The Peru Gazette

AGENDA – TOWN BOARD REGULAR MEETING, April 10, 2017, 7:00 PM

Call Meeting To Order

Pledge of Allegiance

Roll Call

MOTION: Approval of Minutes for the Town Board Regular Meeting of March 27, 2017

DISCUSSION/MOTION: Reports from all Departments: (Water/Sewer/Valcour; Highway; Town Clerk; Dog Control; Youth Department; Code/Zoning; Supervisor’s Report; Court; Website; and Banking Reports)

Community Input

DISCUSSION/MOTION: Adjourn to Executive Session.

DISCUSSION/MOTION: Return to Regular Session.

DISCUSSION: Town IT Report.

DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Approval of Main Street Project MOU.

DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Fund Transfers.

DISCUSSION: Riley Road.

DISCUSSION: Maiden Lane Lift Station.

DISCUSSION: Heyworth Mason Building Update.

Other Business.
Community Input on Agenda Items.

Motion to Adjourn.

Source: US missiles blast Syria; Trump demands ‘end the slaughter’ – Times Union

Champlain Valley Business and Professional Women have announced that applications are now being accepted for participation in the 2017 Virginia Allan Young Careerist Program to be held Tuesday May 2, 2017 at 5:30pm at Uno Pizzeria & Grill on Route 3 in Plattsburgh. Read more »

During the month of May, the Champlain Valley Business and Professional Women’s Club will be hosting “A Celebration of Women in Business Event” This event has been created for the purpose of recognizing and honoring the achievements of working women in the Champlain Valley. As part of our celebration, the Champlain Valley Business & Professional Women’s Club is looking for your nominations for “Business Woman of the Year” and “Employer of the Year.” The North Country is filled with outstanding businesswomen of all ages Read more »

The Peru Central School District is seeking candidates to fill one (1) vacancy on the Board of Education, due to the expiration of the term of Ms. Linda Morgan.

The seat is at large for a five-year term from July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2022.

The ‘Petition for Nomination of Candidate’ is available in the District Office at 17 School Street on Mondays through Fridays, except school holidays, or via the web at http://www.perucsd.org.  Petitions must be directed to the School District Clerk, shall be signed by at least 25 qualified voters of the District, and shall state the name, residence and phone number of the candidate.    Petitions must be returned no later than 5:00 PM on Monday, April 17, 2017.

The School Board Election will be held on Tuesday, May 16, 2017.

L-R Todd Martineau, Leo Wood, Karen Champagne, Donna Downs, Robert Desotelle, Donald Westerkamp

By John T. Ryan

Peru – Liberty’s Garage is a Peru institution. Jack Liberty operated the garage for 25 years. In 1995, Chazy native Jim Champagne purchased the business and successfully operated it until cancer took his life on August 31, 2016. Karen Champagne, Jim’s wife of 38 years, faced a life-changing decision. Would she continue her 22-year career as a clinic manager at Eye Care for the Adirondacks? Would she sell the business or would she become a service station operator?

Karen reflected for several weeks on her undoubtedly emotional choices. While she had her own career, she had helped Jim save money to buy the business. She knew how much he loved his business, its employees and customers. She said, “I had to decide what path I would follow. The doctors I worked for, Dr. Dahlen and Dr. Vilbert, had sold their practice. I thought about selling the garage, but I just wasn’t ready to let that part go.” On Monday morning December 12, 2016 Karen Champagne walked into Liberty’s Garage as its new operator.

Operating a service station has been an entirely new experience. Karen remarked, “Jim talked about the business at home, but there’s a big difference between talking and doing. Fortunately, the staff welcomed me with open arms. They couldn’t have been more accommodating.” Customers know that humor has always been a welcome commodity at Liberty’s. Karen commented, “There hasn’t been too much laughter with my questions. There’s been a few chuckles, especially about my notes.” Karen appreciates her staff’s patience. When it came time to take a photo for this story she said, “Let’s do our family picture.”

Liberty’s Garage has a long history of success and Karen is working hard to continue that legacy. She said, “We want to continue doing good honest work. I try to put myself in the customer’s shoes. We try to explain a bill so a customer can understand what they are paying for.” Women customers will undoubtedly appreciate Karen’s perspective. She explained, “I think we treat female customers the same as male customers when we explain a bill. I want this to be a place where everyone is comfortable.”

Liberty’s is well known for its experienced, highly trained staff. Shop Manager Robert Desotelle is a National Institute of Automotive Excellence (ASE) Certified Master Auto and Medium and Heavy Truck Technician with 12 years experience. Todd Martineau is a C.V. Tech graduate with twenty-seven years experience. Donald Westerkamp graduated from the Lincoln Technical Institute in Connecticut where he studied automotive technology. Leo Wood is the senior staff member with 17 years at Liberty’s. He is a tire expert and general purpose mechanic who enthusiastically greets almost every customer by name. Donna Downs is the staff accountant and works with Karen to schedule appointments. Gas customers appreciate Donna’s rapid service. It’s rare when any gas customer has to wait more than 30 seconds to transact a purchase.

Liberty’s Garage offers the latest technology and a wide-range of services. It subscribes to online electronics services and recently purchased a high-tech computer diagnostic machine. Tune-ups, brake, suspensions and tire work are the most common shop activities, although Liberty’s will even replace engines and transmissions.

The garage is open Monday – Friday from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and on Saturday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 518-643-9016 to make an appointment.

This is the scene at 13 Haynes Terrace in Peru this afternoon after the home owned by Jason and Amber Keable was destroyed by fire. Peru firefighters were called to the scene about 3:30 p.m. They could see smoke from the firehouse and observed flames shooting from the roof as they traveled closer to the residence. No one was injured in the blaze.
Jason Keable said, “I left with my daughter to pick up my two year old son at daycare. I was only gone about ten minutes. As I drove home I could see the smoke. I thought it might be at the store (Jax Convenience Store at Glenwood Plaza). As I got closer I realized it might be my home.” Keable said the house was constructed in 1990. A new kitchen and bathroom were added about a year ago. It appears all the family’s possessions were lost. Keable said the home was insured.

Democratic Party Town of Peru
Officers
Chairman- Brandy McDonald
Vice/Chairman- Jim Douglass
Treasurer- Jean Schiffler
Secretary – Ed Schiffler

Date and Time: Friday, April 7th, from 5:30 – 7:30 pm,

Location: St. Augustine’s Parish Center, Peru

Come one, come all! Please bring a dish to share and join the Peru Democrats at St. Augustine’s Parish Center as we celebrate our American heritage with a potluck social. Everyone is welcome!

In April 1890, the United States government officially embraced the influx of immigrants by opening Ellis Island. We would like to celebrate our immigrant heritage by encouraging all guests to bring a dish that exemplifies their family’s ethnic heritage.

“Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed, to me:
I lift my lamp beside the golden door.”
The evening will be a great chance to share food, stories, and laughs with neighbors. Also provided that evening will be a 50/50 raffle and a postcard-writing station where any interested guests can share their thoughts on immigration (or any other issue) with our state representatives.

We hope you can join us!

PS: While it is not necessary to RSVP, it would be most helpful if you if you would give us a heads up that you are planning on attending.

Thanks

Source: For schools, state budget extender brings uncertainty – Times Union

Minor League Class A Baseball Coming to Plattsburgh 

Source: Plattsburgh Redbirds winding up | Local News | pressrepublican.com

Source: Amish migration sparks safety concerns in Essex County – Sun Community News & Printing

Palm Sunday Brunch

Peru Community Church Fellowship Center, 13 Elm Street, Peru, NY – Sunday, April 9th from 9am – 1pm
All you can eat brunch
Adults – $8.00; Children (ages 5 – 12) $5.00; Under 5 FREE

Scrambled Eggs, French Toast, Bacon,
Biscuits & Sausage Gravy, Hash Browns, Fresh Fruit Salad,
Milk, Coffee, Tea and Assorted Juices

By John T. Ryan

Peru – Contract negotiations, tobacco prohibitions and back-flow prevention valves were some of the topics discussed at the Monday, March 27th Town Board meeting.

An impasse has been declared in contract negotiations between the Town of Peru and its Highway Department CSEA employees. Both sides met with a mediator on Tuesday. Supervisor Peter Glushko said progress was made. Union Representative Scott Houser had no comment. Future mediation sessions have been scheduled.

Counselors discussed tobacco product and usage prohibitions in and around town buildings and vehicles. Smoking cigarettes and the like is prohibited in town buildings and vehicles. Adding e-cigarettes, snuff, chew and similar items to the prohibited items and establishing a no-smoking zone adjacent to town buildings was discussed, Prohibiting the use of tobacco products on any town property was mentioned. Counselors will research the policies being followed by other communities prior to taking any action.

Water-Sewer Superintendent Courtney Tetrault asked for the Board’s guidance when commercial users do not comply with the town’s annual back-flow valve testing requirement. A back-flow value reduces potential contaminating of the town’s potable water system. Tetrault has sent three letters to three users who have not complied. Two other customers have not installed the valves. Tetrault said the law calls for a $100 penalty when annual testing is not conducted. Counselors asked Tetrault to send certified letters prior to initiating any penalty action. Tetrault said there is a contractor who will conduct the test for $45.

Counselors decided to search out a new IT provider. The contract with Simon Moore, who was hired in March 2015, will not be renewed. No reason was stated for not renewing the contract.

County Legislator Peter Keenan presented one of his periodic reports to the board. Keenan said that sales tax collections are ahead of projections and that Construction Phase #1 of the Plattsburgh International Airport has been completed. He said New York State recently awarded $38 million for a second phase and it will include a hotel and a road leading to the hotel. Click here to see MY NBC Report.

In other actions the Board:

• Renewed its accounting services contract with Boulrice and Wood CPS, PC.
• Noted that a time clock will be installed at the new town court building at a cost of $600. The clock will be utilized by the one part-time employee.
• Counselor Jim Douglass commended Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell and Water/Sewer/Parks Superintendent Courtney Tetrault for the excellent work their departments performed during and following the March 15-16 snowfall. Farrell said his department’s seven plows can clear the town’s roads in three to three and one-half hours during a 6 inch snowfall. The March snowfall totaled about 31 inches.
• Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell reported on the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) lobbying trip to Albany. Farrell said he brought up health insurance costs with State Senator Betty Little and that the region’s highway superintendents would like to bargain with health insurance carriers as a group to increase their bargaining power. The proposal will be discussed with Assemblyman Bill Jones.
• Water Superintendent Courtney Tetrault is researching the least expensive method for disposing of the water treatment plant’s backwash sediment. The plant’s filtration system is backwashed three or more times daily depending on water quality. The two lagoons behind the plant hold thousands of yards of sediment and haven’t been emptied since the 1990’s.
• Judge Jim Kirby reported that a security system including cameras is operational at the town court building.
• Dog Control Office David Drollette reported finding 13 unlicensed dogs within the last ten days. The dogs have been/will be licensed.

Peru – Once all approvals are acquired, the Maplefields Convenience Store/Gas Station at 654 Bear Swamp will be ungoing a tear-down and major expansion. Plans have been filed with the Peru Code Enforcement Office and a site-plan will be reviewed by the Planning Board at its Wednesday, April 12th meeting.

Plans detail a 5,280 sq. ft. building replacing the existing 2,770 sq. ft. building. The new building includes a Subway, a hot dog – taquito counter, walk-in coolers and a beer cave. The canope over the diesel fuel pumps will be enlarged.

R. L. Vallee Inc. of St. Albans, Vermont owns Maplefields which has grown into a major Northern New York and Vermont convenience store chain. A new Maplefields is already under construction at the corner of U.S. Avenue and New York Road in Plattsburgh.

R. L. Valle Regional Manager Scott Desnake told the Peru Gazette that the tear-down and rebuild is expected to take about 6 months. The business will not be open during the construction period.

This expansion is one of a series of recent major investments on the Bear Swamp Road including the Rulfs Orchard Farm Stand, the Peru Federal Credit Union, a ultra-modern free-standing Dunkin Donuts and the relocated Peru Town Court building.

April 19, 2017 @ 7:00 PM, TOWN OF PERU
CALL MEETING TO ORDER
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
APPROVAL of March 15, 2017 minutes.
OPEN FLOOR to public hearing
APPLICATION:
Continuation of a Nonconforming Use: Z-2017-0019 North Country Mission of Hope
Continuation of a Nonconforming Use-
3452 Route 22B
Peru, NY 12972
ANY FURTHER BUSINESS
CEO REPORT:
ADJOURNMENT

SUNY Oswego Graduate Al Roker (R) and Oswego student Connor Douglass of Peru, NY at SUNY Oswego this week. The Today Show covered http://www.syracuse.com/…/al_roker_oswego_record_conga_toda… Believe It or Not Record.

Source: Legislators still discussing where to funnel ride-hailing tax money

Source: Asian beetle threatens Adirondack forests that produce iconic baseball bats | NCPR News

The Peru Central School Board of Education will gather Thursday, April 6th at 5:30 PM in the Community Room, adjacent to the main entrance of Peru Jr/Sr High School, for their fifth budget workshop. An executive session associated with particular personnel matters will take place immediately following the 5:30 PM start. The school board is slated to reconvene for the workshop at approximately 6:00 PM. At its budget workshop, the School Board is expected to:

· Review State Budget status
· Discuss Enhancements, Revenues, and Expenditures
The full agenda is available on the Peru CSD website at www.perucsd.org.

The meeting is open to all.

The Peru Community Church announces special Holy Week and Easter season services. We welcome everyone – all are warmly invited to join in worship and Church-sponsored events at any time.

The Palm Sunday services in the Sanctuary on April 9th at 8 am and 10:30 am, herald the triumphant entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem. The Rev. Peggi Eller will provide a sermon entitled “No Ordinary Day in Town”. Palms will be distributed to all. Sunday School for children will meet at 9:15 am. The Annual Palm Sunday Brunch will be on-going from 9 am – 1 pm in the Church’s Fellowship Center.

On Maundy/Holy Thursday, April 13th at 5:30 pm, a Seder Meal with readings will held in the Church’s Fellowship Center, Read more »

From the Office of Assemblyman Bill Jones

Assemblyman Jones: Ride-hailing is long overdue for upstate New York
“While New York City has reaped the benefits of ride-hailing services for years, upstate communities have been unfairly left out. It’s time to change that. That’s why I support allowing these valuable services to operate in all corners of the state.
“In the North Country, ride-hailing would create jobs and increase safety on the roads. Ride-hailing will also provide a reliable alternative to public transportation to help citizens get to much-needed medical appointments and employment opportunities. It is without a doubt that these amenities will help connect our communities and spur economic growth for small businesses.
“I’ll continue fighting to bring ride-hailing upstate so that all New Yorkers can take advantage of these services and enjoy their benefits.”
The Peru Gazette asked Assemblyman’s Jone’s office if “ride-hailing” is another name for Uber and similar services. They responded, “Yes!”

Source: DiNapoli wants Trump to safeguard hazardous rail shipments – Times Union

Don’t forget to tune in to CBS at 8 p.m. for tonight’s Honor Flight-inspired episode of NCIS!
It will come as no surprise to anyone who’s ever watched the popular TV series that the show’s plot revolves around an obligatory, edge-of-your-seat murder for the NCIS team to solve. Beyond that obviously fictional storyline, however, we have been assured the episode paints a compellingly realistic picture of the overwhelming emotional catharsis and renewed sense of pride and purpose so many of our senior-most veterans experience in visiting their national war memorials with North County Honor Flight.
It is a huge testament to the life-changing impact of Honor Flight’s mission that NCIS writer Gina Lucita Monreal was inspired to create the episode based on the rejuvenation she saw in her own grandfather-in-law after his honor flight.
The airing of tonight’s NCIS episode will carry Honor Flight into an unprecedented number of households across the country. It is our goal to use this heightened awareness as a catalyst for reaching local veterans who’ve yet to fly with North Country Honor Flight, encouraging the crucial financial and volunteer support needed to further our mission, and forging new relationships that will enable us to honor veterans now and long into the future.

Thank you for your support in encouraging your friends, family, business associates and community connections to tune in to this special episode of NCIS!