The Peru Gazette

Source: NTSB preliminary report on limo crash contains scant new info – Times Union

Source: Commission on the Adirondacks in the 21st Century: A Status Report – – The Adirondack Almanack

Each year, the SUNY Plattsburgh Alumni Association recognizes notable alumni and faculty or staff who have made outstanding contributions to the Alumni Association, the college and/or the community. At this time, we are seeking nominations for the following awards:

Distinguished Alumni Award
The Distinguished Alumnus or Alumna Award is presented by the college and the Plattsburgh Alumni Association Board of Directors to honor graduates of SUNY Plattsburgh for their professional achievements, contributions to society and service to the college.

The regular meeting of the Peru Town Board was held on Monday, January 28, 2019at 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; Mr. Matthew Favro, Town Attorney; Mrs. Dianne Miller, Town Clerk.  Also present Mr. Courtney Tetrault, Water/Sewer Superintendent; Mr. Michael Farrell, Highway Superintendent and Ms. Pamela Barber, Secretary to the Board

The meeting was called to order at 7:04 PM by Mr. McDonald, with the Pledge of Allegiance.  

Motion by Mr. .Douglass; seconded by Mr. Barber to approve the minutes from the January 14, 2019 Town Board Organizational meeting.  

Ayes 5 Nays 0 Motion Carried

Motion by Mr. Langley; seconded by Mr. Irwin to approve the minutes from the January 14, 2019 Regular meeting.

Ayes 5 Nays 0                                                                         Motion Carried 

Motion by Mr. Douglass; seconded by Mr. Langley to accept Youth Department Report for December 2018.

The report was not received in a timely manner (6:01 PM January 14, 2019) to be part of the reports approval for the January 14, 2019 Regular meeting.            

Community Input and Questions

Mr. Ryan asked for an update on Washington Street and the Main Street Project. Mr. Guynup

stated Mr. Lashway was in receipt of the third party review.  No update on Main Street Project.

A RESOLUTION OF PROCLAMATION FOR THE DESIGNATION OF FEBRUARY 2019 THE CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION MONTH. 

Motion: Mr. Barber Second: Mr. Douglass

WHEREAS, February 1-28, 2019, has been designated Career and Technical Education Month^® by the Association for Career and Technical Education; and

WHEREAS: The Smith-Hughes Act, the first act of Congress to provide funding for career and technical education, was signed into law 102 years ago and allows us to celebrate how far CTE has come to become a powerhouse of America’s economy;

THEREFORE, BE IT

RESOLVED, said proposed Designation Proclamation is approved and the Supervisor be and hereby is authorized to execute same.

Carried:

Ayes 5 Nays 0

Motion by Mr. Langley; seconded by Mr. Irwin to Rescind Organizational Meeting Resolution #19.01.14-3.

Ayes 5 Nays 0

.

RESOLUTION NUMBER: 19.01.28-2  

TO RESCIND THE RESOLUTION #19.01.14-3 ESTABLISHING 2019 SALARIES AND PAYMENT FREQUENCY FOR TOWN OF PERU APPOINTEES

MOTION:  Mr. Barber                    SECOND:  Mr. Douglass

WHEREAS, The Peru Town Board is acting to rescind the prior Resolution #19.01.14-3 which was establishing 2019 salaries and payment frequencies for the Town of Peru Appointees. 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT

RESOLVED, that this body rescinds Town Resolution #19.01.14-3, effective immediately. 

Carried:

Ayes 5 Nays 0

Mr. Tetrault’s salary was corrected

Motion by Mr. Douglass; seconded by Mr. Barber to Rescind Organizational Meeting Resolution #19.01.14-5.

Ayes 5 Nays0

RESOLUTION NUMBER:  19.01.28-3 

TO RESCIND THE RESOLUTION #19.01.14-5 RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING 2019 REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING DATES AND STARTING TIMES 

MOTION:  Mr. Irwin                                 SECOND:    Mr. Douglass

WHEREAS, The Peru Town Board is acting to rescind the prior Resolution #19.01.14-5 which was establishing meeting dates and starting times for the Town of Peru Board Meetings. 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT

RESOLVED, that this body rescinds Town Resolution #19.01.14-5, effective immediately. 

Carried:

Ayes 5 Nays 0

Time and date was incorrect for December 31, 2019.

RESOLUTION NUMBER: 19.01.28-4

A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE AES AMENDMENT TO OWNER-ENGINEER AGREEMENT FOR THE SEWER LINE REPLACEMENT PROJECT #4671 AND AUTHORIZING THE SUPERVISOR TO EXECUTE THE SAME.

Motion: Mr. Langley Second:  Mr. Irwin

WHEREAS, the Town Board has the Revised DRAFT Owner-Engineer Agreement for Sewer Line Replacement Project No. 4671and Amendment #1 to the Owner-Engineer Agreement 

WHEREAS, the original short from agreement for Pre-Design Services dated June 15, 2018 is amended in its entirety with a new long form agreement that includes the required contractual language and scope of work for professional services needed to complete the design of the Town’s sewer collection system repairs and upgrades.   The original agreement valued at $61,461.50 ($32,530 for professional services & $28,931.50 for reimbursable expenses) is now included in the revised agreement and contract values.  

THEREFORE, BE IT

RESOLVED, said proposed Amendment to the Owner-Engineer Agreement is approved.  The modification is to services of the Engineer to better suit the needs of the NYS EFC and Rural Development wording and modifications for the above mentioned project and the Supervisor be and hereby is authorized to execute said agreement.

AND, BE IT

RESOLVED, that this Resolution shall take effect immediately.

Carried:

Ayes 5 Nays 0

RESOLUTION NUMBER: 19.01.28-5

A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE CONTRACT BETWEEN THE TOWN OF PERU THE PERU FREE LIBRARY

MOTION:  Mr. Irwin SECOND:  Mr. Barber

WHEREAS, the Town Board has the contract between the Town of Peru and Peru Free Library

and, the Peru Free Library provides library services to the citizens of the Town of Peru, and, 

WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of the citizens of the Town of Peru that the Town supports this activity for the 2019 fiscal year and agrees to pay the Peru Free Library $80,000.00.

THEREFORE, BE IT

RESOLVED, said proposed contract is approved and the Supervisor be and hereby is authorized to execute said contract, AND, BE IT

RESOLVED, that this Resolution shall take effect immediately.

Carried: 

Ayes 5 Nays 0

RESOLUTION NUMBER: 19.01.28-6

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EMERGENCY PURCHASE OF A NEW SNOW PLOW TRUCK DUE TO THE SEVERE DAMAGE INCURRED DURING A STORM-RELATED ACCIDENT 

MOTION:  Mr. Langley SECOND:  Mr. Irwin

WHEREAS, The Town of Peru requires that following goods and/or services be provided in an expedited manner to purchase a new replacement snow plow truck. 

 WHEREAS, Subdivision (4) of Section 103 of the New York State General Municipal Law sets forth an exception to competitive bidding requirements for emergency situations; and 

WHEREAS, The situation facing the Town of Peru has arisen out of an unforeseen occurrence or condition as follows: severe damaged was incurred on the Town of Peru’s fleet of plow trucks during a storm-related accident and the Town does not have a spare truck to use on a daily basis. 

WHEREAS, the foregoing demonstrates that this situation requires immediate action which cannot await competitive bidding for the following reasons, a competitive bidding process would delay the arrival of a plow truck until late December of 2019 or the spring of 2020. 

THEREFORE, BE IT

RESOLVED the Town of Peru has declared an emergency situation that has arisen out of an unforeseen occurrence and requests Michael Farrell, Town Highway Superintendent to locate and purchase a new plow truck for its immediate use in the early Winter/Spring of 2019.

AND, BE IT

RESOLVED, that this Resolution shall take effect immediately.

Discussion- Motion by Mr. Langley second by Mr. Barber to amend resolution that price not to exceed $ 211,000.00

Carried:

 Ayes 5 Nays 0 

RESOLUTION NUMBER: 19.01.28-7  

A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE RESULTS OF INTERNAL CONTROL PROCEDURES AND RECORDKEEPING FOR THE TOWN OF PERU TOWN COURT.

MOTION:  Mr. Douglass                     SECOND:  Mr. Barber

WHEREAS, the Town Board has before it the report of Internal audit for the Peru Town Court conducted by Councilman Jim Douglass on January 15, 2019, and 

WHEREAS, the Town Board agrees with the overall findings of this report of audit;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT

RESOLVED, that the Town of Peru Board approves and accepts the internal controls audit of the Town of Peru Town Court with the record of this audit to be included in the official record of  this Board Meeting, 

 AND, BE IT

RESOLVED, that this Resolution shall take effect immediately.

Ayes 5 Nays 0

Mr. Douglass commended Holly Stone and Christine Crawford for a job well done.

Sewer Collection Project Update

Mr. Tetrault stated the next step is to check the elevations with AES as work is going to be done in front of homes instead of in back.

RESOLUTION NUMBER: 19.01.28-8

A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE EXHIBIT MEMO FOR THE TOWN OF PERU’S SHORT-TERM CWSRF & WIIA GRANT FINANCING #C5-5508-02-00

MOTION:   Mr. Irwin SECOND:  Mr. Langley

WHEREAS, The Approval Memo is accurate for the Town of Peru’s Short-Term CWSRF & WIIA Grant financing #C5-5508-02-00 and is set to go to EFC’s upcoming February Loan Committee.

WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of the citizens of the Town of Peru that the Town and its consultants have provided the correct information to further the structuring of our SRF financing.

THEREFORE, BE IT

RESOLVED, said proposed Exhibit Approval Memo is accurate and approved and the Supervisor be and hereby is authorized to execute said memo, AND, BE IT

RESOLVED, that this Resolution shall take effect immediately.

Carried: 

Ayes 5   Nays 0

Acceptance of Jen Madore’s Resignation from the Youth Commission

Motion by Mr. Langley second by Mr. Douglas to accept resignation from Jen Madore from the Youth Commission

Ayes 5 Nays 0

Acceptance of Youth’s Commission’s Recommendations of Two New Committee Members.

Motion by Mr. Langley; seconded by Mr. Barber to accept Jon Whitmarsh and Kirsten O’Jida-Blair.

Mr. Barber met both Mr. Whitmarsh and Ms. O’Jida-Blair and commented that they would be an asset to the Youth Commission.

Other Business

Ms. Barber stated Logics is all switched over and W-2s will be distributed by January 30, 2019.

Mr. Farrell stated all proper signage is erected on Patent Road to make drivers aware of possible dangers of the road.

Public Comments on Agenda Items Only

NONE

Motion by Mr. Langley; seconded by Mr. Douglass to adjourn the regular meeting at 7:55 PM.  

Ayes 5 Nays 0 Motion Carried

_________________________Supervisor  _________________________Councilman

_________________________Councilman _________________________Councilman

________________________ Councilman

Source: Ovalle joins Sun Community News & Printing – Sun Community News & Printing

Source: Peru wins sectional wrestling title – Sun Community News & Printing

There will not be a Peru Zoning Board of Appeals meeting on February 20, 2019.

Peru – The Peru Knights of Columbus Bingo scheduled for Tuesday, February 12th is canceled because of the winter storm warning.  The knights hope to see all their bingo players next week.

The Clinton County Historical Association Announces

”Northern Slavery — Part of the American Story”

Thursday, February 21, 6:30 pm

At the Peru Community Church Fellowship Center, 13 Elm Street, Peru

Slavery is not just a southern story.  In fact, New York was the epicenter of slavery in the early colonial world.  From Boston to Plattsburgh, and up and down the Hudson and Mohawk Valleys, enslaved persons were an important part of the labor market and helped build wealth in the society. The first American slave code was written in Massachusetts.

Peter Slocum, a longtime tour guide with the North Star Underground Railroad Museum, explores untold stories of northern Slavery, including some discoveries close to home.

The event is free and open to the public.

Source: 22-year-old killed in Lyon Mountain house fire; father suffers burns | News | pressrepublican.com

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 on March 7th and 8th at 7:30 PM and March 9th at 2:00 and 7:30 PM at the Peru High Scool Auditorium. 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.

Source: Republican senators scoff at proposal to increase pay of state inmates – Times Union

Source: Enrollment in NY’s Obamacare marketplace hits record high – Times Union

Source: Police crack down on drug trafficking with eight arrests – Sun Community News & Printing

Source: DEC, Adirondack partners launch effort to reduce High Peaks search and rescue operations – Sun Community News & Printing

Source: CVPH, Hudson Headwaters open new health center – Sun Community News & Printing

Source: Farm Belt bankruptcies are soaring

PLATTSBURGH, N.Y.-      Adirondack Regional Theatre announces it will be staging the Arthur Miller classic “The Crucible” at the Strand Theatre in Plattsburgh February 8, 9 and 10.

Arthur Miller’s searing timely American drama is about what can happen when truth is bent to political convenience. No one is safe as a reign of terror rips through 1692 Salem. Led by Abigail Williams, a group of girls who claim to have seen the Devil, hurl out charges of witchcraft, sending those who won’t confess to the noose. When the accusing finger points to his wife, John Proctor is forced to confront his past and determine his future. Neil Battinelli and Stacey Senecal both of whom got their start acting while at Peru star as Abigail and John. Other Peru High grads in the show include, Jonathan Berry, Sean Brace, Danielle Criss, and Dorina Falvo.

Adirondack Regional Theatre (ART) will be presenting the first locally produced drama on the stage of the renovated Strand Theatre. Tickets are available at the Strand Center Box office and online at www.strandcenter.org.

Although it was written in 1953, Arthur Miller’s drama holds particular significance in the current political environment. Miller said: “I can almost tell what the political situation in a country is when the play is suddenly a hit there – it is either a warning of tyranny on the way or a reminder of tyranny just past.” Salem in the 17th century was a place where fear was used as a political tool, where outside threats were invented to explain current woes, where scapegoats were identified, hunted down and judged, and where truth holds no currency.

Dana Berry will be directing the timeless play and pivotal work. The cast will bring to life on the Strand stage this tale of caution that warns of the deadly consequences when a society allows fear, suspicion and superstitious gossip to rule over facts.

This project is made possible with the funds from the Decentralization Program, a re-grant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature and administered by the Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts.

###

Who:             Adirondack Regional Theatre

What:            “The Crucible”
Where:          The Strand Theatre 25 Brinkerhoff St Plattsburgh NY

When:           February 8-10, 2019

Tickets:         $15, $20 & $25 available at the Strand Center Box Office, on line at www.strandcenter.org or by calling 518-572-1604 ext. 105

Source: Depot Theatre Announces 41st Season Lineup – – The Adirondack Almanack

Source: Disappointing Personal Lessons in Racism – – The Adirondack Almanack

From the office of Congresswoman Elise Stefanik

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik co-led Rep. Delgado’s amendment to H.R. 840 – the Veterans’ Access to Child Care Act. This amendment allows for child care to be provided by the VA for veterans in need of emergency mental health services, something that was unaccounted for in the bill.

“The Veterans’ Access to Child Care Act is an important first step in providing veterans with free child care during VA health care appointments,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. Read more »

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced the completion of an aerial Adirondack moose survey that takes place each year as part of a collaborative study of the health of New York’s moose population. A total of 83 groups of one or more moose were observed during the survey’s 175 sightings, with all appearing healthy.

“Moose are a charismatic and iconic animal here in New York and important research like the aerial survey is key to maintaining a strong population,” DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said. “I applaud the work of DEC’s expert wildlife staff and our many partners as we work together to keep a close eye on New York’s moose.”

After an absence of 120 years, moose recolonized New York in the 1980s. Since that time, biologists have been routinely monitoring moose in the state, informing the public about moose, and responding to situations where moose come into conflict with people. Read more »