The Peru Gazette

Source: Correction officer is charged – Sun Community News & Printing

Don McBrayer representing the Town at the VFW’s Memorial Day Services

As my term of town councilor in Peru ends, I would like to leave with some parting words.

First, and foremost, congratulations need to be given to the new town supervisor, Brandy McDonald, who has my confidence in being able to lead our town; our newly elected town councilor, Mel Irwin, whom I would like to wish the best; and to our re-elected town councilor, Jim Douglas, who always shows that he puts Peru first.  However, I would be remiss if I didn’t recognize our town tax clerk, Kathy Flynn, who will be sorely missed as she leaves to take on the adventures of a new career.

As I began my political career, I have faced loss and success, and found that it is how you react to those losses and successes defines who you are as a person and how you are seen by those around you.

Through my four-year term as town councilor, I have had the opportunity to meet with the dedicated and very capable men and women in the many departments that run our town.  As liaison, I was able to help the Library meet some of their goals, learn how the town water/sewer department operates and advocate for them, as well as visit with and advocated for the town highway department in many areas needed.  Through meeting with these capable individuals, I believe I have gained more in way of respect for them and in truly understanding what it takes to run the town.

I am saddened that I will be unable to continue and finish my work with the Main Street Project and the transfer of our new IT system.  However, I am very pleased with the many projects I have had a chance to work on.

I have also decided not to seek the one-year appointment created by Brandy McDonald’s election as Supervisor. My reason for originally requesting the additional year was two-fold.  One, I believe it is important to have a five-member board where deadlock is avoided, conflict can be tamed with reason, and a board can function in a professional manner where all members can respectfully voice concerns while doing what it best for the town and its citizens.  Second, as I had chosen not to run for a new term, I believe by my holding this one-year temporary seat, it would be giving both parties the opportunity to provide qualified candidates for the voting public to choose who they want to fill this town council spot in the November 2018 election.

With Kara and I moving forward in our plans for an exciting adventure in a new state, I have decided that I would not be able to adequately fulfill the one-year temporary position as I plan to progress in the steps needed to move to another state. Therefore, I will not be seeking the additional year.

I am truly grateful and thankful to all the people of Peru for giving me the opportunity to serve on your behalf and work with the amazing town employees in providing you with the best services possible.

Don McBrayer

Peru – Public comments and potentially controversial agenda items are not normal town board organizational meeting agenda items. The Peru Town Board’s January 2, 2018 Organizational Meeting was different. Click here to view all the meeting. 

The published agenda included a resolution to fill the vacant town board seat created when Brandy McDonald became town supervisor and at the beginning of the meeting Supervisor McDonald asked for a motion to permit public comment on any matter.

At thirty-one minutes into the meeting newly elected counselor Melvin Irwin motioned to consider a resolution to appoint outgoing Councilman Donald McBrayer to a 12-month term to the Town Board. Next November an individual would be elected to fill the remaining year of McDonald’s term. Councilman Jim Douglass seconded the motion. Then Irwin asked that his motion be tabled until the next meeting saying, “I want more time to think it through to be honest with you.” Supervisor McDonald indicated he hadn’t wanted to place the open seat on the agenda, but he had spoken to Irwin prior to placing it on the agenda. Today Irwin told the Peru Gazette he had indicated that he would support McBrayer’s appointment but now thinks he would like to consider the matter further. He would not comment on the contents of a note that former Peru Town Attorney Dennis Curtin placed in front of him at the seventeen minute point in the meeting.

During the public comment portion of the meeting Dennis Curtin reiterated what he had stated at the Board’s December 11 meeting calling on Brandy McDonald to be present in the town hall for the majority of Town business hours. He said that Supervisors Michael Bardon and Ken Jahn did not have a deputy supervisor and when Donald Covel appointed one it was a fiasco. Curtin contended that the deputy supervisor’s only role is to stand in for a supervisor when he or she is on vacation or absent for health reasons.

McDonald responded that he finishies his full-time job at 3:30 PM and that he has vacation and other times. He said other towns have supervisors with full-time jobs. He stated that Town of Mooers Supervisor Jeff Menard works at a full-time job until until 5:30 PM and Beekmantown Supervisor Dennis Relation has a full-time job. McDonald concluded, “He does a good job. I plan on doing a good job and moving forward.”

Curtin responded, “When campaigning you told people you would be in the Town Hall so I think you have an obligation to be here. If you’re going to accept the salary you should be here in the Town Hall. If you’re not going to be here I have a problem with that and I think other taxpayers will too.”

Editor’s Note: Counselor Jim Langley was excused from this meeting. Today he told the Peru Gazette that he had to be in his office at 1 PM, when this meeting was held. He said he was not aware that Don McBrayer was being considered for the vacant position. He would have had to study the issue.

Click here to view all the meeting.

The meeting was chaired by Deputy Supervisor Donald McBrayer. Supervisor Peter Glushko and Counselor Jim Douglass were excused.

The Board approved a labor contract with the Highway Department employees. Contract negotiations with the CSEA were protracted and difficult. A fact-finder helped reach the agreement. Jackie Kelleher of the law firm Stafford, Pillar and Murnane represented the Town of Peru in the negotiations. The Peru Gazette will followup on the terms of the contract.

The Board accepted a resignation letter from 16-year Town Clerk/Tax Collector Kathleen Flynn. The Board could leave the position unfilled, but given the important duties of the town clerk/tax collector that course of action is unlikely. The Board will probably appoint a person to serve from January-December 2018. The position of town clerk/tax collector would appear on the November 2018 election ballot to serve out the remainder of Flynn’s four-year term. See separate story.

Laflure Lane resident John Collings asked if it would be possible to plow the road leading into Heyworth Mason Park thereby permitting access to the dog park. Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell explained that plowing would severely damage the road’s fine dust surface. Counselor Jim Langley suggested that an “Open Weather Permitting” sign be erected. Parks Superintendent Courtney Tetrault said his staff might be able to use the sidewalk plow to forge a path to the dog park. Stay tuned!

The Board authorized the Water and Sewer Department’s purchase of a new Chevrolet Tahoe SUV at a cost of $34,006.02 and the sale of the department’s Ford F250 truck for $3,400. It has 240,000 miles. Joe Basil Chevrolet of Depew, NY was the low bidder.

The skating rink/basketball court online fund drive has reached $4,100. AES Engineering and the Peru Farm Center made recent generous donations. Courtney Tetrault said the rink is being used and that his staff is flooding the rink to maintain a good surface.

Courtney Tetrault also reported receipt of a New York State grant in the amount of $30,000 for preliminary enginering evalutation of the town’s waste water/sewage treatment plant. Upgrades to that facility will be a priority, once the sewer line and pumping system upgrade is complete.

Tetrault also reported that recent lead and copper samples fell within safe drinking water levels. NYS required several more samples than it has in the past.

Jeremiah Cross was approved as the town tax assessor through December 31, 2018. The town has a 3-year assessment service contract with Clinton County extending to September 30, 2019. Counselor Langley suggested a 12-month evaluation period. Cross replaces Tim Surpitski, who was transferred to another assignment. See separate story.

Counselor Jim Langley motioned for an Executive Session to discuss the employment history of Town Supervisor Peter Glushko.

At the request of Governor Andrew Cuomo, residents will be able to prepay their 2018 land taxes. Town Clerk Kathleen Flynn will be in her office on Friday, December 29th from 9 a.m to 1 p.m. Payments postmarked by December 31st will also be accepted. Payments must either be in the amount of the total annual tax or one quarterly installment.

Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell is still working with the Peru School District to improve the catch basin adjacent to the school’s tennis courts. Water is flowing off school grounds resulting in Jenkins and Pleasant Street flooding.

Volunteers to serve on the Planning and Zoning Boards are still being sought.

Don Control Officer David Drollette reported that more people are complying with dog licensing laws. Drollette picked up 28 dogs in 2017, down from 53 in 2016. He remarked, “The word must be getting out.”

Judge Jim Kirby asked the Board to encumber budget monies to improve soundproofing in the new court house. The lawyer-client conference room needs sound-proofing.

County Legislator Peter Keenan reported that sales tax collections are $2 million ahead of 2016 and $1 million more than projected. Work on the $38 million Clinton County Airport upgrade will proceed now that the Luck Brothers lawsuit has been dismissed.

Happy New Year to all the Peru Gazette readers. If 2018 brings another volunteer writer/photography enthusiast, I believe the Peru Gazette could easily double its readerhship.

AGENDA – TOWN BOARD ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING, JANUARY 2, 2018, 1:00 PM

Call Meeting To Order

Pledge of Allegiance

Roll Call

DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Establishment of 2018 Salaries for Elected Positions:

DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Approval of 2018 Appointees.

DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Establishment of 2018 Appointee Salaries and Frequency of Payments

DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Establishment of Town Department Liaisons.

DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Establishment of 2018 Regular Town Board Meeting Dates and Times.

DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Approval of 2018 Contracts.

DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Establishment of 2018 Town Mileage Reimbursement

DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Designation of Town Depositories.

DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Designation of Town Newspaper.

DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Town Policies Update

DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Vacant Board Seat

MOTION: Adjourn

Editor’s Note: The Town of Peru contracts with Clinton County for its property assessment services. For the past eleven years Tim Surpitski has been working for several hours each week in the Peru Town Hall as the assigned assessor. The City of Plattsburgh recently signed a similar contract with the county. As of January 1, 2018 Tim will be reassigned to the City of Plattsburgh.

It isn’t often that a tax assessor is ‘loved’ by the community he serves, but Tim Surpitski might be the exception. The people working in the town hall typically say, “There isn’t a question he can’t answer. He’s so nice.” Members of the general public express similar respect for his work. As Editor of the Peru Gazette, I have found Tim to be knowledge, helpful, courteous and professional. He is truly a “civil servant.” Our loss is definitely the City of Plattsburgh’s gain.

Source: Watertown Daily Times | New record low temperature set for Watertown; cold weather expected to remain for at least a week

Source: Company will pull mothballed rail tanker cars out of the Adirondacks | NCPR News

By John T. Ryan

Peru – Sixteen-year Town Clerk/Tax Collector Kathy Flynn has accepted the position of manager of Apple Valley Senior Housing. The Peru Town Board accepted Flynn’s resignation at its December 26th meeting. Flynn will continue to serve the town until January 12th.

Flynn said her decision wasn’t easy, especially after having been reelected to another four-year term of office in November 2017. She explained, “I only learned about the Apple Valley job about a week before the election. I applied and then I didn’t hear any more until December 13th. On December 16th I informed the Town Board that I would be leaving.”

Please note that this video is imperfect because of a camera technical issue. About 12 minutes of the meeting were omitted. The meeting highlights will be posted ASAP.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiL0ZrjpgLw

Source: SUNY Plattsburgh plans to cut seven jobs, including community engagement coordinator | NCPR News

Source: Two arrested in connection with Peru, Plattsburgh robberies

Source: CO injured at Clinton Correctional | Local News | pressrepublican.com

Source: Police: 2 robberies connected | Local News | pressrepublican.com

Call Meeting To Order at 7 p.m.

Pledge of Allegiance

Roll Call

MOTION: Approval of Minutes for the December 11, 2017 Regular Board Meeting and the November 15, 2017 Special meeting..

Community Input

DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Approve Purchase of New Water/Sewer Vehicle.

DISCUSSION: Sullivan Park Grant Update.

DISCUSSION: Planning Grant Award.

DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Approve Logics Contract.

DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Fund Transfers.

DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Appoint New Tax Assessor.

DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Approve CSEA Contract.

DISCUSSION: Court House Purchase BAN Renewal.

DISCUSSION/MOTION: Acceptance of Scott Houser Retirement letter.

DISCUSSION: Other Business.

DISCUSSION: Public Comments on Agenda Items Only.

DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Approve/Pay Bills.
MOTION: Adjourn

Source: Flowing Wells – NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation

Source: A good problem for Watertown – how to spend a $10 million revitalization grant | NCPR News

Source: Eye on the Arts – Sun Community News & Printing

Source: IRS scam making rounds in North Country – Sun Community News & Printing

Seated – Sr. Investigator Clement J. {Clem} Jackson. Standing left to right. Sr. Investigator Lawrence H. {Larry} Manor, BCI Lieut. Roy A. Garrant, Major John H. {Jack} Lawliss.

Anyone familiar with Northern New York law enforcement has to be familiar with these men. Between them, they have a combined 117 years of service with the New York State Police. The four retirees enjoyed a recent get-together at Clem Jackson’s Plattsburgh home.

From the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs) enforce the 71 Chapters of NY Environmental Conservation Law, protecting fish and wildlife and preserving environmental quality across New York.

Recent missions carried out by ECOs include: