The Peru Gazette

Source: State Land Tax Cap Could Cost Adirondack Communities – – The Adirondack Almanack

Yes, part of Peru is within the Adirondack Park.

Source: Treading Water: Vermont’s Pols Are Going Nowhere Fast on Clean Lakes | Environment | Seven Days | Vermont’s Independent Voice

Source: Peru eyes downtown improvements – Sun Community News & Printing

Click here to view the Peru Gazette’s video of the Town Board Workshop on the Main Street Project. It gives the project details. 

Source: Peru eyes Sullivan Park upgrades – Sun Community News & Printing

NEWS FROM THE PEOPLE’S FORUM 

Confirmed Participants: Tanya Boone-D, Granville; Don Boyajian-D, Cambridge; Tedra Cobb-D, Canton; Russell Finley-R, Lisbon; Sara Idleman-D, Greenwich; Ronald Kim-D, Queensbury; Emily Martz-D, Saranac Lake; David Mastrianni-D, Schroon Lake; Patrick Nelson-D, Stillwater; Katie Wilson-D, Keene; Invited (but unable to attend): Elise Stefanik-R, Willsboro. 
E. Glenn Giltz Auditorium, Hawkins Hall, SUNY Plattsburgh
Saturday, February 17, 2018, 3:00-5:00pm. 

The People’s Forum is a non-partisan congressional candidate forum (open to the public, no charge) organized by Plattsburgh-based community group Change Through Action in collaboration with SUNY Plattsburgh’s Institute for Ethics in Public Life and the Center for Community Engagement. The event will be co-moderated by Julia Devine (Center for Community Engagement) and Dr. Jonathan Slater (Institute for Ethics in Public Life).

The mission of The People’s Forum is to provide a truly engaging, educational, and authentic town hall-style dialogue between the people of the district and the district’s 2018 congressional candidates. All questions will come directly from audience members with questions being chosen via lottery and not pre-screened or pre-selected in any way. Similarly, a candidate will be selected to answer each question by random draw, though still in such a way as to ensure all candidates in attendance are given equal speaking time. All candidates will be given Wild Cards that may be used claim additional speaking time during the forum by either a) adding time to the direct response to an audience member’s question, or b) as an opportunity to “jump in” on a question asked of another candidate with additional information or rebuttal. A straw poll will be conducted and results shared as to which candidate audience members feel would best represent New York’s 21st congressional district in 2018.

Source: Plattsburgh named as possible destination for paroled murderer | Local News | pressrepublican.com

Do we need similar measures near Lake Champlain?

Source: Lake George Plan: Halve Road Salt Use By 2020 – – The Adirondack Almanack

Source: North Country at Work: why ski patroller Rick Wood watches and respects Whiteface | NCPR News

From the Office of NYS Senator Betty Little

The State Senate today approved legislation (S.2947) that would continue a cooperative purchasing law, which enables local governments to utilize existing contracts of federal, state and local government agencies for the purchase of goods and services.

Little sponsored the original legislation in 2012.  She said the law’s sunset date should be eliminated to help local governments better plan for future purchases with the opportunity to save local tax dollars.

Cooperative purchasing, also known as ‘piggy-backing’, is a procurement method in which a contract previously awarded to a government agency may be utilized by other government agencies on the same terms and conditions.

“This law has worked since its inception and, over time, as more local governments participate, it will work even better,” said Little.  “The current sunset is 2019.  Acting this year, rather than pushing up against the sunset date, makes sense for our local governments who otherwise will be left guessing whether or not the law will be renewed.”

The New York State School Boards Association, New York Conference of Mayors and New York State Association of Counties support the legislation.

A companion bill is sponsored by Assemblywoman Addie Jenne.

Happy Birthday to Mrs. Albina St. Germain who is celebrating her 107th birthday today. This photo was taken yesterday at St. Augustine’s Church where she attends Mass every Sunday. After Mass Mrs. St. Germain and family attended the pancake breakfast at St. Joseph’s Church Hall in Treadwells Mills where she walked from table to table speaking with family and friends.

Please Share!

L-R Fran Williford, Suzanne Charette, Sally Kokes, Carol Dumont, Jimmy Dumont, Paul Dirolf, Jim Fezette, Rocky Giroux, Kathy Bracero, Olivia Nachbauer, Paul Green, Sharalyn Nachbauer, George Fountain, Alice Fountain

Peru – North Country Mission of Hope volunteers are #32 in our Peru Gazette photo series featuring people who make Peru a wonderful place to live. Wednesday mornings these very friendly and welcoming folks along with other volunteers pack medical, clothing and school supplies for shipment to Nicaragua. They definitely have fun while they work.

Volunteers work every Wednesday and on the first Saturday of each month between 9 AM to Noon at the Mission of Hope’s new Route 22 location. Call 518-643-5572 for information or just stop by at 3452 Route 22.

Click here to view our recent story on the North Country Mission of Hope. 

Nick Lawliss of Peru, N.Y., a senior majoring in mechanical engineering, was named a Presidential Scholar for the spring 2017 semester at Clarkson University.

SUNY Canton congratulates Jamie Vogt of Peru, NY for earning highest honors during the fall 2017 semester. Last is a SUNY Canton Criminal Investigation major. President’s List recognizes full-time students who achieve a GPA of 3.75 or greater.

By John T. Ryan (Updated February 2, 2018 at 8:42 p.m.)

It appears the Peru Town Board will consist of four members, not the normal five during 2018. At the Board’s January 29 meeting Supervisor Brandy McDonald (a Democrat) moved to appoint former Councilman Donald McBrayer (a Republican) to fill the open board position until December 31, 2018. The position will appear on the November 2018 election ballot with the winner to take office on January 1, 2019. The position opened when Peru voters elected Councilman Brandy McDonald to be Town Supervisor last November.

Councilman Jim Douglass (a Democrat) seconded McDonald’s motion. When the vote was taken, Councilman Melvin Irwin (a Republican) and Councilman Jim Langley (a Republican) voted no, meaning McBrayer (a Republican) was not appointed to the position.

Irwin explained his vote saying, “At the last meeting I said a four-person board forced to get along is not a bad idea. I’m sticking to that.” Irwin added that he had spoken to the Association of Towns. They said that a replacement is usually named, but there’s no reason a four-person board wouldn’t work.

Councilman Jim Langley said, “I think I made it quite clear two weeks ago. I’m going to vote no.” Langley later told the Peru Gazette that he favors considering other past board members. He named Sue Polhemus, Roger Bonner, Kregg Bruno, Cortland Forrence and others as possible appointees.

Prior to the vote Donald McBrayer addressed the Board and the larger than usual group of residents in attendance. He said he did not run for reelection because he will ultimately be moving to Phoenix, Arizona where his wife Kara has found relief from her severe asthma. He explained that with the exception of a three week vacation in Phoenix he will be in Peru throughout 2018 and that he has the time to continue serving the town. He mentioned three primary reasons he would like to continue. The Main Street Project is ready for Phase #1. McBrayer has been the Board’s liaison for the project and he would like to see the plans implemented. He has also been very involved in the ongoing technology upgrades including online bill payment. He would like to assist with those upgrades. He also believes that the Board would function better with five members. McBrayer said, “With four members there’s the potential for a project to hang and ultimately a hung project is a failed project.” See discussion at the 3:20 to 14:00 minute mark of our video.

In other meeting actions the Board approved the Youth Commission’s recommendation that new officers be appointed. Board Member Jim Douglass pointed that outgoing Youth Commission Chairman Greg Mills should be thanked for his dedicated service to the town and the youth. He said, “Greg has put in a lot hours in that job.”

The new Youth Commission leaders are: Jennifer Madore – Co-Chair, Beth Lozier – Co-Chair, Carrie Smith – Vice-Chair and Carrie Beattie – Secretary.

At the recommendation of Code Enforcement Officer Robert Guynup the Board will be scheduling a public hearing on a proposal to amend the permit fees for residential and commercial property repairs or alterations. The current fee is $50 no matter what the size of the project is. Guynup mentioned that he recently issued a $50 permit for a $200,000 project where he will have to conduct at least six inspections. The new fees will be based on the dollar value of the project.

Currently the fees are as follows:

Residential/Demolition/Alteration/ Repairs: $50.00
Commercial Demolition/Alteration/ Repairs: $75.00

Guynup proposed the following fees:

REPAIR OR ALTERATION OF SINGLE AND TWO FAMILY STRUCTURES:
UP TO $10,000.00 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 50.00
$10,001.00 to $25,000.00. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     100.00
$25,001.00 and over. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    150.00

FEES FOR REPAIRS OR ALTERATIONS OF NON-RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES:
Up to $10,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $100.00
$10001.00 to $25.000.00. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   150.00
$25,001.00 to $50,000.00 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     200.00
$50,001.00 and over . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    300.00

Demolition fees
Residential : $75.00
Commercial : $100.00

Sewer Superintendent Courtney Tetrault informed the Board regarding recent emergency temporary repairs to a pipe at the Valcour sewage pumping station. A replacement pipe will have to be installed very soon. This summer a new pump and control panel will be installed. Tetrault said he budgeted $5,000 for AES to conduct preliminary engineering reseaarch on the long term needs of the Valcour sewage system.

The Board is poised to approve a policy for posting information on town signs. Non-profit organizations will be able to request posting. Priority will be given to organizations located in the Town of Peru. It will be on a first come first serve basis. Requests must be submitted not more than seven days prior to an event and the event will be posted for not more than ten days. Town Attorney Matt Favro will work with Pam Barber to draw up a written format to implement the policy.

Source: Gov. offers buyout for Underwood residents | News | pressrepublican.com

By John T. Ryan

Peru – 2018 is an historic year for the North Country Mission of Hope. On January 2 the Mission opened its warehouse and offices at the former Peru Knights of Columbus Hall at 3452 Route 22 and in June it will celebrate its 20th Anniversary. Over the course of those twenty years, the Mission of Hope had to relocate its warehouse six times. Its offices were located at Seton Catholic Central.

Sister Debbie Blow

Mission of Hope Executive Director Sister Debbie Blow is thrilled about the new building. She said, “This is our home. It gives us our own identity. It is the Mission of Hope. As I often said, we’re 19 or 20. We’re old enough to get our own apartment.” Reflecting on the building’s history as a Knights of Columbus Hall and later a fitness center, Sister Debbie said, “This building has always been a sign of life. Now we’re here to stay.”

The new location has generous parking, excellent handicapped access, a spacious office, new windows and doors, internet access, handicapped accessible bathrooms, a small kitchenette, a new furnace, a large meeting/training room and most importantly sorting and storage rooms. Volunteers and donations of money and materials by generous individuals and businesses made the building purchase and upgrades possible.

Main entrance and sorting room.

Storage Room with medical supples awaiting shipment.

The North Country Mission of Hope was formed in 1998 as a response to the havoc caused in Nicaragua by Hurricane Mitch. The children of a Nicaraguan immigrant family attended Seton Catholic at the time. When they told faculty and staff how their hometown had been devastated, the school and community responded with volunteers and aid. As they say, the rest his history.

Today, the mission sponsors five hospitals, twenty-three schools, 110 HIV orphans and feeds over 7,000 children. Many North Country people sponsor Nicaraguan school children assisting with tuition, food and books. A few days ago a 40-foot container filled with almost 600 packages of educational and medical equipment departed from the Peru warehouse and in about two weeks forty-six adults and high school youths are scheduled to make the 71st mission to Nicaragua. Altogether, 1,900 adults and youths have participated in mission trips. Students from every local high school have participated.

Asked how the Mission has grown to this extent Sister Debbie said, “It’s largely been by word of mouth. We’e received wonderful support from all over the North Country. Missioners have relatives and friends from all parts of the country who participate. Seton Catholic and its international students have been very important. Peru High School Principal Chris Mazella has been great at promoting the program and has made two mission trips himself. Many local people who spend time in Florida spread the word and connect with sponsors, donors and missioners. I’ll be making a speaking trip through Florida. My Order, the Dominican Sisters of Hope, has also been very helpful.”

While the Mission of Hope focuses on Nicaragua, Sister Debbie wants people to know that local people in need are not forgotten. She explained, “it’s a well-kept secret, but we loan out medical equipment especially to veterans, the extremely poor and people in crisis. We also assist people in domestic violence situations and fire victims.”

Administrative Assistant Suzanne Charette and Sister Debbie

There are many ways Peru residents and others can assist the North Country Mission of Hope. Every Wednesday and the 1st Saturday of each month volunteers work from 9 to noon to organize and pack items for shipment. Fifteen to twenty volunteers typically participate. Sister Debbie refers to volunteering as a mutual blessing. The Mission of Hope benefits from the volunteers’ time and talents and the volunteers benefit when they meet new people and form new friendships. She pointed out that the work ranges from folding and counting to heavy lifting and moving equipment.

Sister Debbie and Administration Assistant Suzanne Charette are usually present at the Mission of Hope offices from 8 to 2 daily. The office phone is 518-643-5572. Sister Debbie can be reached at 518-570-5443. Everyone is invited to stop by to learn more about the Mission of Hope and to see the new building.

Nicaragua Facts Taken From A Mission of Hope Brochure:

Population jumped from 5.8 million to 5.9 million over the past two years
Rural Poverty rate = 67%
33% of adults cannot read or write
52% of girls never finish high school
50% of babies are born to teenage mothers
Mortality 0-5 years = 27%
H.S. Education = 36%
33% of population is under 15
Underemployment rate = 47%
Chronic rural child malnutrition = 46%
76% of people live on less that $2/day
Nicaragua is one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere

L-R Mary Jane Wilkins and Morgan Wilkins

The staff at Little Angels Preschool is #31 in our Peru Gazette photo series featuring people who make Peru a wonderful place to live. Mary Jane Wilkins opened Little Angels 24 years ago and now she has the pleasure of working with her daughter Morgan. Little Angels offers preschool for 3 to 5 year-olds with an emphasis on kindergarten readiness and socializing. It also offers before and after school care for school age children. Little Angels is located at 245 Jabez Allen Rd. Phone 518-643-2017.

A Town Board Workshop is scheduled for Monday, January 29, 2018 at 6:00 PM. The purpose of the workshop will be to discuss The Main Street Project. The Workshop will take place at The Peru Town Hall and is open to the public.

Source: Cuomo order lets pharmacists give flu shots to kids – Capitol Confidential

AGENDA – TOWN BOARD REGULAR MEETING, JANUARY 29, 2018 @ 7:00 PM

Call Meeting To Order

Pledge of Allegiance

Roll Call

MOTION: Approval of Minutes for the January 18, 2018 Regular Board Meeting.

Community Input

RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Essex County Terry Mtn. Snow Plowing Contract Approval.

MOTION/DISCUSSION: Approve the Appointments of the Youth Commission Board

DISCUSSION: New Building Permit Fees

DISCUSSION: Valcour Sewer Repairs Issue

RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Appointment of Donald McBrayer as Town Councilor

DISCUSSION: Other Business.

DISCUSSION: Public Comments on Agenda Items Only.

DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Approve/Pay Bills.

MOTION: Adjourn to Executive Session

MOTION: Return From Executive Session

MOTION: Adjourn

Source: Bombardier contracts spur new hires | Local News | pressrepublican.com

Source: County formally supports Sky West bid | Local News | pressrepublican.com

Source: N.Y. community colleges would take hit under Cuomo budget – Times Union