The Peru Gazette

Source: Watertown Daily Times | Jet service returns to Watertown International Airport

Peru – A subdivision agreement, sidewalk construction, grant applications, water testing, zoning board issues, highway department budgeting and a report from County Legislator Peter Keenan highlighted the Peru Town Board’s June 27th meeting.

The proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Town of Peru and Buttonwood Subdivision developer Donald Swain has been sent to Swain for review. In return for deeding land to the town for a new sewage lift station, the MOU has a provision exempting Swain from including sidewalks in the next phase of his subdivision. Counselor Brandy McDonald asked town attorney Matt Favro what options Swain would have if the Peru Planing Board required sidewalks when the subdivision comes up for review. Favro responded, “He probably will sue the town.” The Planning Board has required sidewalks in at least one other development. The majority of board members believe that Swain’s subdivision does not need sidewalks because of its wider lots, his sidewalks would not connect to any existing sidewalks and the fact that his first phase did not include sidewalks.

Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell reported that he will be training his personnel on sidewalk construction. He has acquired forms, pins and dividers and needs a concrete vibrator. Town Clerk Kathy Flynn asked if this might be an area where Peru could share services with neighboring communities.

The town applied for a NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation $1,006,000 water-sewer grant. Assemblyman Billy Jones visited the sewer plant and submitted a letter supporting the application. Last year the grants were announced in August. An application for a State Revolving Funds Grant has also been prepared. Qualifying may require perfecting the recent household income survey. Upgrading the system has been estimated to cost just over $4 million.

An application has also been submitted for a $30,000 NYS Engineering Planning Grant for the preparation of an engineering evaluation of the wastewater treatment plant. It will include options for effluent disinfection. Notification of these grant awards is made in December.

The New York State Health Department has significantly increased the required water sampling for lead and copper content. Peru’s water department recently changed water disinfection chemicals to save money.  The increased testing will reduce those savings.

Matt Favro who serves as town, zoning and planning board attorney said he will be holding pre-meetings with the zoning board to inform them of his legal analysis and how to fit that analysis to the matter being considered. He also recommended that zoning board members attend a Town of Plattsburgh Zoning Board meeting to witness how that board functions.

Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell told the board that he recently attended a budgeting school. He said a few costs such as garage maintenance (approximately $50,000) have been allocated to his department; however, they should have been allocated to the town’s general fund account.

County Legislator Pete Keenan reported that county sales tax collections for FY 2017 are $400,000 above projections. Legislators are hopeful that air service can be established to Philadelphia. The Penn Air connection to Boston is extremely underutilized. It leaves too late to make many connections. Keenan said, “There have been weeks (not days) when Penn Air has had zero passengers.”

Source: A peek inside Norsk Titanium’s high-tech, 3-D printing shop | NCPR News

L-R Mark White, Manager Bonnie St. Cyr, Polly Perky, Janice Krinke, Kati Burdick and Melissa Norman

Apple Blossom Florist is #5 in our Peru Gazette photo series featuring staff members of local businesses and institutions. They are important people in making Peru a wonderful place to live.

Located in Rulfs Orchard and Farm Market’s beautiful new building at 531 Bear Swamp Road, Apple Blossom has been serving our community since 1980. Ed and Shirley Nelson operated the business at 25 Pleasant St. until 2012 when they sold it to Rulfs Orchard.

Apple Blossom is open M-F 9-5, Sat. 9-1. It is closed on Sundays. Phone 643-2108.

More Friendly People of Peru 

Source: Watertown Daily Times | Katie Wilson second Democrat to challenge Stefanik

Source: Watertown Daily Times | Democrat Tedra Cobb to challenge Stefanik for NY-21 seat

Girls Softball Final – June 7, 1983 Peru – vs. NCCS

Thank you Calvin for all you do to make the North Country a wonderful place to live! 

http://www.hometowncablenetwork.com/categories/21-high-school-softball/3797-nccs-peru-section-vii-class-b-softball-final-6-7-83

Source: Lyft coming to Plattsburgh Airport – Sun Community News & Printing   A ride-sharing company. 

Source: Peru PTO clears funding benchmark for playground project – Sun Community News & Printing

Source: Go out of your comfort zone: Peru class of 2017 – Sun Community News & Printing

Margarett Christian & her fiance Henry Demeulemeester

Peru – Margarett Christian’s career has been devoted to assisting handicapped individuals, first as a teacher aide at Peru Central (2006-2015) and then as a Direct Support Professional at Mountain Lake Services. Now, Margarett Christian is the person needing assistance in the form of a diabetic alert dog. A Virginia-based organization named Service Dogs by Warren Retrievers (SDWR) will pay 50% of the dog’s $50,000 cost, but Christian must raise the other 50% or $25,000.

A Keeseville native and resident, Christian addressed the Peru Town Board at last Monday’s meeting stating, “When I learned the Peru walking trail and dog park are handicapped accessible, I knew it would be the perfect place to host my fundraising event.” Margarett wanted a place where the handicapped clients she serves would be comfortable when they attend the event. The board immediately granted permission. Now it’s up to community members to support her cause. The event is scheduled for Saturday, July 15th from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. It will include a dog goody raffle, a dog treat sale and a 50-50 raffle.

The Peru Gazette spoke to Sarah Gibson, Director of Client Services at SWDR. Gibson said training an alert dog costs $50,000. SDWR pays $25,000 through its own fundraising, but the client is expected to raise $25,000. Once the fundraising goal is achieved the dog receives customized training to meet the client’s needs. SDWR personnel will bring the dog to Margarett’s home where the training will continue for a few days. Six months later they will return for a follow-up visit and will provide more follow-up visits for up to eighteen months.

Christian was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes five years ago. About five months ago the diagnosis changed to severe hypoglycemia. She wears a constant glucose monitor; however, her sugar lows often occur while she’s sleeping. She explained, “An alert dog would sense the lows up to 20 minutes sooner than the monitor and reduce the risk of a seizure or coma.”  Alert dogs can bring a more confident and independent lifestyle to severe diabetes sufferers.

Diabetic Alert Dogs are trained to help with just a few of the following :
• Alert High’s and or Low’s 30 – 45 minutes before they occur
• Retrieve third party support
• Retrieve insulin, meter, meds, juice and or bottled water
• In severe cases they can be trained to dial 911 on a specialized dial pad if needed

Contributions are tax deductible. Checks must be made out to SDWR with a notation “In Honor of Margarett Christian.” For further information please call Margarett Christian at 572-7167.

Peru residents near the Jarvis Road have been hearing the pilings being driven for the new Jarvis Road bridge. These photos were taken Wednesday morning.

The Democrats caucused last night at the Peru Town Hall.  The Peru Gazette will do its best to profile each of these candidates prior to the November election.

Town Supervisor – James Douglass
Town Clerk – Incumbent Kathleen Flynn (A Registered Republican)
Town Justice – Incumbent James Kirby
Supintendent of Highways – Incumbent Michael Farrell (A Registered Republican)
Town Council – Kara Bruno Hicks (A Registered Republican)
Town Council – Marque Moffett

The Langley Insurance Agency is #4 in our Peru Gazette photo series featuring people who make Peru a wonderful place to live.

Located at 5 Davey Drive, it’s celebrating its 85th anniversary as a family-owned business. In 1985, James R. Langley and James R. Langley Jr. (Jimmy) purchased the agency from Barbara Thew. Two years ago, Jimmy’s son Tyler J. Langley, joined his father in the business. Customer Service Representative Tammy Montefusco has been with the agency for sixteen years. They can be reached at 643-9052.

Click here to view Ausable Chasm at 7:40 a.m. today. (June 30, not July 30 as stated at the beginning of the video) 

FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM EDT THIS MORNING THROUGH LATE SATURDAY NIGHT… THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BURLINGTON HAS ISSUED A * FLASH FLOOD WATCH FOR CENTRAL AND NORTHERN VERMONT, AS WELL AS ALL OF NORTHERN NEW YORK * FROM 11 AM EDT THIS MORNING THROUGH LATE SATURDAY NIGHT. * NUMEROUS SHOWERS AND EMBEDDED THUNDERSTORMS PRODUCED A SWATH OF HEAVY RAINFALL ACROSS CENTRAL AND NORTHERN PORTIONS OF THE NORTH COUNTRY SINCE YESTERDAY AFTERNOON, WITH RADAR AND AUTOMATED GAGE REPORTS INDICATING ONE AND HALF TO TWO AND HALF INCHES OF RAIN HAVE FALLEN. THIS RAINFALL HAS LED TO RAPID RISES OF CREEKS AND SMALLER RIVERS. * SCATTERED TO NUMEROUS SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL DEVELOP ACROSS THE AREA DURING THE AFTERNOON HOURS TODAY AND AGAIN SATURDAY, WITH ADDITIONAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 1 TO 2 INCHES OR HIGHER EXPECTED THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT. THIS ADDITIONAL RAINFALL WILL LIKELY CAUSE ADDITIONAL RISES ON AREA CREEKS AND RIVERS, WITH LOCALIZED FLASH FLOODING A DISTINCT POSSIBILITY. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… A FLASH FLOOD WATCH MEANS THAT CONDITIONS MAY DEVELOP THAT LEAD TO FLASH FLOODING. FLASH FLOODING IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION SHOULD FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS BE ISSUED. &&

CALL MEETING TO ORDER AT 7 PM
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
APPROVAL of June 14, 2017 minutes.
OPEN FLOOR to public hearing
APPLICATIONS:

1. Site Plan Review: P-2017-013 Leon Blair
Site Plan Review – Retail Store
2924 Main St.
Peru, NY 12972
7. ANY FURTHER BUSINESS:
8. CEO REPORT:
9. ADJOURNMENT

By John T. Ryan

Peru – This week 260 teens from six states have been participating in community service projects at 85 sites within a 30 mile radius of Plattsburgh. They are participating in a Catholic Heart Workcamp. Three groups have been in Peru painting the classrooms at St. Augustine’s Parish Center, gardening at St. Patrick’s Oratory and painting a Peru resident’s home. Hope Griffin, the group leader at the parish center explained, “We hope the workcamp will help the teens realize what it means to be Catholic, how works go together with faith. We want them to be spiritually engaged with the service they’re performing.”

The teens working in the Plattsburgh region came from Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, Michigan and New York. They are being housed at Seton Catholic High School. Their day begins with mass and faith sharing. From 8:30 AM to 3 PM they have been painting, gardening, cleaning up yards, working in soup kitchens and building handicapped ramps. When they return to Seton Catholic they participate in faith-building, music and fun activities. Nine local priests were present last night for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Undoubtedly their sleeping bags and air mattresses feel good at the end of the long day.

Several of the teens working in Peru have participated in work camps for two or more years. Alexia Willoughby explained, “I participated last year and loved it. I wanted to help out again.” Bradley Yeich said, “I liked it the first two years. I enjoy getting to know new people.” Peyton Snidanko, a 9th grader said, “I knew kids who came before me. I got excited and wanted to help.” Erin Judge said 50 to 60 young people from her parish’s youth group are participating this summer. Peyton, Alexia, Bradley and Erin are all from Michigan.

The Catholic Heart Workcamp program began in a Florida parish in 1993 and continues to expand. The program includes play as well as work. The Michigan teens stopped at Niagara Falls on the way to Peru. About 80 youths will tour Lake Placid before leaving for home. They appear to have all appreciated this region’s beauty and hospitality. Let’s hope they return.

On June 10, New York State Environmental Conservation Officer Brad Buffa received information about an individual from Keeseville that had posted photos on his Facebook page indicating he had taken over the limit of turkeys during the May turkey hunting season. Photos on the subject’s Facebook page showed the individual with one turkey taken on opening day and two turkeys taken on Mother’s Day. The hunter posted a picture of himself with the two turkeys captioned: “Two birds with one stone, (well, shot).” Hunters are only allowed two turkeys during the spring season and cannot take more than one turkey per day. ECO Buffa interviewed the individual who posted the photos. He admitted to taking all three turkeys, claiming he accidentally shot the two turkeys with one shot. In total, four tickets were issued for the hunting violations, including Taking Over the Season Limit and Over the Daily Limit of Turkeys. The tickets are returnable on June 26 in the Chesterfield Town Court.

Persons of any faith or of no faith can appreciate the gift Peru has in St. Patrick’s Oratory and Mother Cabrini Shrine. Father Alan Shnob, volunteers and staff put their hearts and souls into caring for it. It’s a place of peace, serenity and beauty. Click here for photos taken today June 28, 2017. 

POTSDAM, NY – Nick Lawliss of Peru, N.Y., a senior at Clarkson University majoring in mechanical engineering, received the Mechanical & Aeronautical Engineering Staff Award as the most promising senior in his major. The recipients are selected by the mechanical & aeronautical engineering faculty based on scholastic performance and other activities.