The Peru Gazette

Our March 16 workshop, Gardening in a Changing Climate, will cover ways to cope with weather events by planning in advance. Last year we had a period of drought that forced many of us to choose what to water and what to let fend for itself. This is one example of conditions that make gardening more challenging. Let’s meet the challenge by using techniques that give our gardens the extra help they may need to thrive.

The workshop is held at the Cornell Cooperative Extension office, 6064 State Route 22, Suite 5, from 10:00 to noon. Pre-registration is required as space is limited. There is a $5 fee for this workshop. Contact Jolene Wallace at jmw442@cornell.edu or 518 561-7450 with questions or to register.

Source: State lawmakers can’t confirm Altona prison closure rumors | Local News | pressrepublican.com

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PLATTSBURGH, NY – The Strand Center for the Arts is thrilled to announce that its Annual High School & Middle School Exhibition will be opening in the SCA Main Gallery at 23 Brinkerhoff Street in Plattsburgh.  The opening reception for this exhibition will be held Friday, April 5, 2019 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The exhibition will be on view from April 5 through April 26, 2019 and is free and open to the public. 

Yearly, The Strand Center for the Arts invites schools from Clinton, Essex, and Franklin Counties to participate in this juried show. Participating schools for the 2019 competition include Beekmantown Central School, Brushton Moira Central High School, Chazy Central Rural School, Plattsburgh Central School, Saranac Central School, and AuSable Valley Central School. 

Awards will be given to students in the media categories of drawing, painting, sculpture (3D), ceramics, mixed media, photography/design and printmaking. Jurors for the awards are well acquainted with the arts and include sculptor and educator, Logan Brody; painter, Marilyn Kretser; and photographer, William, “Willy” Price. 

The Annual High School & Middle School Exhibition will be opening in the SCA Main Gallery at 23 Brinkerhoff Street in Plattsburgh in April. The opening reception for this exhibition will be held Friday, April 5, 2019 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The exhibit will be on view at the SCA Main Gallery from April 5 through April 26, 2019 and is free and open to the public. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday from 10:00 am to 6:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 10:00 am to 2:00 p.m.  For more information on this and other events, please visit The Strand Center for the Arts website at www.strandcenter.org or email david.monette@strandcenter.org.

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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.”

Source: Fire knocked down at Rainbow Wedding Hall in Altona | News | pressrepublican.com

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.

Source: Fire badly damage Henry’s Pools in Plattsburgh | News | pressrepublican.com

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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