The Peru Gazette

Feature story on Francisco and Karen Gruendling Bouchard-Braun

Source: Strictly Business – Where good things grow

The Peru Highway Department will be closing Mannix Road again Wednesday from Old Town Road to Calkins Road for a cross culvert. No through traffic will be closed from 6:30 am til 4 pm

L-R Nick and Richard Arnold

Machine destined for Chazy Orchards leaves the shop

By John T. Ryan

Peru – The sign outside Richard Arnold’s Dashnaw Road shop reads “Peru Welding,” but the business’ compete name is Peru Welding and Machine and for good reason. Beginning in 1978, Arnold has been manufacturing a variety of machines ranging from wood boilers to hydraulic corral gates and bridge components. For the past six years he has been working side-by-side with his son Nick. While Richard Arnold has no formal training in engineering, customers often use words like creative, clever and genius to describe him. Arnold has a simple explanation for his skills. He said, “I use the mind’s eye.”

Six years ago orchardist Mason Forrence asked Arnold to design a tractor mounted work platform. Forrence recalled, “We were working with Cornell. We knew the apple industry was going to smaller trees. We wanted to get away from using ladders.” Today Richard Arnold’s Mechanized Work Platform is being used by numerous orchardists in the Champlain and Hudson Valleys. The 9th third generation machine will be delivered in a few days.

The small trees in today’s apple orchards are supported by a trellis-pole system. If fruit develops too high in a young tree or the tree exceeds a certain height above the trellis system, limbs break and the tree’s lifetime productivity is significantly reduced. The Mechanized Work Platform, equipped with pneumatic pruning guns and electric chain saws, has revolutionized the pruning process. An 80-acre orchard that once took five men 30 days to prune can be pruned by two men in ten days. The work environment is also much safer and personnel are not exhausted at the end of the work day. Mason Forrence said, “Every grower we’ve introduced the machine to thinks it’s great!”

Workers control the tractor’s speed, direction and braking from the platforms. Arnold developed the mechanical, electrical and pneumatic systems that control the tractor, the pruning guns and the chain saws. He explained, “Standing on the platforms, orchard workers get the big picture from above. No one has to be on a ladder in the midst of the limbs. You can see the difference in row uniformity.”

Every invention undergoes a development process. The first generation work platform consisted of two fixed platforms welded to a steel beam mounted on a tractor’s drawbar. The second generation was located over a tractor’s hood, but the platforms were still fixed. Arnold recalled, “When I watched that machine work and saw the difficulty workers were having reaching the leaning trees. I knew the platforms had to extend and retract.” Today workers simply rotate switches to extend and retract one or both platforms.

Richard Arnold is very proud that his machines are “Made in the USA” and he is hopeful that in the not too distant future Peru Welding and Machine’s Mechanical Work Platform will be utilized throughout the USA and beyond. He also has a vision for more Mechanized Work Platform advances in his “mind’s eye.”

James Spencer removes apples before they damage the young trees.

Desroy Thatcher and Clifford Edwards at Forrence’s Valcour Farm

Clifford Edwards using a pneumatic pruning gun

L-R CFA President Clark Forster, Property and Casualty Manager Gloria Henaghan, Chief Operating Officer Alex Forster, Administrative Executive Assistant Dominique Dragon and Administrative Assistant Rebecca Banker-Godfrey

Peru – The CFA Insurance Agency Inc. is #10 in our Peru Gazette series featuring the people who make Peru a great place to live. CFA has been doing business in Peru since 2004 and moved into its new, larger location at 686 Bear Swamp Road (the former Beaumont Medical Center Building) in 2013. Clark Forster, a Keeseville native, is the company’s founder and president. Call 643-7946 for information.

Wednesday, August 9, 2017 @ 7:00 at the Peru Town Hall

ALL MEETING TO ORDER
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
APPROVAL of July 12, 2017 minutes.
OPEN FLOOR to public hearing
APPLICATIONS:

1. Site Plan Review with SEQR: P-2017-014 North Country Behavioral Medicine, PLLC – Dino Santoro
Site Plan Review – Drs. Office
3384 Rt. 22
Peru, NY 12972

7. ANY FURTHER BUSINESS:
8. CEO REPORT:
9. ADJOURNMENT

The Mannix Road will be closed from Rounds Drive to Old Town Road on Monday, Tuesday, August 1st from 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The town will be replacing a culvert in that area. There will be no through traffic, including emergency vehicles, during that time.

Source: City eyes makeover for train station – Sun Community News & Printing

Source: County considering PLA for airport work | Local News | pressrepublican.com

Coach Woodward’s “Just DU It” Memorial Duathlon has been scheduled for Saturday, September 23^rd at 9:00 am at the Lapham Mills Recreation Park in Peru, NY. The duathlon will begin with a 2.5 mile run, followed by a 12 mile bike ride, and concludes with an additional 2.5 mile run. There is both an individual or team category and a fat tire division. To register for the event, go to the Adirondack Coast Event’s website at www.adirondackcoastevents.com and click on “Race Calendar and Results” or click on the following link at https://runsignup.com/Race/NY/Peru/ScottWoodwardMemorialDuathlon.

For further information, visit the duathlon’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/coachwoodward/ or email Cheryl Breen Randall at cbreenlp@gmail.com. All proceeds will benefit the Scott W. Woodward Memorial Scholarship at Peru Central School where three scholarships will be awarded annually to a senior female and male track and/or cross country runner and a varsity football player.  Scott was an alumnus and longtime track and cross country coach at Peru Central School, and enthusiastic cyclist winning four NYS Time Trial Championships.

Source: City Council abolishes 4 departments | Local News | pressrepublican.com

Peru Central School District’s Board of Education will hold a special meeting on Monday, July 31^st at 5:45 PM in the District’s Community Room, located in the Jr/Sr High School at 17 School Street.

An executive session associated with the employment history of a particular person and/or matters leading to the appointment or employment of particular persons will take place immediately following the 5:45 PM start.

No other school board or school district business is slated for this meeting.

The full agenda is available on the District’s website.

Source: Mission of Hope needs helpers for building project | Local News | pressrepublican.com

From the Office of Assemblyman Bill Jones

Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay) announced that a bill he authored making it easier for kids to protect themselves from insect bites while at camp has been signed into law (Ch. 163 of 2017). The new law allows children attending overnight camp, summer day camp and traveling summer day camp to apply camp-authorized insect repellent with the written consent of a parent or guardian. Previously, children were required to provide a doctor’s note in order to carry and use insect repellent.

“It’s important that kids are able to protect themselves from the potential dangers associated with insect bites, especially during the summer when they’re spending a lot of their time outdoors,” Jones said. “This law will make it easier to keep kids safe and healthy while enjoying all the North Country has to offer.”

Camps will be required to maintain a record of each parent or guardian permission slip. Camp workers are also allowed to assist any child who is physically unable to apply the insect repellent themselves when directed by the child.

2017 Hay & Grain Harvest/Antique Tractor Weekend at Babbie Rural & Farm Learning Museum August 19-20, 2017 from 10:00am to 4:00pm at 250 River Road, Peru, NY   12972. (518) 643-8052   www.babbiemuseum.org

Ongoing demonstrations include harvesting of hay and grain with antique farming equipment; the blacksmith shop and granary; soap making; spinning of flax into linen.

Have the kids visit the museum animals, milk AppleBlossom the “cow”, ride the  stagecoach and Thomas the Train.  

Have fun testing your knowledge in various categories at the game of JEOPARDY. Four games each day with a prize to the winner of each game.

Get your prize antique tractor out and show it off at the museum.  Then take it for a ride around Peru for our 2nd Annual Antique Tractor Ride (Sunday 3pm).  Guaranteed to be fun!

Enjoy ice cream from the Frosty Cow.  Hotdogs, chips and drinks will be available for purchase at our picnic area.

Sweet Treat is #9 in our Peru Gazette series featuring the people who make Peru a great place to live. A favorite Peru gathering place, the ice cream shop is open seven days a week from noon until 9 p.m at 2897 Main St.

Here’s the 2017 Sweet Treat Crew (L-R) Emily Lombard, Maddy Flynn, Avery Trombley, Jenny Cibula, co-owner Tim Arnold, Jared Posada, co-owner Jeanne Arnold, Nate Armes, Mary Polhemus, Missing: Lindsay Brown & Kira Fisher

Existing Remillard barn

252 ft. x 110 ft. clear span pole barn

Interior view of the new barn

By John T. Ryan

Peru -Motorists heading north on I-87 over the past several days may have noticed the large barn under construction at the Remillard Farm; it is large at 252 ft x110 ft.. The clear span pole barn is an extension of a barn constructed in 2006 giving the Remillards much more for room for young cattle and dry (non-lactating) cows. The new barn is being constructed by a Pennsylvania-based Amish contractor. Construction began last week and should be completed by this Friday. The concrete floor will be installed by a local contractor.

By John T. Ryan

Peru – Improvements continue at Peru’s water treatment plant. At the town board’s July 10, 2017 meeting counselors approved Courtney Tetrault’s recommendation to purchase a remote telemetry system which will enable water department personnel to control hamlet water pressure via computer. AquaLogics System, Inc. of Syracuse, NY submitted a price of $25,975.

Water turbidity (cloudy or hazy water) can also be an issue, especially during heavy rainfall. Filtration has to be slowed and filter backwashing increased. The council approved the purchase of a turbidity metering and monitoring system at a cost of $8,383 from Hach, an analytical and instrumentation company based in Loveland, Colorado.

Water system improvements initiated in 2012 were financed by a $3.65 million bond issue. $81,000 of the bond money was not spent and will be used to finance these upgrades. Purchase of a water filtration plant security and fire alarm system is also being planned.

Counselor Donald McBrayer recommended that district water users be informed of the filtration issues that arise during periods of heavy rainfall. If users reduce water consumption, the system would be much more likely to function safely and efficiently. Thinking about the town’s future growth McBrayer remarked, “As our system expands it might be advisable to look into the feasibility of using drilled wells as water source.” Peru’s water is currently sourced from Furnace Brook that flows into the town’s reservoir.

Source: NY offers first regular public tours of state Education Building – Times Union

Source: New York expands access to voter registration forms – Times Union

Au Sable Forks – Tahawus Center in association with the Hollywood Theater, proudly present episodes 
from the new “Mohawk Ironworkers” documentary. This remarkable film celebrates the steely determination of the Mohawk ironworkers of Kahnawake, Akwesasne and Six Nations, who are said to be “the best ironworkers on the planet.” “Mohawk Ironworkers” was produced by Paul M. Rickard, George Hargrave, and Au Sable Fork’s own Margaret Horn. Margaret interviewed many of the characters as researcher and associate producer. The series features a team of Indigenous directors including Jeff Dorn, Margaret Horn, Courtney Montour, Paul M. Rickard, and Michelle Smith.

WHEN / WHERE: Monday, August 7, 7pm. Hollywood Theater, 14232 Rt 9N, Au Sable Forks, 518-647-5953. Parking in rear.

ADMISSION: $10 with advance reservation (name on list), $12 at the door.

In this very special event, four episodes will be introduced by Margaret Horn, one of the directors of Mohawk Ironworkers, and one whose family has been intimately involved in the trade for several generations. Margaret Horn is well known to the Ausable Valley area for curating the groundbreaking art exhibit, “Mohawk of the Adirondacks” at the Tahawus Gallery 2012. A reception for guests and to meet Margaret Horn is included in the evening. Reservations are recommended: 646-734-7151. The episodes include
• Training For Steel – an overview of just what it takes to be an ironworker (by Margaret Horn)
• Women – who can be involved in the trade (by Courtney Montour)
• Albert Stalk – or “Eiffel Al,” a great character, who shows how demanding the trade is)
• World Trade Center – “When the NYC Twin Towers were destroyed on 9/11, over 50 Mohawk ironworkers helped clear the wreckage of the iconic Towers their fathers built. But no one was prepared for the health risks of the Ground Zero cleanup. The cleanup cost Jaysen Mayo his health and career, and Brad Bonaparte, his life. After 9/11, Mohawks, like John McGowan, continue to honor their relationship with the World Trade Center by building One World Trade Center, the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere.”

Funding support for Native Content at Tahawus Center comes from the Puffin Foundation, with additional program activity support from: Casella Waste Systems, Ausable Dental Center, Stewart’s Shops, the Adirondack Foundation-Generous Acts Fund, Cloudsplitter Foundation, Lake Placid Education Fund, Newton Family Fund, and an Essex County Arts Council’s Cultural Assistance Program Grant with funding provided by Essex County. Tahawus Center is a program of the 501c3 Appleby Foundation, Inc.