The Peru Gazette

Source: Quick knockdown saves Cliff Haven home | News | pressrepublican.com

For the past 13 years, Peru CSD 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. 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.

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.

State Senator Betty Little is administered the oath of office by Janet DiFiore, Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals, in the New York State Senate Chamber on Wednesday, January 9. Little was joined her son, David, and grandson, Matthew, holding the Bible.

Little begins her 9th term in the State Senate, where she will serve as the ranking member on the Education Committee, as well as on the Rules, Finance, Health, Environmental Conservation, Housing Committees, New York City Education and Women’s Health Committees.

Peru residents on SUNY Plattsburgh Dean’s List: Erin Backlas, Emily Beaudette, Grace Betrus, James Blaise, Emily Bowen, Bryanna Brown, Amelia Busha, Gabrielle Dion, Gweneth Eamer, Paige Elder, Lauren Lawliss, Kennedy Mattila, Taylor Morse, Morris-Yedid Norelus, Kyle Osborne, Saleen Ramos, Alex Rine, Matthew Rine, Hunter Sartwell, Skelly Skolnick, Sara Szczypien, Brady Terry, Lacy Timmons, Kayleigh Willingham, Ashlyn Wilmot-Rego.  Click the following for details: Source: SUNY Plattsburgh Announces Fall 2018 Dean’s List | SUNY Plattsburgh

Source: Proposal revealed for Durkee Street redevelopment | News | pressrepublican.com

Source: NJ Transit gives final OK to Bombardier contract | Local News | pressrepublican.com

Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay) announced that he has been appointed to the Assembly Committee on Veterans’ Affairs for the upcoming legislative session.

“We owe so much to our veterans and the sacrifices they’ve made to keep our country safe,” Jones said. “Serving on the Veterans’ Affairs Committee will allow me to double down on my work to make the North Country a supportive home for these brave men and women and their families.”

Jones has long been an advocate for North Country veterans. Last year, he voted to extend the Hire a Veteran Tax Credit to help returning heroes find jobs with local businesses (Ch. 58 of 2018). Jones also secured $100,000 in the 2018-19 state budget for the North Country Veterans Association (NCVA), an organization that provides essential services for veterans and their families free of charge, including support for health issues, employment opportunities and support groups. The funding will allow NCVA to improve and expand its facilities to increase its outreach to veterans in the community.

Moving forward, Jones will continue to fight to secure funding for the Battlefield Memorial Gateway, a memorial dedicated to preserving the legacy of those who lost their lives serving our country in the War of 1812.[1] The facility will be built near the former Plattsburgh Air Force Base along the shores of Lake Champlain with access to historic Crab Island, the resting place of soldiers who died fighting in the War of 1812, and Valcour Island, the site of a major Revolutionary War battle.[2]Additionally, Jones is working with Malone officials to establish a Veterans Park to honor our heroes.

“This week began the 2019 legislative session, and I’m ready to hit the ground running,” said Jones. “From being a strong voice for our veterans to strengthening our schools and increasing public safety, I’m looking out for the North Country and protecting our families’ values.”

AGENDA – TOWN BOARD ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING

JANUARY 14, 2019 @ 6:30 PM

1. Call Meeting To Order

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Roll Call

4. DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION:  Establishment of 2019 Salaries for Elected Positions

5. DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION:  Approval of 2019 Appointees.

6. DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION:  Establishment of 2019 Appointee Salaries and Frequency of Payments

7. DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION:  Establishment of 2019 Town Department Liaisons.

8. DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION:  Establishment of 2019 Regular Town Board Meeting Dates and Times.

9. DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION:  Approval of 2019 Contracts.

10. DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION:  Establishment of 2019 Town Mileage Reimbursement

11. DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION:  Designation of Town Depositories.

12. DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION:  Designation of Town Newspaper.

13. DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION:  Town Policies Update

   MOTION:                      Adjourn

JANUARY 14, 2019 @ 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 Meetings of December 27, 2018 and December 31, 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. DISCUSSION/MOTION:  Acceptance of Matthew Houser’s Resignation.

8. DISCUSSION/MOTION:  Zoning Map Update

9. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Purchase of 2020 Freightliner Plow Truck

10. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:   Revised Valcour Engineering Planning Grant Resolution

11. DISCUSSION:  Sewer Collection Project Update.

12. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:   Revised Bond Resolution for the Sewer Collection Project

13. DISCUSSION:  Other Business.

14. DISCUSSION:  Public Comments on Agenda Items Only.

15. DISCUSSION/MOTION:  Adjourn to Executive Session

16. DISCUSSION/MOTION:  Return to Regular Session

MOTION:     Adjourn

Jeremiah Cross

By John T. Ryan

Peru – This is a busy time of year for Peru’s assessor. if you visit the Peru Town Hall on a Tuesday you’ll likely find our assessor Jeremiah Cross either on the phone or meeting with a Peru resident. The Town of Peru contracts with Clinton County for assessment services. When he’s not in Peru, Cross is either in Chazy or the County’s Real Property Office in Plattsburgh.

Jeremiah Cross replaced Tim Surpitski as Peru’s assessor on January 1, 2018. It was a difficult year to assume the job because NYS required Peru to undergo a mass reassessment meaning every residential property in the town had to be reassessed. The state continuously monitors all property sales prices to ensure that properties are assessed at 100% or very close to 100% of value. At a certain point the state requires towns to undergo a mass reassessment; Peru’s prior mass reassessment was done in 2014. Cross explained, “The town’s overall assessed value increased by $15 million. Generally residential values increased by 4%, but it differed by neighborhood. Peru is divided into six neighborhoods, plus the lakeshore. Assessments in the subdivisions went up as high as 8%, others went up from 2% to 5%. No neighborhoods decreased in value.” Assessments changed on 2,314 properties.

Cross pointed out that an increased assessed value doesn’t necessarily mean increased taxes. Government spending, the desirability of a neighborhood and other factors play a role.

Peru’s 180 commercial properties were not subject to the mass reassessment because so few commercial properties change hands that it’s difficult to determine property values. Commercial assessments can be based on a business’s income and expenses; however, the assessor does not have the legal authority to require this information. Businesses typically provide the data when they believe their property has been overvalued. Cross said most communities encourage commercial development. He commented, “Commercial development is good. A town gets more sales tax revenue and it creates jobs meaning more people want to live in the town.”

Surprisingly, Cross receives more questions about tax exemptions than he does property assessments, especially the Enhanced Star program and the exemptions available to low income senior citizens and the disabled. Beginning January 1st Enhanced Star applications must be filed with the New York State Office of Taxation and Finance rather than local assessors, but local assessors will continue to accept applications for other exemptions.

Jeremiah Cross encourages people to stop by his office. He commented, “Speak to me, ask questions. If there’s an issue of not understanding something I‘d be more than happy to give them the knowledge I have.”

Jeremiah Cross can be reached in Peru on Tuesdays from 9 a.m to 3 p.m. at 518-643-2745 Ext. 4. People are welcome to call him on Wednesdays and Thursdays at his Chazy office at 518-846-7544 Ext. 3. On Fridays he can be reached at the Clinton County Real Property Office 518-565-4760.

CANTON, NY (01/10/2019)– More than 550 SUNY Canton students earned Dean’s List honors during the Fall 2018 Semester.

“On behalf of the college’s deans, I’d like to recognize these students for outstanding achievement,” said SUNY Canton President Zvi Szafran. “Your drive for success has been recognized, and we encourage you to continue your efforts.”

Dean’s List recognizes full-time students who have earned a GPA between 3.25 and 3.74. It is a mark of distinction and recognition of academic efforts and scholarship. A complete list also runs on www.canton.edu.

Students named to the Dean’s List include:

Harlie R. Quero, a SUNY Canton Liberal Arts: General Studies major from Peru, NY (12972).

Checole Webb, a SUNY Canton Liberal Arts: General Studies major from Peru, NY (12972).

About SUNY Canton

SUNY Canton is Northern New York’s premier college for career-driven bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees and professional certificate programs. The college delivers quality hands-on programs in digital design, engineering technology, health, management and public service. The college’s faculty members are noted for their professional real-world experience in addition to outstanding academic credentials. As SUNY’s leader in online education, SUNY Canton OnLine offers hundreds of flexible and convenient courses as well as 15 online degree programs. The college’s 15 athletic teams compete at the NCAA Division III level as part of the North Atlantic Conference. For more information, visit www.canton.edu.

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POTSDAM, NY (01/09/2019)– The State University of New York at Potsdam recently named 945 students to the President’s List, in recognition of their academic excellence in the Fall 2018 semester. The SUNY Potsdam students were honored for earning top marks by President Kristin G. Esterberg.

The students included:

• Dianna Hunter of Peru, NY, whose major is Childhood/Early Childhood Education

• Bryn Mousseau of Peru, NY, whose major is Business Administration

To achieve the honor of being on the President’s List, each student must have satisfactorily completed 12 numerically-graded semester hours, with a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.

About SUNY Potsdam:

Founded in 1816, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America’s first 50 colleges — and the oldest institution within SUNY. Now in its third century, SUNY Potsdam is distinguished by a legacy of pioneering programs and educational excellence. The College currently enrolls approximately 3,600 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its challenging liberal arts and sciences core, distinction in teacher training and culture of creativity. To learn more, visit http://www.potsdam.edu.

Jan. 9
Tossed Salad
Spaghetti
Bread
Dessert

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Source: New York sends billions more to DC than it receives – Times Union

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For the past several years, I’ve focused both my financial donations and volunteer efforts almost exclusively on the United Way for one reason: results. 

Our local United Way has been incredibly responsive to the needs of this community, as of late focusing heavily on the opioid crisis, the related urgent need for new foster homes, and helping people get back to work or remain in the workforce. We all see our neighbors struggling with some heavy burdens; knowing that my time and money is going towards common-sense solutions for people in our community makes my heart sing. 

This past fall, I had the pleasure of spending several hours riding around the North Country with the United Way’s Director of Development, Kathy Snow. We were visiting local businesses and organizations, asking them to support our annual fundraising appeal. Cell phone reception is spotty, but Kathy knew each place on our route that she could pull over to check her messages and return phone calls. The requests coming in were overwhelming to me: families without the means to feed their children, an elderly resident with a busted hot water heater, hard-working people struggling to keep their jobs due to substance abuse issues. Kathy was amazing to watch. She was able to offer not only comfort and compassion, but almost immediate help and support through the services offered by United Way’s 40 partner agencies. 

United Way of the Adirondacks can only continue to offer this critical hand up to our friends and neighbors with the support of the community. Please consider joining me in lending your time and financial support to this organization that has proven results.

Hannah Provost

Morrisonville

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. – As the top luge athletes from around the world are currently preparing for World Cup and World Championship racing in Europe, USA Luge will bring the thrill of the sport to the masses at Titus Mountain Family Ski Center on Jan. 19-20.

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.

Casella is one of the nation’s leading waste and recycling service providers, serving thousands of businesses, residences, and communities throughout New York State.

We’re happy to do our part to bring the USA Luge Challenge to the North Country,” said Bill Meyers, Casella General Manager. “We’re hopeful that many of our customers will come out with their families to participate in this exciting and fun event.” Read more »

Tuesday, 1/8/19 Peru – Clinton County Fire investigators are on the scene of a fire that devastated Dana’s Rusty Anchor Restaurant, 416 U.S. Route 9 in Peru. Peru Fire Chief Kevin O’Neill said his department was called out about 2 a.m. and was later joined by several other departments. The south end of the building is gutted, while the north end sustained smoke and water damage. Investigators will be working throughout the day attempting to determine the cause of the fire.