The Peru Gazette

The Town of Peru, Town Board has scheduled a Public Hearing at 6:45 PM on Monday May 8, 2017.  The purpose of the Public Hearing will be to hear the Public Concerns on the newly revised Local Law on Dog Control.  The regular meeting will follow at 7:00 PM.  The meeting is open to all.

Kathleen Flynn

Town Clerk

PROPOSED 2017 DOG LAW

AGENDA – Town of Peru Planning Board, WEDNESDAY, May 10, 2017 @ 7:00 p.m
APPLICATIONS:

1. Site Plan Review: P-2017-004 Peru Sand & Gravel LLC
Site Plan Review – Operate an Excavation Business
Rod & Gun Club Rd.
Peru, NY 12972

2. Merge with SEQR: P-2017-005 Robert Kaschak
Merge
3086 Main St.
Peru, NY 12972

3. Site Plan Review with SEQR: P-2017-006 Robert Kaschak
Site Plan Review – Operate a Commercial Sign Business
3092 Main St.
Peru, NY 12972
4. Site Plan Review: P-2017-007 Robert Kaschak
Site Plan Review – Free Standing Sign
3092 Main St.
Peru, NY 12972

5. Site Plan Review: P-2017-008 Jessica Bigelow
Site Plan Review – Free Standing Sign
806 Bear Swamp Rd.
Peru, NY 12972

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

Source: Officials offer glimpse of Plattsburgh Airport makeover – Sun Community News & Printing

Source: Airport eyes expanded flight options – Sun Community News & Printing

Source: Unified basketball brings new avenues of competition to Section VII – Sun Community News & Printing

At approximately 7:00 this morning, a Peru CSD school bus was involved in an accident.
No student or staff injuries have been reported.
Students have been transported safely to campus.
State Police are investigating.

Source: Stefanik wants more details on health care effort – Times Union

1st Place in the 2015 and 2016 Queens Marathons

2017 Boston Marathon

By John T. Ryan

Peru – People living in or near the Peru hamlet undoubtedly recall Charles Remillard. He’s the tall, red-headed young man we saw running by our homes as a member of the Peru High School Track Team. Graduating in 2011, Charles went on to star for the SUNY Oneonta Red Dragons. Today, he’s running much longer distances. Last November he finished 33rd overall (2nd in his men’s age group) in the New York City Marathon and last week he was the 78th overall in the famous Boston Marathon. Remillard commented, “The Boston Marathon didn’t go quite as well as I had hoped. There’s a downhill stretch at the beginning. I went out too fast. I also didn’t wear socks so I had problems with my shoes.” Nevertheless, his success was no small feat given that 51,394 people crossed the finish line in NYC and over 26,000 in Boston.

At SUNY Oneonta Remillard excelled at the 10,000 meter run winning the SUNYAK Outdoor Championship in 2014-15. A marathon is 42,164 meters/26.2 miles. Remillard said, “I always felt the longer distance was more advantageous for me. Unfortunately, that’s even more time consuming.” He’s out of bed at 4:45 a.m. in order to run 10 miles. At 7:30 a.m. he arrives at Scholars Academy in Queens, NY where he teaches 7th grade science. After school, he runs 5 miles along or on a Rockaway Park beach. Add daily strength training to his 90 to 110 weekly running miles, plus being a teacher, Charles Remillard is a busy young man. Having grown up at Remillard Farms, the son of Tom and Cheryl Remillard, he has the advantage of having always been around hard workers.

Charles is enjoying big city life commenting, “Right now I want to explore different experiences. Working in a community with so much diversity is a very new experience.” Asked if he misses farm life he responded, “I miss the farm a lot. I’ve considered eventually coming back to the farm.” Prior to making any major move he plans to earn a Masters Degree. He said, “I’m looking at Cornell University’s Agricultural Science Masters program.” Charles Remillard appears to have a great background for that challenge having been an All-Academic athlete in college and a teacher at one of New York City’s best academic schools.

The Peru Highway Department is busy sweeping hamlet streets this morning (Monday). They work quickly, so if you have sand to rake off your lawn, now is the time to do it.

Source: Americans don’t like museums, so an Adirondack museum rebrands | NCPR News

By John T. Ryan

Peru – The North Country Mission of Hope’s non-conforming use application for the former K of C Hall/Fitness Center at 3452 Route 22 was not approved by the Peru Zoning Board of Appeals at its Wednesday, April 19th meeting. Mission of Hope Board President Sally Kokes told the Peru Gazette, “It came down to an interpretation of the law. We’re not giving up because we really need the building. I was surprised. Everyone seemed to be in favor of it.”

Board Chairman Jim Falvo told the Peru Gazette, “I voted no based on Section 502 of the Zoning Law (Titled “Termination”) which states that when a nonconforming use has been discontinued for more than one year, it cannot be reestablished. I advised the Mission of Hope representatives to apply for a use variance.”

Board member Robin Bashaw disagrees stating, “The Mission of Hope applied under Section 503 (Titled Change to Another Nonconforming Use), not Section 502. Section 503 states that a nonconforming use may be changed to another nonconforming use…” Bashaw is of the opinion that the building did not lose its nonconforming use status simply because it has been vacant for more than one year. He pointed out that neither the word “termination” or the word “discontinued” is defined in Peru’s zoning ordinance and that his research has satisfied him that the building’s status as a conforming use was not terminated.

The Zoning Board currently consists of six members*, meaning four affirmative votes are required for approval of an action. Members Dwane Bast and Rob Bashaw voted yes. Chairman James Falvo voted no. Members Steve LaBounty and Tom Fusco had not made a decision; therefore, they abstained. Member Tim St. Pierre was not present.

Peru Zoning Attorney Matt Favro was not present at Wednesday’s meeting. Over the next few days he will listen to a tape recording of the proceedings and will hopefully be ready to state his findings at the Zoning Board’s May 17th meeting.

* The Zoning Board is in the process of being reduced from 7 to 5 members. When the senior member’s term expires, his position will be filled.

Call Meeting To Order

Pledge of Allegiance

Roll Call

MOTION: Approval of Minutes for the April 10, 2017 Regular Board Meeting.

Community Input

DISCUSSION/MOTION: Second Seasonal Hire for Water/Sewer/Parks.

DISCUSSION: Maiden Lane Lift Station Update.

DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: AES 2017-18 Term Renewal Agreement Approval.

DISCUSSION: Water/Sewer Surplus Equipment.

DISCUSSION: Pickleball Court Update.

DISCUSSION: Murphy’s Water Bill.

DISCUSSION/MOTION: Pictometry Purchase.

DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Fund Transfers.

DISCUSSION/MOTION: Set Dog Law Public Hearing Date.

DISCUSSION: Foil Requests.

DISCUSSION: Rulfs Grand Opening.

DISCUSSION: Other Business.

DISCUSSION: Public Comments on Agenda Items Only.

DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Approve/Pay Bills.

The Foundation of CVPH is proud to be a co-sponsor of the 4th Annual Evening of Healing: Stories of Strength.  This year’s event is set for Monday, April 24 at 6 p.m. at the Newman Center and we hope you can join us for a powerful and inspiring evening.  The goal of An Evening of Healing is to open communication for attendees to learn where and how to find strength, connect with people so healing can begin, and leave with a sense of hope and purpose.  Thank you to the Clinton County NY Coalition to Prevent Suicide, Northern Insuring, Behavioral Health Services North and Twinstate for organizing this special community event.

Source: Peru awaiting state feedback on revitalization plan – Sun Community News & Printing

Peru – St. Augustine’s Knights of Columbus Council 7273 Bill McBride Jr. Memorial Golf Tournament will be held Friday, June 16th at the Adirondack Golf and Country Club. The tournament is dedicated to its former chairman, Bill McBride Jr., who passed away on February 28th. Shotgun start at 10 a.m. Obtain entry forms and information from Greg Lombard at 593-2652 or email gnetlombard@charter.net.

By John T. Ryan

Peru – The Peru Town Board conducted an emergency meeting on Wednesday, March 29th. According to the minutes the purpose was to hire and introduce the town’s new IT provider, Patrick Garsow, and to learn his top three priorities. Garsow told the board that over the next 30 days he would implement computer system security, get back-up and recovery systems working and migrate data to a new server.

The town purchased a new server in April 2015 at a cost of $8,150. Garsow said correcting the issues with that server would cost more than purchasing a new one. He took the old server in trade.  The new, faster server will cost the town about $6,000. The total cost including data migration and software installation will not exceed $10,000.

At its April 10, 2017 meeting Supervisor Peter Glushko explained that when the board sensed problems with its computer systems it called upon Twinstate Technologies and Garsow to evaluate the system. Both Twinstate and Garsow recommended immediate action. After discussion, the board decided to hire Garsow based on his cost, experience and availability.

Garsow said the new server is in operation, all systems have been properly backed up and that several infections were discovered and resolved. He reported problems with the town’s KVS accounting software saying, “It’s non-functional at this time.” He said KVS tech support has been slow to respond, unable to resolve issues, and not available 24 hours daily.  (Editor’s Note – the KVS issue was resolved the following day and is now in operation)

Garsow recommended updating the operating systems on all the town’s 15 computers and establishing less expensive three-year contracts for anti-virus protection and cloud backup systems. Given KVS’s poor support, he would like to eventually seek out another accounting software provider. He also pointed out that the town hall’s computers and its servers are on the same wireless network. Garsow said that is not a good practice.

Supervisor Peter Glushko recommended that Garsow’s work be audited on an annual or bi-annual basis by an outside party. He mentioned Twinstate Technology. Garsow said he thought Glushko had made a good suggestion saying, “I definitely can’t audit my own work.”

Assemblyman Jones helps secure funding to deter crime through rehabilitation

Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay) announced that the 2017-18 state budget he helped pass includes $17,500 in funding to create a substance use disorder counselor position at the Clinton County Jail in partnership with the Champlain Valley Family Center.

“Time and time again, those struggling with addiction are rearrested on similar charges without the chance to break their dependency,” Jones said. “By creating a substance use disorder counselor position at our county jail, we are giving inmates a chance to change their future and get on the road to recovery and in turn, reduce crimes related to addiction.”

The funding was made available through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program, which aims to reduce crime and violence across the state. The grant will help establish an approximately 35-hour weekly program operated by the Champlain Valley Family Center. Clinton County Jail and the family center have also committed $12,000 each to jump-start the initiative. Read more »

St. Augustine’s Church on Easter Monday. As the the author Matt Kelly suggests, stop by for 10 minutes each day or as often as you can to just to think, relax and/or give thanks. Click here for 13 photos. 

Peru Central School District’s Board of Education will have a brief, special meeting on the morning of Thursday, April 20^th at 6:00 PM in the Jr/Sr High School Community Room.

Thursday morning’s brief special meeting will focus on consideration of the BOCES administrative budget for the 2017‐2018 school year and consideration of candidates running for seats on this region’s BOCES.

Budget Workshop to be discussed.

The full agenda is available at www.perucsd.org.

All are welcome.