’s remarks, Town Supervisor Brandy McDonald commented, “We’re trying to figure it out and make it work.” Later the Board adjourned to an executive session to learn about discussions between Michael Farrell and Sawyer’s representative. Town Supervisor Brandy McDonald said the Board has asked its contract engineer Peter Gibbs to study the issue. Future meetings with Sawyer or his representatives are scheduled.

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A Public Hearing of the Peru Town Board was held on Monday,November 26,2018 at the Peru Town Hall.  Those present were Mr. Brandy McDonald Supervisor; Mr. James Douglass, Councilman; Mr. James Langley, Councilman; Mr. Melvin Irwin, 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.

The Purpose of the Public Hearing was to discuss the JOINT INCREASE & IMPROVEMENT OF FACILITIES OF PERU SEWER DISTRICT #1..

The Public Hearing was called to order at 6:45 PM by Mr. McDonald, with the Pledge of Allegiance.  

Motion by Mr. Langley seconded by Mr. Douglass to open the Public Hearing on the the JOINT INCREASE & IMPROVEMENT OF FACILITIES OF PERU SEWER DISTRICT #1.    

Ayes 4 Nays 0 Motion Carried

Community Input and Questions

NONE

Motion by Mr. Langley, seconded by Mr. Irwin to close the Public Hearing.

 4 Ayes 0 Nays Motion Carried

Motion by Mr. McDonald , seconded by Mr. Douglass adjourn Public Hearing at 6:47 PM.

4 Ayes 0 Nays

_________________________Supervisor  ________________________Councilman

_________________________Councilman ________________________Councilman

_________________________Councilman

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Families Encouraged to Register Early for Camps

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos announced today that online registration for DEC’s 2019 Summer Camps program will open Wednesday, January 23, 2019, at 10:00 a.m. Applications should be submitted through the online registration program available through the Summer Camps webpage. Parents and guardians are encouraged to register early since some of the weeks fill up quickly.

“For more than 70 years DEC’s Summer Camps program has been introducing New York’s youth to the outdoors to learn about the natural world and our place in it,” said Commissioner Seggos. “DEC’s camps provide opportunities for adventure and an education that is preparing the next generation to become active stewards for our natural resources. Children can hike, canoe and camp overnight as part of their weeklong experience.”

Now in its 72nd year, the Summer Camps program offers week-long adventures in conservation education for children ages 11-17. DEC operates four residential camps for children: Camp Colby in Saranac Lake (Franklin County); Camp DeBruce in Livingston Manor (Sullivan County); Camp Rushford in Caneadea (Allegany County), and Pack Forest in Warrensburg (Warren County).

Introduced in 2017, camps Colby and DeBruce are offering two weeks of programing for children aged 14-17, and five weeks of programming for ages 11-13. Camp Pack Forest will continue to host children aged 14-17 for six weeks and ages 11-13 for two weeks. Camp Rushford will continue to offer two weeks of programming for children aged 14-17 and five weeks of programming for ages 11-13. The complete schedule of camp weeks and ages is available on the Summer Camps webpage.

Campers will have the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of outdoor adventures and are encouraged to try new things. Activities may include fishing, bird watching, fly-tying, archery, canoeing, hiking, camping, orienteering, and hunter safety education. Read more »

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The Clinton County Historical Association Museum, 98 Ohio Avenue, will be closed December 19, 20, 21, 27, 28  and January 2.  The museum will be open from 10 am to 3 pm on December 22, 26 and 29 and will reopen January 3 for the winter, Wednesday to Saturday, 10 am to 3 pm.

From the Office of Congresswoman Elise Stefanik

Washington, D.C. — Today, Reps. Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21), Lee Zeldin (R-NY-1), Peter King (R-NY-2), and Tom Reed (R-NY-23) sent a letter requesting that the Department of Justice investigate the New York State Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs’ failure to protect individuals with disabilities and Medicaid recipients who have died under state care, including nine who died while in state care in Suffolk County since 2013.

Dozens of allegations related to staff abuses, patient neglect, sexual assaults and even patient deaths have been reported over the last few years, yet the New York State Justice Center, which is authorized to investigate all reports of abuse and neglect, pursue administrative sanctions against staff found responsible for misconduct, and prosecute criminal offenses through its Special Prosecutor/Inspector General sharing jurisdiction with local district attorneys, has consistently failed to perform these responsibilities and continues to operate without any added oversight or scrutiny. Since its inception in 2013, the Center has failed to take meaningful steps to address systematic failures, and as such, it is critical the Department of Justice investigate.     Read more »

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