The Peru Gazette

Zachary Swyers spelled his way to national competition.

Source: Peru Central eighth-grader grabs bee title | News | pressrepublican.com

From the office of NYS Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli

The state Department of Health (DOH) could have saved the Medicaid program as much as $146 million over a six-year period if it had helped Medicaid patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) who meet certain eligibility requirements get the Medicare benefits to which they are entitled, according to an audit released today by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. Auditors estimate those efforts, if implemented, could save another $69 million from 2016 to 2018, which includes $17 million in savings for counties and New York City.
“New Yorkers dealing with kidney failure and struggling with day-to-day life should be informed of their Medicare eligibility, which could reduce their out-of-pocket expenses and may provide them with more options for care.” DiNapoli said. “The state has an obligation not just to patients, but to taxpayers. With the looming uncertainty over Medicaid under the new administration in Washington, states need to take every initiative to defray Medicaid program costs.” Read more »

By John T. Ryan

Monday, February 27, 2017 Peru Town Board meeting highlights included: a highway exchange agreement, equipment purchases and potential background checks for youth commission coaches. The meeting began with a moment of silence as a sign of respect for former town tax assessor Alan Brault who passed away on February 26th.

The board:

• Received notification that the Clinton Highway Department has agreed to exchange ownership of a 2.2 mile portion of the Military Turnpike currently maintained by the town for a 1.54 mile portion of the Mannix Road currently maintained by the county. The Mannix Road portion is between Route 22B and the Clark Road. The Military Turnpike portion extends from Route 22 to the Town of Schuyler Falls line. A resolution to approve the exchange will be drafted for the March 13th meeting.
• Agreed that the town will not plow the dog park or its entrance trail/road during the winter months. A sign will be posted stating that users enter at their own risk. Plowing would damage the stone base material.
• Approved purchase of a 2017 Ford F350 Truck under NYS contract for the Parks Department at a cost of $28,550. The department will sell the oldest of its trucks.
• Approved the Highway Department purchase of a Woods Batwing roadside mower at a cost of $12,202. It will be purchased from the Peru Farm Center.
• Approved a $1,271 alarm system monitoring contract with Tyco Integrated Security.
• Learned from Counselor Donald McBrayer that several interested residents met to discuss future uses for the historic stone building at Heyworth/Mason Park. It was learned that the building is not in a flood plain; however, since the surrounding property is in a flood plain it would be difficult, if not impossible, to insure the building. Discussions will continue.
• Learned that the town’s insurer asked if background checks have been conducted on Youth Commission employees and coaches. The board will investigate the required extent and cost of background checks.
• Resident Jane Alexander told the board that the Town of Peru should promote Battle of Valcour Anniversary celebrations since Valcour Island is mostly in the Town of Peru. The Battle took place from October 11-13, 1776.
• Youth Commission Chairman Greg Mills told the Board that the Youth Baseball Opening Tournament will take place on June 3rd. Summer Activities will begin on July 3rd. The Soccer Kick-off will take place on September 9th.
• Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell reported that repairing the Parsons Road culvert is going to be expensive. Concrete will cost approximately $25,000 in addition to the stud welding charge.

The Peru Community Church invites all to worship, pray and study during this holy season of Lent, which began on Ash Wednesday on March 1 and concludes Easter Sunday on April 16.

The Reverend Peggi Eller, Pastor, will be preaching each Sunday in Lent about the churches in the Book of Revelation, and how Jesus’ message then relates to the church today. Worship services are held each Sunday at 8 AM and 10:30 AM in the sanctuary in the stone building at the corner of Elm and Pleasant Streets in Peru. Both services include a Children’s Sermon, and childcare is available for those 2nd grade and under. Coffee hours follow each service.

Sunday School for pre-school through adult is held each Sunday at 9:15 AM in the Fellowship Center. The Adult Lenten study is called ‘The Jesus Fatwah’ – a 5-week study presented on video by Islamic and Christian scholars providing reliable information about what Muslims believe, how they live out their faith, and how we all can be about building relationships across the lines of faith. Discussion led by Pastor Peggi follows each video clip, and is held in the Chapel in the Fellowship Center.

During Lent, Communion will be served every Sunday at the 8 AM service, and, at the 10:30 AM service, on the first Sunday of each month. A service of Communion and Prayer is also offered each Friday morning at 8 AM in the Fellowship Center as 13 Elm Street – across from the sanctuary.

The Peru Community Church welcomes all to worship. Questions? Please contact the church office / Pastor Peggi Eller at 518-643-8641. Our website is www.perucommunitychurch.com.

United Way of the Adirondack Region, Inc. is planning our 17th Annual Olympian Celebrity Golf Classic and we would like you to be a part of the day-long festivities. The event will be held on Thursday, June 8, 2017. This year the tournament will be at the Lake Placid Club, 88 Morningside Drive in Lake Placid. Like the Golf Classics of the past, each three member team will be paired with an Olympic Celebrity. After the round of golf, there will be a Barbeque and drawings for prizes. This event benefits United Way of the Adirondack Region, Inc. and its’ partner agencies. You can find the registration form on our website, www.unitedwayadk.org (click on the tab for special events) or you can call 518-563-0028 to have one mailed.

The cost is $500.00 for a 3-person Team which includes greens fees, cart and dinner. The team will be joined by a Celebrity guest. Prizes are awarded to: 1st, 2nd & 3rd place winners, skins, longest drive, closest to pin, hole in one & raffle winners.
If you cannot put in a team there are other sponsorship opportunities available.
Tee Box Sponsorship for $200.00
Hole Flag Sponsorship for $100.00
Advertising space in the Golf Classic Program,
Back Cover $500.00
Inside Cover $450.00
Full Page $400.00
1/2 page $200.00
Business Card $100.00

BEWARE Peru and possibly regional electric and gas users. A VERY high pressure representative of Just Energy, an Energy Service Company (ESCO), is in town trying to sign people up to very high fixed green energy electric and gas rates. Personal opinion: DO NOT sign-up without extensive research. I called the NYS Public Service Commission. They recommended going to nypowertochoose.com to compare rates. The electric rate I was quoted was 20% higher than we are currently paying. The gas rate was 60% higher. BEWARE and please advise your neighbors, especially elderly neighbors.

October 6th, 7th, 8th of 2017 this Fall!
The Peru Central School graduating Class of 1977 will be reunited in the North Country! Look Out locals!
Friday afternoon/evening meet @ The Valcour Brewing Company at The Old Stone Barracks formally known as the old base.
49 Ohio Street
Plattsburgh , NY

Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay) announced that legislation he co-sponsored, to reform the state’s School Tax Relief (STAR) program to fix changes made in last years’ budget and remove barriers to prompt tax relief (A.5969) has passed the assembly.

“The changes made last year hurt middle-class families the most,” said Jones. “Homeowners in the North Country struggled to pay their local taxes while waiting for a rebate check that in many cases has still not arrived. That is why I fought for this legislation to pass quickly, so we can keep money into the pockets of hardworking residents.”

Before last year, all eligible homeowners saw a yearly reduction in their school tax bill. Now, all new homeowners – those who bought their first home and those who moved to a different home – have to pay a higher school tax bill then register for a rebate check from the state, which they are supposed to receive each fall. Although the amount of the benefit is the same, the new system is incredibly inconvenient for the affected homeowners, noted Jones.

In the last couple of months since taking office, Jones has received numerous phone calls from constituents who have not received their rebate checks or received it months late. Read more »

ROCHESTER, NY (03/01/2017)– The following local residents made the Dean’s List at Rochester Institute of Technology for fall semester 2016-2017:

Benjamin Morgan of Peru (12972), who is studying in the game design and development program.
Avery Torrance of Peru (12972), who is studying in the applied mathematics program.
Degree-seeking undergraduate students are eligible for Dean’s List if their term GPA is greater than or equal to 3.400; they do not have any grades of “Incomplete”, “D” or “F”; and they have registered for, and completed, at least 12 credit hours

Rochester Institute of Technology is home to leading creators, entrepreneurs, innovators and researchers. Founded in 1829, RIT enrolls about 19,000 students in more than 200 career-oriented and professional programs, making it among the largest private universities in the U.S.

The university is internationally recognized and ranked for academic leadership in business, computing, engineering, imaging science, liberal arts, sustainability, and fine and applied arts. RIT also offers unparalleled support services for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. The cooperative education program is one of the oldest and largest in the nation. Global partnerships include campuses in China, Croatia, Dubai and Kosovo.

Peru Central’s Board of Education will be holding a special meeting on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 at 6:00 PM in the Jr/Sr High School Community Room. The Board is expected to immediately proceed into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing employment history of particular individuals. No other school board or school district business is slated for this meeting.

Climate Change in the North Country
with Dr. Curt Stager
Thursday, March 2 at 6:00 p.m.
Climate change is about more than distant polar bears and rising sea levels. It is happening here, too. What changes are already under way, how do we know, and what changes may be coming in the future? Taking the long view with the help of geologic history and local records from our own home turf can help to answer such questions. It’s not all doom and gloom, fortunately, but one thing is certain: global warming has come to the North Country.

Dr. Curt Stager is a climate scientist, educator, and author whose research deals with the climatic and ecological histories of Africa and the Adirondacks. Since 1987 he has taught natural sciences at Paul Smith’s College, where he holds the Lussi Chair in Lake Ecology and Paleoecology.

Click here to view Hometown Cable Video 

Clinton Community College hosted tours of the $12 million project Monday afternoon.

Source: Institute for Advanced Manufacturing rolling toward completion | Local News | pressrepublican.com

AGENDA – ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS, WEDNESDAY, March 15, 2017 @ 7:00 PM
TOWN OF PERU
CALL MEETING TO ORDER
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
APPROVAL of January 18, 2017 minutes.
OPEN FLOOR to public hearing
APPLICATION:
Use Variance & Area Variance: Z-2017-018 Nicholas Zagrodzki
Use Variance & Area Variance-
8 Oakdale Dr.
Peru, NY 12972

Continuation of a Public Hearing Z-16-0016 Julio Lemos
Continuation of a Public Hearing –
Appealing the decision of the CEO to allow a structure
28 Twin Creek Dr.
Peru, NY 12972
ANY FURTHER BUSINESS
CEO REPORT:
ADJOURNMENT

https://goo.gl/YhQjNX

A 115,000-volt line went down in snowstorm Saturday night, killing electricity to entire village.

Source: Lake Placid power restored; storm left mess | News | pressrepublican.com

Coyote photographed in a field near Peru

By John T. Ryan

Peru – Oftentimes the most interesting part of a Peru Town Board meeting comes up under “Other Business” when Counselor Brandy McDonald reports on what’s going on in and about town. At the Monday, February 13th meeting his subject was coyotes. McDonald reported that about seventy coyotes have been shot in the area and that a security camera photographed a coyote behind his Washington Street house. A coyote also reportedly snatched a small dog from one person’s backyard.

Not being a hunter and knowing very little about coyotes, this reporter decided to investigate. McDonald was correct! There is a significant coyote population in almost every part of New York State. About 30,000 New Yorkers participate in coyote hunting each year and about 3,000 participate in coyote trapping. While few people actually have a problem with coyotes, there are safety concerns especially regarding children, cats, small to medium-sized dogs and livestock.

Bert Owens of Plattsburgh is an experienced and very successful coyote hunter. He shot seventy-eight last year and forty-two so far this year. Last October he shot ten coyotes in the vicinity of the Mannix Road over a two-week period. Owens said he got interested in hunting coyote after witnessing several coyotes eating a doe not far from his hunting camp. Owens said, “We considered that doe off-limits. There’s a need for coyotes, but they have to be managed.” Owens thinks coyote numbers are down this year. Six or seven of the animals he shot have been infected with mange.

Wes Dermody of Peru characterizes himself as a lifetime, avid hunter. He described why he began coyote hunting. “What triggered me was something that happened a few years ago. I live on the River Road. It was early in the evening and my boys were outside playing. I was working in the garden. When I went back in the house I could hear snarling and growling outside. It was coming from about 100 feet away from my kids.” It wasn’t long before Dermody took up coyote hunting. He got permission to hunt on a nearby farm and has killed up to thirteen coyotes in a year.

Do coyotes have positive value? According to DEC, some people actually enjoy hearing coyotes’ evening “serenades.” Animals such as foxes, fishers, ravens and even golden eagles benefit from coyote-abandoned deer carcasses and farmers definitely appreciate reduced numbers of woodchucks.

Competition is an important part of many sporting activities and predator hunting is no exception. X-PLO Firearms and Ammunition Shop at 1080 Military Turnpike in Plattsburgh has been sponsoring a Predator Derby that ran from February 1 to today. Owner Ronda Barber said, “Our customers were asking for one. They’re popular in other parts of the state. Our derby also includes bobcat and fox. People make new friends and have a great time.”

Barber said the derby’s proceeds are given to the North Country Honor Flight and the Veterans Assistance Bureau. Last year $1,200 was contributed. As of this Wednesday, 75 entrants had taken over 70 coyotes, the largest weighing 52.4 pounds. Adult coyotes typically weigh 35 to 45 pounds, though the hunters say the coyotes this region are gradually increasing in size.

A DEC webpage offers several safety recommendations:

Coyote Conflicts
The Eastern coyote is firmly established in New York. They live in New York as an integral part of our ecosystems. People and coyotes can usually coexist if the natural fear of people that coyotes have is maintained. Pets and young children are typically most at risk.

Below are steps you should take to reduce and prevent coyote problems from occurring.

• Do not feed coyotes and discourage others from doing so
• Unintentional food sources attract coyotes and other wildlife and increase risks to people and pets. To reduce risks:
◦ Do not feed pets outside.
◦ Make any garbage inaccessible to coyotes and other animals.
◦ Eliminate availability of bird seed. Concentrations of birds and rodents that come to feeders can attract coyotes. If you see a coyote near your bird feeder, clean up waste seed and spillage to remove the attractant.
• Do not allow coyotes to approach people or pets.
• Teach children to appreciate coyotes from a distance.
• If you see a coyote, be aggressive in your behavior – stand tall and hold arms out to look large. If a coyote lingers for too long, then make loud noises, wave your arms, throw sticks and stones.
• Do not allow pets to run free. Supervise all outdoor pets to keep them safe from coyotes and other wildlife, especially at sunset and at night.
• Regulated hunting and trapping increases the “fear” coyotes have towards people.
• Fencing your yard may deter coyotes. The fence should be tight to the ground, preferably extending six inches below ground level, and taller than 4 feet.
• Remove brush and tall grass from around your property to reduce protective cover for coyotes. Coyotes are typically secretive and like areas where they can hide.
• Contact your local police department and NYSDEC regional office for assistance if you notice that coyotes are exhibiting “bold” behaviors and have little or no fear of people.
• Ask your neighbors to follow these same steps.

Lt. Col. Jerry Mastan advised 962nd Ordnance Company of Plattsburgh to embrace faith, to journal and maintain contact with loved ones.

Source: Family gathering gives sendoff to U.S. Army Reserve platoon | Local News | pressrepublican.com

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli issued a report today detailing regional trends in education funding, enrollment and conditions across the state. The report analyzes school district financial and demographic information from nine separate regions outside of New York City.
“Investments in New York’s public schools are vital at both the state and local level,” DiNapoli said. “By examining regional comparisons and trends in school district revenues, expenditures and student demographics, we can better inform the decisions of state lawmakers, education stakeholders and taxpayers.”
In 2014-15, total school district revenues were $37.7 billion, which includes federal and state aid, the STAR subsidy and local revenue. Local revenue, overwhelmingly from property taxes, made up more than half of total school revenues (54.5 percent), an increase of 3 percentage points from 2004-05. Over the same period, federal and state aid (including STAR) each declined slightly as a percentage of total revenue by 1.4 and 1.6 percentage points.
Wealthier districts in New York often depend more on local revenues, such as property taxes, and less on state aid. For example, 68 percent of revenues for Long Island schools come from property taxes and other local sources. Similarly, the Mid-Hudson Valley relies on property taxes for nearly two-thirds of its revenues. In contrast, local revenues comprise only about a third of school district revenues for the Mohawk Valley and North Country regions. Read more »

Fake phone calls from people claiming to be tax collectors. Emails requesting Social Security numbers out of the blue. These are just a few of the scams that senior citizens are being targeted with all across the state.

Source: In Massena, Sen. Gillibrand urges senior citizens to get wise about fraud | NCPR News

Biotech Energy plans to invest $30,000, create 10 new jobs in space at Clinton Community College.

Source: Plattsburgh-based firm expanding through Start-Up NY | Local News | pressrepublican.com

AGENDA – TOWN BOARD REGULAR MEETING, February 27@ 7:00 PM

Call Meeting To Order

Pledge of Allegiance

Roll Call

MOTION: Approval of Minutes for the February 13, 2017 Regular Board Meeting.

Community Input

DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Water/Sewer Truck Purchase

DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Sewer Bond Resolution Clarification.

DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Hwy. Dept. Mower Purchase.

DISCUSSION: Alarm System Inspection.

DISCUSSION: Sewer System Repair Update.

DISCUSSION: Heyworth Mason Building Update.

DISCUSSION: Background Checks for Youth Program Workers.

DISCUSSION: Town Dog Park Winter Operations.

DISCUSSION/MOTION: Motion to adjourn to Executive Session

DISCUSSION/MOTION: Motion to return from Executive Session

DISCUSSION: Other Business.

DISCUSSION: Public Comments on Agenda Items Only.

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

Meet and Greet Candidate 21st Congressional District  Patrick Nelson

A Message from the Peru Democratic Party

On Sunday March 5th from 5-7pm there will be a Meet and Greet for Democratic Congressional 21st District, Candidate “Patrick Nelson”. Location will be at Cheryl Lussier’s home located at 19 Lakeside Court in Plattsburgh. All are invited to attend and we encourage everyone to invite any friends and family members who may also like to meet with Patrick.

To RSVP please reach out to Adam Guillette at 518-578-3885 or by email at adamguillette52@gmail.com.

Thanks everyone and hope to see you Sunday March 5th at 5pm!

The Peru Central School Board of Education will gather Tuesday, February 28th at 6 PM in the Jr/Sr High School Community Room for their second public session budget workshop. At its budget workshop, the School Board is expected to:

· Examine current year projections
· Review tax levy limit calculation
· Receive overview of revenues
· Discuss and determine budget parameters

The full agenda is available on the Peru CSD website at www.perucsd.org.

The meeting is open to all.