The Peru Gazette

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.

Source: Stefanik breaks with Trump, votes against national emergency declaration | NCPR News

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Source: Adirondack scientists document climate change impacts on wildlife, human health | NCPR News

As you plan for the week ahead, please set aside an hour of your Thursday evening to join us at Peru Town Hall for our February meeting. Our political calendar here in NY State has changed and we must jump into action this week in order to help the Democratic Party thrive in Peru and beyond.

Join us at 7 pm on Thursday, Feb 28th at Peru Town Hall to learn about the changes to the political calendar, what they mean for us here in Peru, and how we can work together for success in the 2019 election season.

Public Meetings to Be Held Across the State February 26 through March 27

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced an upcoming series of public meetings to provide stakeholders with the opportunity to offer input on the Forest Tax Law Program’s Section 480a. The purpose of these meetings is to discuss areas of the program that could be improved including increasing compliance, reducing administrative burdens, and improving forestry outcomes.

“New York’s forests provide scenic beauty, forest products, wildlife habitat, clean water, and clean air,” said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. “Forests are also integral to the uptake and storage of carbon and are a critical component in addressing the threats posed by climate change. The 480a program helps private forest landowners, which own 75 percent of New York’s forests, and these meetings provide an opportunity to help DEC enhance the program and its benefit to all New Yorkers.”

The Forest Tax Law was enacted in 1974 to give forest landowners with 50 acres or more of qualifying land in New York State an incentive for the “continued production of forest crops.” Currently, there are more than 3,400 forest landowners and more than 1.2 million acres of private forest land enrolled in the program. The changes under consideration would address the Real Property Tax Law Section 480a and would not alter the annual tax benefit, stumpage tax, commitment period or penalties for non-compliance.

State Forester Robert Davies said, “The 480a program provides property tax incentives to encourage private forest landowners to maintain healthy forests for the many benefits they provide to New York State communities. We sincerely hope that current enrollees and other interested stakeholders join us for this important discussion to improve the efficiency and benefits offered by this program.”

Landowners and private consulting foresters participating in the 480a program and any interested parties are encouraged to attend one of the eight public meetings that will be offered across the state. DEC will also host a webinar for those who cannot participate in-person.

The public meetings schedule is as follows:

February 26, 2019, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Finger Lakes Community College
Room 2185, Stage 14
3325 Marvin Sands Drive
Canandaigua, NY 14424 Read more »

For the past 13 years, Peru Central School District has organized a Budget Advisory Committee (BAC) that has served to inform and promote school & community discussion concurrent with the District’s budget development process.

The BAC typically meets in order to develop an understanding of revenues and expenditures, components of a balanced budget, and particular challenges that face the District.  Traditionally, the BAC has formulated recommendations for Board consideration to assist the Board and administration.

At this time, the BAC is scheduled to meet in the Jr/Sr High School Community Room at 6:00 PM on Wednesday, February 27^th and Thursday, March 14^th.  In addition to these informational sessions, the BAC will be invited to share their recommendations with the Board during a public budget development workshop, on the evening of Tuesday, March 19^th.

If you wish to participate in any of the meetings of the BAC, please register by calling (518) 643-6004 or emailing kdevins@perucsd.org.  Thank you.

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The Clinton County Historical Association is pleased to announce the officers and members of the CCHA Board of Trustees for 2019.  Officers are: Geri Favreau, President; Jerry Gagnier, Vice-President; William D. Laundry, Treasurer; and Jan Couture, Secretary. Trustees are: Sue Coffey; John Crotty; Luke Cyphers; Heidi Dennis; Kevin Farrington; and Mary Nicknish.  The Association is committed to collecting, preserving and sharing Clinton County History.  The museum is open year round from Wednesdays through Saturdays, 10 am to 3 pm.  Groups and researchers are welcome.

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Thursday, March 7, 6:30 pm

Old Base Museum Campus

98 Ohio Avenue, Plattsburgh

Back by popular demand is “Connections with History” at Clinton County Historical Association, 98 Ohio Avenue, Old Base Museum Campus, Plattsburgh, on March 7, at 6:30 pm. This illustrated talk covers our U.S. Presidents and other important historical figures who have visited Clinton County and their connections with each other.

With historic photos from the Clinton County Historical Association and the National Archives, presenter Roger Black will take you on a journey from 1897 when President William McKinley and Vice President Garret Hobart vacationed at the Hotel Champlain at Bluff Point through visits by William Howard Taft and Teddy Roosevelt to Cliff Haven and Plattsburgh.

The story will also include connections with the Spanish American War and the U.S. invasion of Cuba and Plattsburgh’s involvement in training troops for World War I.

The event is free and open to the public.

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Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Stefanik announced Lake Champlain Basin Program grants awarded to projects in our region to ensure the future of the Lake Champlain watershed remains intact. Congresswoman Stefanik was the lead Republican who worked to secure support for this funding in the House Appropriations process. She was able to nearly double the amount secured.

The organizations and communities in New York that received funding are as follows:

• Lake George Association – $86,227 for I-87 Asphalt Swale Replacement & Ditch Improvements
• Lake George Association – $18,446 for Installation of Precast Pervious Concrete in the Village of Lake George
• Ausable River Association – $12,285 for Developing a Riparian Restoration Protocol for the Ausable Watershed
• Town of Keene – $7,316 for Road Salt Reduction Program
• Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District – $19,995 for Quaker Road MS4 Stormwater and Habitat Improvement Project

“Congratulations to each of the New York communities that received grant money from the Lake Champlain Basin Program,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “This funding gives communities the ability to research, protect, and maintain the Lake Champlain watershed, and is vital to its future. I was one of the two leading voices in Congress to ensure support for this critical funding, and I’m proud to advocate for the environmental interests of the North Country at every opportunity I can.”

This grant money is supported with funds provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Great Lakes Fishery Commission, and National Park Service. To read more about the Lake Champlain Basin Program, click here.

Source: Audio Postcard: Even in winter, Ausable Marsh is full of life and color | NCPR News

Peru Central’s Board of Education will hold its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, February 26, 2019 at 5:00 PM in the Jr/Sr High School Community Room.  It is anticipated that an executive session will take place immediately following the 5:00 PM start, and that the school board will reconvene for public session business at approximately 7:00 PM.  Anticipated topics include:

• Budget Workshop #1
• Capital Project Update
• CHISEL Program
• Appointment of Personnel

The full agenda is available on the District’s website.

All are welcome.

Sherri Provost
Peru CSD
District Office

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ZONING MAP UPDATE

FEBRUARY 25, 2019

6:45 PM

Editor’s Note: The Zoning Map “UPDATE” involves changing the zoning classification of property east of the Peru Town Court from commercial to neighborhood commercial, thereby permitting the construction of 4 ea. 4-plexes adjacent to a proposed Davey Drive extension.

1. Call Meeting To Order

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Roll Call

4. MOTION:       To Open the Public Hearing.

5. DISCUSSION:  Community Input and Questions

6. MOTION:      To Close the Public Hearing.

7. MOTION:        Adjourn