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MOTION:Approval of Minutes for the Town Board Regular Meeting of May 29, 2018;
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)
Community Input
DISCUSSION:Reporting of Zoning Violations Procedure.
RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:Review and Acceptance of Main St. Project Bids.
RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:Sewer Upgrade RD Funding- Archeological Study Cost.
RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:Acceptance of AES Term Agreement.
DISCUSSION:North Bend Street Property.
RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:Purchase of 2012 Box Truck from Midstate Industrial Supply.
RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:NYSLRS Standard Workday Reporting
L-R Office Manager Dorothy Santoro, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Jennifer Brennan, Administrative Receptionist Sage Lewandowski, Dr. Archil Chechelashvili, Medical Director Dr. Dino Santoro, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Jennifer Kanaly, Registered Nurse Jay Bleeker, Administrative Receptionist Heather Langlois
By John T. Ryan
Peru – The staff of North Country Behavioral Medicine (NCBM) is #41 in our Peru Gazette photo series featuring people who make Peru a wonderful place to live. North Country Behavioral Medicine opened at Glenwood Plaza last August offering psychiatric services including diagnostic assessment, adult psychiatry, child and adolescent psychiatry, medication management, psychotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy.
Over the past few months North Country Behavioral Medicine has been serving patients from throughout northern New York. In a few days it will almost double its office space enabling it to offer Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), a depression treatment used when other treatments haven’t been effective. Medical Director Dr. Dino Santoro explained, “We wanted to have as many tools as possible. TMS is very unique. It’s an alternative If life style changes, therapy and medication aren’t successful. I believe we’ll be the only provider in the area offering it.”
Each North Country Behavioral Health Medicine provider is an independent practitioner. Santoro explained, “Each provider has specific skill sets and areas of interest. We always do our best to ensure patients are connected with the most appropriate provider for a patient’s particular set of challenges.”
North Country Behavioral Medicine is accepting new patients. Most insurance providers are accepted. Call 518-643-5550 for appointments. Its address is 3384 State Route 22, Suite 4, Peru, NY 12972. Hours are 8:30-4:30.
New Program Gives Consumers Information about Potentially Harmful Chemicals
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos announced today the release of New York’s final policy and form for manufacturer disclosures under the State’s Household Cleansing Product Information Disclosure Program. Introduced in Governor Cuomo’s 2017 State of the State, the Household Cleansing Product Information Disclosure program requires manufacturers of cleaning products sold in New York to disclose chemical ingredients, as well as other information, on their websites. New York will be the first state in the nation to require such disclosure and the State’s program goes beyond initiatives in other states by requiring the robust disclosure of byproducts and contaminants, as well as chemicals with the potential to trigger asthma in adults and children.
Household Cleansing Product Information Disclosure Program
Overseen by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), the Household Cleansing Product Information Disclosure Program requires manufacturers to disclose the name and unique chemical number of all intentionally added ingredients, including fragrances; all byproducts, such as 1,4 Dioxane, including those present in trace quantities that appear on state, national or international lists of identified chemicals of concern; and any impurity due to environmental contamination present in trace quantities that appear on such lists and are present above levels found in well-regulated public water systems located in the United States.
Additional disclosures required by the program include a prominent statement regarding the nature and extent of information being withheld as confidential business information; the listing of ingredients in order of predominance by weight; a clear method of indicating that a chemical has been identified as a chemical of concern; the provision of a toll-free number to answer consumer requests for more information; and the posting of studies the manufacturer has conducted on the health and environmental effects of any of its products and ingredients.
The Household Cleansing Product Information Disclosure Program is the result of extensive discussions with a variety of stakeholders, including industry, private citizens, state agencies, and advocacy groups, as well as a lengthy public comment period. Significant changes were made to DEC’s original proposal to better address concerns raised by the stakeholders. In addition to this information appearing on manufacturer websites by July 1, 2019, DEC is working with the Interstate Chemicals Clearinghouse to develop and maintain a database of links to the disclosed information for ease of consumer access.
North Bend Street Zombie property to be Partially Cleaned Up
Laphams Mills Park Bathroom Expansion On Hold
Main Street Improvement Project Bids Re-advertised
Shade Structure Being Considered at Dog Park
Town Court Overtime Concerns
Supervisor Brandy McDonald reported that NYSEG plans to install 34,000 feet of natural gas pipelines in Peru beginning on June 25. The streets include: All of Aubrey Lane, Eva Drive, Haynes Terrace, Howard Drive, Locust Drive, McDonald Place and Ratcliffe Drive, 1-13 Birchwood Drive, 327-356 Dashnaw Road, 1-17 Holden Avenue, 356-590 and 618-662 Laphams Mills Road, 2-20 Maiden Lane, 1-18 McIntosh Drive, 3420-3470 State Route 22.NYSEG will hold a public information meeting sometime in June.
Highway Department personnel will soon do a partial cleanup at 39 North Bend Street. A stockade fence that partially concealed the neglected property recently fell down; therefore, the Town can take limited action.Portions of the cleanup will be difficult because the Town cannot legally move the vehicles parked on the property. The possible presence of asbestos and the expense incurred in asbestos abatement also complicates the situation. Since property taxes have not been paid for the past few years, the Town Board anticipates that in 2019 Clinton County will clean-up the property prior to selling it at auction.
39 North Bend St. Property
During the discussion of the North Bend Street property Counselor Jim Langley pointed out that counties receive all monies derived from tax auctions. Even though taxes are due to towns and/or schools, all the money is garnered by the county. None is returned to either the towns or school districts.
A few weeks ago Peru Youth Director John Flynn asked the Board to consider installing bathrooms in a second location at Laphams Mills Park. Consulting engineering Peter Gibbs reported that soil percolation tests revealed that bathrooms with running water and a septic system would require a pump station, two 1,500 gallon septic tanks and an above ground leach field. The leach field would be partially above-ground excluding that space from parking or other uses. The estimated the cost exceeds $30,000.Supervisor Brandy McDonald said the possibility of installing bathrooms between fields #2 and #3 similar to the existing bathrooms is being explored. The existing bathrooms do not have running water and use a holding bladder/tank that is periodically pumped out.
No contractors submitted a bid for the Main Street improvement project. Contractors said they were not given sufficient time to develop a bid. The Board voted to re-advertise for bids and set the bid opening for June 8, 2018 at 10AM.
During the public comment portion of the meeting John Collings asked the Board to consider erecting a structure that would provide shade and seating for Heyworth-Mason Dog Park users. Collings said he enjoys using the park, but he has a severe sun sensitivity condition. He priced the materials at approximately $1,100 and suggested that volunteers might be willing to erect the structure. Supervisor McDonald said the Board would look into the issue.
Supervisor McDonald expressed concern about Peru Town Court overtime costs. A part-time court clerk was hired for 29 hours weekly. The clerk’s hours of work have consistently exceeded that amount. The judges will be consulted on the issue and the Court’s revenues vs. expenses will be analyzed.The Town retains only a small amount of total court revenues.
The State Senate today gave final legislative approval of a measure to include Chazy Lake on the Department of State’s list of designated inland waterways. The bill’s sponsor, Senator Betty Little, said the designation will make the lake eligible for state Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) funding.
“Chazy Lake is beautiful and a tremendous asset,” said Little. “Protecting the lake while boosting recreational opportunities will have many benefits in the years ahead.” Dannemora Town Supervisor Bill Chase wrote to Little in August 2017 requesting legislation to include Chazy Lake on the state’s list of designated waterways.
According to the New York Department of State, benefits to a community preparing an LWRP include clear direction, technical assistance, State and federal consistency, and financial assistance, including State and Federal Grants. It can significantly increase a community’s ability to attract private and public resources to advance a community’s vision and respect the unique cultural and natural characteristics of its waterfront.
Companion legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Billy Jones had passed the Assembly in April. The legislation will be sent to the governor for his consideration.
The Chamber of Commerce is proud to present the 20th Annual Great Adirondack Car Show, Craft Fair & Giant Garage Sale! Join us on Saturday, June 16th at the Crete Center to see cars, truck and motorcycles from every era competing in 30 different classes. Enter your vehicle in advance for only $10.
This family event also features a Giant Garage Sale. Turn your stuff into cash by setting up a table and selling your items or wander through the tables yourself and find some treasures to take home. Space is available for $20 in advance or $30 at the show.
The Craft Fair features homemade crafts of all kinds. Crafter space is available $20 in advance or $30 at the show.
General admission to all three events is only $7 per carload and includes entry to all three events. Sponsored by The Chauvin Agency, The City of Plattsburgh, Press-Republican, and WOKO/WKOL/WJOY this event is fun for the whole family. Dont miss the Great Adirondack Car Show, Craft Fair & Giant Garage Sale on June 16th from 10am 3:00pm at the Crete Center. For more information, call the Chamber at 563-1000 or go to www.northcountrychamber.com
AUSABLE CHASM, N.Y., June 3, 2018— The North Star Underground Railroad Museum has enhanced its popular mini-bus tours of Antislavery and Underground Railroad sites in Keeseville and Peru. Now, photo albums help passengers follow the narrative. New information has been added on the Episcopal and Wesleyan Churches, and passengers hear the recently discovered story of a man who escaped from Baltimore, Maryland, and reached Canada via Albany, Saratoga, Warren, Essex and Clinton Counties.
Guided tours on an air-conditioned 12 passenger mini-bus will be offered on the first and third Saturday every month until Columbus Day. These special tours are an opportunity to learn about the North Country’s links to the National Underground Railroad. Passengers hear about heroes and heroines, pastors and publishers, and conflicts in churches. They visit a root cellar that was a hiding place.
The Champlain Line of the Underground Railroad was a network of individuals who helped hundreds of self-emancipated African Americans escape to freedom before the Civil War. Most found refuge in Canada, but some risked staying in the North County.
2018 tour dates are: June 16, July 7, July 21, August 4, August 18, September 1, September 2, September 15, and October 6. Tours leave the North Star Underground Railroad Museum, 1131 Mace Chasm Road, Ausable Chasm, NY, at 9:30 A.M. The cost is $10 per person. This is a popular tour, and only 12 seats are available. Call 518-834-5180 or email ugr@frontier.com and make a reservation. After the Tour visit the Museum.
Peru – The Peru Youth Commission hosted the Clinton County Baseball/Softball Opening Weekend at Laphams Mills Park today. Rain forced the cancellation of last night’s games, but several games were rescheduled for today.
Today also marks the official beginning of the Peru Youth Commission’s baseball/softball program for over 200 Peru boys and girls. Newly named Peru Youth Commission Chair Jennifer Madore was working with the young people staffing the food and beverage building. Madore has been a Youth Commission member for five years. Assuming a leadership role was a natural step for her. She explained, “I’ve been doing a lot anyway, so this just another way of helping the kids and the great programs we have here in Peru.” Along with support from the Town of Peru, numerous volunteers, 20 to 25 recreational assistants and monetary donations from Peru’s business and non-profit community all play a role in making the programs successful. Today Dunkin Donuts and Valley Vending donated donuts and beverages for sale at the concession building.
During July the Youth Commission will conduct a four-week activities program that will include tennis, soccer, arts and crafts, basketball, softball and baseball. Other Commission members include Vice Chair Beth Lozier, Vice Chair Carrie Smith, Secretary Carrie Beattie, Immediate Past Chair Greg Mills, Brian Marino, Jim Bousquet, Bill Meyers and Emily Sypek. John Flynn is Town of Peru Youth Director and Kristin Marino is Assistant Youth Director.
The next Youth Commission meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 26th, 7PM at the Laphams Mills Park concession building. The meetings are open to the public.
