The Peru Gazette

L-R Leaders Chantel Gelwick and Nicole Curtis.

Peru Daisy/Brownie troop 4203 has been working on giving back to our community. In October the troop collected cold weather items to donate to the Red Cross. In November the troop collected items to donate to the Peru Food Shelf. The girls are in grades K-2.

Source: Peru family brings newspaper on trip to ‘Last Frontier’ state | News | pressrepublican.com

By John T. Ryan

Peru – Peru has its 2019 town budget in place. The Town Board approved the budget at its Thursday, November 15, 2018 meeting. Tax rates will remain stable while maintaining services. Supervisor Brandy McDonald called it a great budget. He expressed thanks to the counselors, department heads and especially to his confidential secretary Pamela Barber who guided him through the process. This is McDonald’s first year as budget officer.

The Town of Peru and Washington Street Extension developer William Sawyer are at loggerheads over the street’s sidewalk width and the street’s unpaved shoulders. Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell stated that he specified a 5 ft. wide sidewalk and a 24 ft. wide street including two feet of paved shoulder. Sawyer constructed a 4 ft. wide sidewalk and a 20 ft. wide street with 2 ft. wide stone-based shoulders. Sawyer maintains he was not informed of these requirements. Farrell will not accept the road as a town road until his requirements are satisfied. Code Enforcement Officer Bob Guynup stated that he cannot issue a Certificate of Occupancy for the home under construction on the street until Farrell accepts the street. Farrell and Sawyer met this past Monday, but could not reach an agreement. A court fight would be expensive for both parties.

The Board accepted a bid of $32,707.51 from Carmody Ford Inc. of Greenwich, NY for a 2019 Ford F-250, four-wheel drive crew cab truck for the Water and Sewer Department.

A lease agreement with Riley Ford of Chazy for a 2018 Ford Escape to be used by the Code Enforcement Officer was approved. Riley’s price was about $3,800 less than a competitor. Riley Ford took the officer’s Jeep truck in trade allowing $2,500. The total cost after trade-in will be $10,163.

104 Peru property owners are not up to date on their 2018 water and/or sewer bills in the amount of $56,920.70. The Board approved the re-levy list meaning the amounts owed, plus a 10% penalty will be added to the property owners’ property taxes. When questioned by Counselor Melvin Irwin, Supervisor Brandy McDonald said, “This happens every year. I’ve seen it higher and I’ve seen it lower. We will get the money.” Several bills involve multi-family dwellings.

A public hearing was scheduled for November 26, 2018 at 6:45 p.m. The project is being funded by a grant from Environmental Facilities Corp and a low interest loan from USDA Rural Development. The hearing is to “hear” from the public on the project.  It is required because a NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation low interest loan is financing the project.

The Board will hold an IT workshop on December 10, 2018 at 6:15 p.m. to discuss suggested upgrades to the town’s IT system.

NYS has not responded to the Town’s request for an extension of time to complete the Main street upgrade project.

A $3,825 Youth Department inter-fund transfer was approved. The funds will be used to purchase clay for Laphams Mills Park.

Clinton County has closed the Davern Road bridge near the River Road. Several months ago the bridge was deemed unsafe for heavy vehicles. Since a snow plow exceeds the safe weight, the bridge has been closed. The bridge had been scheduled to be replaced last summer. Hopefully, it will be replaced in the summer of 2019.

The Highway Department’s new trailer has arrived and has been licensed.

Two new Highway Department employees will be driving snow plows.

Avoiding snow plow damage to mailboxes is always a challenge. When a mailbox is legally installed and damaged as a result of being struck by a Town plow, the Town will replace it. The Town does not replace mailboxes damaged by plowed snow.

Editor’s Note: The paragraph on the November 26th public hearing was corrected and clarified on November 29, 2018.

CLICK HERE FOR OCT. 2018 DEPT REPORTS

Please be advised that Jennie-O Turkey Sales, LLC has recently issued a recall of it’s raw ground turkey products that may be associated with an illness outbreak of Salmonella.

Of these products Tops Friendly Markets ONLY carried minimal quantities of:

Jennie O Italian Seasoned Ground Turkey with a use by date of 10/2/18
Jennie O Taco Seasoned Turkey with a use by date of 10/2/18

This recall does NOT impact any other Jennie O product currently carried by Tops stores.

Customers who may have purchased these items from our stores will be receiving a call alerting them of the recall. Those with questions re: the recall can contacJennie-O Consumer Engagement Team at 1-800-621-3505.

By John T. Ryan

The regular meeting of the Peru Town Board was held on Monday, October 29, 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; Mr. Matthew Favro, Town Attorney; Mrs. Dianne Miller, Town Clerk.  Also present Mr. Courtney Tetrault, Water/Sewer Superintendent; Mr. Michael Farrell, Highway Superintendent; Mr. Bob Guynup, Zoning Officer; Ms. Pamela Barber, Secretary to the Board Mr. James Kirby, Town Justice; :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 October 11, 2018 meeting.  

Ayes 4 Nays 0 Motion Carried

Community Input and Questions

Kregg Bruno congratulated The Town Board and Pam Barber on the excellent job on the 2019 budget.

Marquee Moffitt asked for clarification on the solar power farm. Information is still being gathered. Ms. Moffitt would like to serve on the ad hoc committee.

A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE CONTRACT FROM TEDFORD CONSULTING TO FURTHER THE SEWER COLLECTION SYSTEM FISCAL COORDINATION WORK 

RESOLUTION NUMBER: 18.10.29.1

MOTION BY:  Mr. Douglass                   SECOND BY: Mr. Langley  

WHEREAS, the Town of Peru has determined that the Peru Sewer District Collection System Upgrade Project needs to move forward and the Town seeks to obtain grant and low interest loan funds to assist in the reducing the cost of the project to the sewer district; and

WHEREAS, the Town recognizes that work, generally including, perpetration of funding applications and documentation, will move the project forward while the town secures said grants and low interest loans is required; and

WHEREAS, Liz Tedford Consulting has proposed to complete portions of the above work for a rate of $75.00 per hour, not to exceed cost of $23,858.00 as set forth in the Project Budget for Fiscal Coordination; now therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board accepts the contract from Liz Tedford, of Tedford Consulting for the above referenced work.

AND, BE IT

RESOLVED, that this Resolution shall take effect immediately.

Carried: 4 Ayes 0 Nays                                                                    

Peru Sewer Collection System Upgrade Project

A Public Informational Meeting has been set for November 15, 2018 at 6:00 PM at the Town Hall.  Letters are being distributed to residents within close proximity of the project prior to the meeting. 

Acceptance of Resignation of Beth Lozier from Peru Youth Commission

Motion by Mr. Douglass seconded by Mr. Irwin

Mr. Langley expressed concern that the issues of the resignation needs to be addressed as Youth Commission Board Members are volunteers and that the Town is not doing right by them without further discussion.

Motion Tabled

Acceptance of Resignation of Carrie Smith from Youth Commission

Motion by Mr. McDonald, seconded by Mr. Langley to table for further discussion

Ayes 4 Nays 0 Motion Carried Read more »

Richard Clarke Jr. of Peru convicted.

Source: Pedophile faces up to 92 years to life | Local News | pressrepublican.com

Nov. 16, 2018 – The snow stopped about 9:45 a.m. with an unofficial 10 inches on the ground.

Source: ‘Escape’ unlocked in North Country premiere | Local News | pressrepublican.com

Source: The Dannemora prison escape, through middle schoolers’ eyes | NCPR News

Heather Marvin of Peru was the recipient of a merit-based academic scholarship at Hudson Valley Community College.

Each year, high-achieving students from 85 academic programs at the Troy, NY college are chosen for scholarship funding.

Marvin, who is studying in the Emergency Medical Technician – Paramedic academic program, received the Lt. Michael T. Hynes Memorial Scholarship and Otto V. Guenther Scholarship. Students are selected for these competitive scholarships by donors, faculty and departmental administrative staff.

Founded in 1953, Hudson Valley Community College offers 85 degree and certificate programs in four schools: Business; Engineering and Industrial Technologies; Health Sciences; and Liberal Arts and Sciences; and workforce and academic preparation programs offered through the Educational Opportunity Center. One of 30 community colleges in the State University of New York system, it has an enrollment of nearly 11,500 students, and it is known as a leader in distance learning initiatives and worker retraining. Hudson Valley has more than 80,000 alumni.

By John T. Ryan 

Peru – The Peru Town Board will vote on the preliminary 2019 town budget at its Thursday, November 15, 2018 meeting. The budget is under the NYS tax cap and tax rates will remain stable. Most property owners will see an overall tax increase because assessed propety values increased by about 3% a few months ago. 

The General Fund tax rate will increase from $2.27 to $2.36 per thousand dollars of taxable value. The Highway rate will decrease from $2.53/M to $2.45/M. Water rates will decrease from $2.28/M to $2.20/M. Sewer rates will decrease from $.25/M to $.23/M. The Valcour sewer residential rate decreases from $.37/M to $.34/M. The Valcour sewer commercial rate increases from $.47/M to $.57/M. 

General Fund expenditures are budgeted at $1,621,890 up from $1,491,035 in 2018. All employees and elected officials with the exception of the Town Supervisor will received a 2.5% salary increase (Supervisor Brandy McDonald declined a salary increase). The General Fund pays for items such as town court, town board, town clerk, buildings, engineering, street lighting, recreation, parks and cemeteries, planning, zoning, data processing, dog control, assessor and the salary of the highway superintendent. 

General Budget Employees: 

7  Elected part-time 

1  Elected full-time highway superintendent 

8  Full-time (5 – Town Hall, 1 – Court and 2 – Parks) 

4 – Part-time 

33 – Part-time youth summer employees

Highway Department expenditures total $1,636,568 up from $1,627,153 in 2018. Primary highway expenses include: road repair; snow removal, capital outlay for paving and such items as new trucks, machinery repair and maintenance. 

Highway Department Employees: 

7 – Full-time 

Water and Sewer Department Employees:  

4 – Full-time including superintendent 

Click here to view the 2019 budget to be voted on

PLATTSBURGH, NY – The Strand Center for the Arts is excited to announce Peacherine Ragtime Society Orchestra, will be performing at the Strand Center Theatre at 25 Brinkerhoff Street, Plattsburgh. Saturday, December 8th, 2018 at 7:00 p.m.

Travel back to the early 1900s and experience Christmas At the Silent Movies with the Peacherine Ragtime Society Orchestra! Peacherine, “the premier American ragtime ensemble” as hailed by The Washington Post, will bring tears of laughter to your eyes as you laugh out loud to holiday-themed silent films from the turn of the last century: Buster Keaton in The Frozen North, Laurel & Hardy in Big Business, and the first-ever film adaptations of A Christmas Carol and The Night Before Christmas, all accompanied live with the original historic orchestral scores! Between the films, hear and sing-along to classic holiday favorites, including a trombone parody of the famous Hallelujah Chorus! Fun for the whole family! For more information please visit peacherineragtime.com. Call 518-563-1604 or visit www.strandcenter.org

This one-night-only show will be at the Strand Center Theatre at 25 Brinkerhoff Street in Plattsburgh on Saturday, December 8th, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets prices, $10-20. The Strand Center for the Arts’ member discount applies.  The prices for all tickets increase $5 on the day of the show. All ticket sales, including service fees, are final and non-refundable.

For tickets and more information on this and upcoming events, exhibits, concerts, or classes happening at The Strand Center for the Arts, please call 518-563-1604 (ext. 105) or visit www.strandcenter.org.

Source: North Country priests removed for sex offenses include men once considered model clergy | NCPR News

The 2018 regular deer and bear hunting seasons in New York’s Southern Zone begin at sunrise on Saturday, Nov. 17, and continue through Sunday, Dec. 9. The Southern Zone regular season is New York’s most popular hunting season, with an estimated 85 percent of New York’s nearly 600,000 licensed hunters participating. This season accounts for nearly 60 percent of the total statewide deer harvest and 30 to 60 percent of the statewide bear harvest.

Following the regular deer and bear seasons in the Southern Zone, late bowhunting and muzzleloading seasons run from Dec. 10 through Dec. 18. Hunters taking part in these special seasons must possess a hunting license and either bowhunting or muzzleloading privileges.

Source: Prison tailor shop supervisor gets jail time | Local News | pressrepublican.com

Source: No fairy tale ending to inmate intimacy | Local News | pressrepublican.com

Source: BHSN adds primary care to Center for Wellbeing | Local News | pressrepublican.com

Dear Editor:

There is no doubt that the North Country is known for the giving spirit of the people that live here.  It never ceases to amaze me how this community comes together for a common goal, even in the toughest of times.  Although there are many worthy causes to support in our area, there are few that affect the number and variety of that impacted by the annual United Way campaign.  

Our local United Way supports 40 member agencies.  These agencies are staples in our North Country community, ones that most of us could not imagine life in our area without.  The Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, YMCA, Senior Citizens Council, Champlain Valley Family Center, Alzheimer’s Disease Assistance Center, and Hospice, to name just a few, rely on the support of the United Way to continue to provide their much needed services in our area.

This year the United Way has a goal of $725,000-a goal that can only be reached by all of us coming together as our North Country community always has.  A gift to the United Way does not have to be large in order to make a difference.  If everyone gives just a little, it is amazing how quickly it all adds up.  Find out if your employer does payroll deduction to the United Way-the easiest way to give over time.  If this is not available to you, please consider a gift, in any amount, to our United Way of the Adirondack Region, Inc. at 45 Tom Miller Road, Plattsburgh, NY  12901.  Remember that every dollar brings us a step closer to providing services to all walks of life in our community.  

We all know someone that has been touched by the United Way and its 40 member agencies.  Let’s not let them down….let’s show everyone that even in the toughest of times, the generosity of the people of the North Country will always shine.

Thank you, in advance, for your generous support.

Sincerely,

Nicole Cline

Town of Jay  

AGENDA – TOWN BOARD REGULAR MEETING

NOVEMBER 15, 2018 @ 7:00 PM

1. Call Meeting To Order

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Roll Call

4. MOTION:  Approval of Minutes for the Town Board Regular Meeting of October 29, 2018, Special Board Meeting of November 5, 2018 and Public Hearing of November 7, 2018.

5. MOTION/DISCUSSION:  To Accept reports from all Departments: (Water/Sewer/Valcour; Highway; Town Clerk; Dog Control; Youth Department; Code/Zoning; Supervisor’s Report; Court; Website; JCEO; and Banking Reports)

6. Community Input

7. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  To Accept the Preliminary Budget as the 2019 Final Budget.

8. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  To Accept Bid from Carmody Ford Inc. for W/S Truck.

9. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  To Accept Bid from Riley Ford to Lease Codes Vehicle. 

10. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  To Approve the 2019 Water Sewer Relevy list.

11. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  To Schedule Public Hearing on the Public Interest Order for the Sewer Project.

12. DISCUSSION:  Schedule IT Workshop.

13. DISCUSSION:  Other Business.

14. DISCUSSION:  Public Comments on Agenda Items Only.     

MOTION:     Adjourn

Source: Watertown Daily Times | Ogdensburg diocese releases names of priests implicated in abuse

Peru Soup Kitchen Menu for Wednesday, November 14, 2018 at St. Augustine’s Parish Center. 4:30 pm. to 5:45 p.m.

Fruit cup
Turkey/Gravy
Mashed Potatoes
Stuffing
Squash
Pumpkin Pie

Source: Upstate secessionists ramp up efforts ahead of Democratic takeover of Legislature – Capitol Confidential