The Peru Gazette

Chapel view

By John T. Ryan

Recalling Christmas 2016 at St. Augustine’s Church, 3035 Main St., Peru, NY 12972. Click here to view 10 photos. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Stewart’s Shops’ 2016 Holiday Match program set a new record for the third consecutive season, raising over $1.85 million for local children’s organizations.

Source: Over $1.8 million raised for children’s charities – Sun Community News & Printing

Happy New Year to all Peru Gazette readers. Thank you for taking the time to read our articles and view our photos in 2016.

We will do our best to provide you with even more articles and photos in 2017. There are always interesting things happening in and near Peru.

PERU — Teachers and students from the Peru Central School District are working together to identify the best ways to implement technology into their classrooms.

Source: Peru CSD teachers, students collaborating on tech advances – Sun Community News & Printing

By John T. Ryan

The Peru Town Board conducted its final 2016 meeting this morning at 8 a.m. As expected, the proposal to increase water/sewer usage rates and charges for repairs, mid-quarter reads and hydrant fills was approved. Water-Sewer Superintendent Courtney Tetrault has told the board that a typical residential user would experience a $32 per year increase.  Click here to see the specific increases

The board also approved several year-end line item budget transfers.

The meeting was conducted by Counselor Jim Douglass. Supervisor Peter Glushko and Counselor Brandy McDonald were excused.  Mr. Douglass and Counselors Donald McBrayer and Jim Langley wished fellow counselors, town staff members and all residents a very Happy New Year!

Two with critical injuries in crash on Military Turnpike.

Source: Vehicle cut in half in West Chazy wreck | News | pressrepublican.com

AGENDA – TOWN BOARD REGULAR MEETING
December 30, 2016 @ 8:00 AM
Call Meeting To Order

Pledge of Allegiance

Roll Call

MOTION: Approval of Minutes of the December 27, 2016 Regular Board Meeting.

Community Input

DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Increase in Water & Sewer Rates for 2017

DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Authorize Transfer of Town General Funds.

DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Authorize Transfer of Town Highway Funds.

DISCUSSIONRESOLUTION: Authorize Transfer of Peru Sewer Funds.

DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Authorize Transfer of Valcour Sewer Funds.

DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Authorize Transfer of Town Water Funds.

DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Authorize Loan From General Savings To Water and Sewer Fund.

DISCUSSION: Other Business.

DISCUSSION: Public Comments on Agenda Items Only.

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

AGENDA – Peru Planning Board, WEDNESDAY, January 11, 2017 @ 7:00 PM

CALL MEETING TO ORDER
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
APPROVAL of December 14, 2016 minutes.
OPEN FLOOR to public hearing
APPLICATIONS:
1. Continuation of a Site Plan Review: P-2016-027 College Auxiliary Services PSU
Continuation of a Site Plan Review – Hotel/Motel
3714 State Rt. 9
Plattsburgh, NY 12901

ANY FURTHER BUSINESS:
CEO REPORT:
ADJOURNMENT

Rob Davis

The Alice T. Miner Museum Presents
Brewing Up History
Thursday, January 19, 2017 at 6:00 p.m.

Chazy, N.Y.—Beer is one of humankind’s oldest beverages. Some of the earliest known writings deal with beer and brewing, and archaeological evidence of beer production dating to ca. 3500 BCE has been found in the Middle East. Today’s craft breweries embrace local traditions and ingredients, just as cultures around the world have done for centuries. Rob Davis, Master Brewer for the Valcour Brewing Company in Plattsburgh, will lead a virtual tour through the history of beer and brewing at the Alice T. Miner Museum. Along the way, attendees will have the opportunity to try some samples of the brewer’s art!

Rob Davis began his professional career as brewmaster for the Great Adirondack Brewing Company in Lake Placid from 1997 to 2004. He has won numerous awards at the TAP New York Craft Beer and Food Festival, including the Matthew Vassar Cup for best craft beer brewery in the Hudson Valley. Rob joined Valcour Brewing Company in 2015 as brewmaster and executive chef. Valcour Brewing is housed in the historic Old Stone Barracks building on the former military base in Plattsburgh, and currently offers four craft beers and rotating seasonal brews.

By John T. Ryan

Peru – NYSEG has informed the Town of Peru that in 2017 it will be bring natural gas service to the Cayea Road, Henry Sr. Drive and portions of the Lapham Mills Road (299, 315-349, 128) and Rock Road (336-384) in 2017.

In 2018 NYSEG has plans to bring gas to Aubrey Lane, Birchwood Drive, Eva Drive, Haynes Terrace, Howard Drive, Holden Avenue, Locust Drive, McDonald Place, McIntosh Drive and Radcliffe Drive. Portions of Dashnaw Road, Lapham Mills Road, Maiden Lane and State Route 22 will also have gas lines installed.

In 2016 gas lines were installed at Valcour Heights and portions of State Route 22 (3064-3179), South Junction Road (4-40) and State Route 9 (3918-4047).

In the very near future NYSEG will be surveying Rounds Drive residents and Route 22B residents between the Mannix Road and Champlain Valley Apple Storage to determine if they have interest in receiving natural gas service.

By John T. Ryan

Peru – As of January 1, 2017 Plattsburgh Attorney Matt Favro will be Peru’s new town attorney, planning board attorney and zoning board of appeals attorney. Favro’s appointment was approved at the Town Board’s December 27th meeting. Favro replaces Donald Biggs who has been town attorney since November of 2006.

Matt Favro, an associate in his father’s law firm Gary L. Favro, PLLC, is a graduate of Providence College and Albany Law School (2006). At Monday’s meeting Counselor Donald McBrayer commented, “Matt wants to expand his practice beyond criminal law. I think he’s a good fit for what we’re looking for.” Counselor Jim Langley and Code Enforcement Officer Bob Guynup concurred.

Favro will be paid an hourly rate of $175 an hour. A formal contract will be negotiated in the very near future.

Click see for more information on Matt Favro’s background and experience. 

At about 2:30 p.m. today p.m. today the Peru and South Plattsburgh Fire Departments were called to an apparent attic fire at 435 Brand Hollow Rd. in Peru. The home is owned by Betty J. Theisen. No one was in the house at the time of the fire.
Heavy smoked enveloped the home as firefighters sought the source of the heavy black smoke. Constructed in 2005, the house has been unoccupied for a few months.  (Click here for video)

Tuesday, December 27, 2016 @ 7:00 PM

Call Meeting To Order

Pledge of Allegiance

Roll Call

MOTION: Approval of Minutes of the December 12, 2016 Regular Board Meeting.

Community Input

DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Retention of Matt Favro as Town Attorney And Planning Board And Zoning Board Of Appeals Attorney.

DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Authorize Transfer Of Town General Funds.

DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Authorize Transfer of Town Highway Funds.

DISCUSSIONRESOLUTION: Authorize Use of Additional Pave New York Revenue.

DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Authorize Transfer of Highway Machinery Equipment Reserve Funds.

DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Authorize Loan From General Savings To Water and Sewer Fund.

DISCUSSIONRESOLUTION: Authorize Transfer of Town Water Funds.

DISCUSSION: Planning Board Manning Issue.

DISCUSSION: NYSEG Gas Line Expansion

DISCUSSION: Other Business.

DISCUSSION: Public Comments on Agenda Items Only.

DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Approve/Pay Bills.

PLATTSBURGH — Authorities are investigating an early-morning burglary at Plattsburgh Turnpike Wesleyan Church in Plattsburgh.

Source: Turnpike Wesleyan Church burgled, safe stolen – Sun Community News & Printing

In every corner of the North Country, there are towns with persistent questions about economic development – how do we make our downtowns bustle again? How do we fill the empty storefronts? How do we create a new generation of entrepreneurs?

Source: Meet the guy behind Burlington’s renaissance. Could his ideas work in the North Country? | NCPR News

Blue Christmas is a time for those who are sad, grieving, lonely or just looking for a reflective time of worship. Peru Community Church will be holding a Blue Christmas Service, open to everyone, on Thursday, December 22nd at 6:30 pm, in the Chapel of the Fellowship Center. Held the longest night of the year at the end of the Advent season, this service is offered as a quiet and reflective respite from the hustle and bustle of the season, and recognizing that Christmas is not always joyous for those who mourn loved ones no longer with them or who have other sadness in their lives. All are welcome.

Christmas Eve Services at Peru Community Church:

FAMILY FRIENDLY: The 6 pm service will be a Family-Friendly interactive service where children and adults will hear the story of Jesus birth in the format of ABCs. This service is designed for families with children to enjoy worship together without the worries of keeping the kids quiet and still. The service will end with candle-lighting….with glow sticks for the kids, of course! If you are looking to hear the Christmas story this year in a new way, bring the kids and enjoy familiar carols and relax at this service.

TRADITIONAL CANDLELIGHTING: Partake in a traditional Christmas Eve service at 8PM with sermon, carols, choir and Communion. This service will include the singing of Silent Night in the darkened sanctuary illuminated only by candles.

CHRISTMAS SUNDAY: December 25th one service will be held in the Chapel at 10:30 am, followed by fellowship/coffee hour. New Year’s Day, Sunday January 1st, 2017, will also be one service at 10:30 am in the Church Sanctuary.

For the first time in a decade, New York State experienced a net population loss, as of July of last summer, according to the Empire Center which examined Census data. While upstate has been steadi…

Source: Census: NY lost more people than gained this year as of July – Capitol Confidential

A Message from the Office of the Superintendent of Peru Central School

The “Buddy Bench” is being used in schools around the world. First introduced in September, the “Buddy Bench” has been rolled out to students in the Peru K-2 House at our first assembly as a way to teach “compassion,” which is one of the character traits the K-2 is focusing on during the 2016-2017 school year. The idea behind the “Buddy Bench” is that when students need a friend to play with at recess, he or she will sit on the bench. When children see another child sitting on the bench, the other children know that the child sitting on the bench needs a friend to play with. The children will invite that student to play.

An article published by Dustin Petty from Michigan State University indicates that social exclusion is the new bullying and that “Instead of the child being teased, pushed around or called names, they are shunned and not invited to join games and activities” (Petty, 2012). Our goal is to continue to find new ways to empower students to be inclusive and to show compassion to others who may feel lonely and excluded.

Some of the students of the K-2 and members of our “Positive School Environment Team” created a video clip of the superpower “Compassion.” Compassion was demonstrated in this video using our very own student actors and actresses and the “Buddy Bench.” The video can be seen by visiting, http://www.perucsd.org/Page/5144. This video is posted on our web-site for students and their parents to view and reinforce the initiatives at home as well.

Since the roll out of the “Buddy Bench,” students consistently share their stories of compassion, often referring to playing with someone who was sitting on the “Buddy Bench.”

For more info, please contact the Elementary K-2 House at (518) 643-6100.

KEESEVILLE — A proposed riverside park in downtown Keeseville has moved closer to reality as another piece of the funding puzzle has snapped into place.

Source: Keeseville Riverfront Park to move forward – Sun Community News & Printing

PERU — Peru Central School District is continuing to search for new superintendent, and hope to hire a replacement by April.

Source: Search for new Peru CSD superintendent underway – Sun Community News & Printing

Kerri Bedard

By John T. Ryan

Peru – Peru has a new small business. On November 15, 2016 Kerri Bedard opened KB Styles at her 860 Fuller Road residence. Bedard has eight years of cosmetology experience including the last six years at Colours in Peru. An Ausable Forks native and Ausable Valley Central graduate, Kerri Bedard and her husband Phil have resided on the Fuller Road for over ten years.

As the mother of a four year old boy (Luke), Bedard is looking forward to the flexibility of setting her own schedule and simple things like seeing Luke board the bus when he enters kindergarten next fall. She’ll also be near her husband Phil who is battling MS. She said, “I needed him to build the studio now. Next year he might not be able to.”

Using a combination of knotty pine boards and logs, Phil Bedard transformed a room that once housed his fishing equipment into what his wife describes as “a cozy, elegant place to be pampered.” Along with the cozy atmosphere, patrons will undoubtedly appreciate the comfortable new leather chairs and the adjoining large restroom.

KB Styles is handicapped accessible. It is open on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10-6 and on Saturdays from 9-2. On Tuesdays it is open by appointment only.

To reach Kerri text 518-593-3389 or call 518-643-2659. If you’re driving from the Peru hamlet, travel east on Bear Swamp Road and turn left on the Fuller Road. KB Styles is the third house on the right.  Look for this sign.

PLATTSBURGH, NY –The Strand Center for the Arts (SCA) is excited to open a larger, updated Artist Store in the Strand Center at 23 Brinkerhoff Street, Plattsburgh, NY. This project was made possible in part by generous donations from friends of the Strand Center for the Arts and from the tireless work of numerous volunteers who did everything from painting, installing countertops and moving furniture.

“The Strand Center Artist Store provides an opportunity for local artists and artisans to sell their works within the Strand Center.” says SCA Executive Director, Joshua Kretser, “This new endeavor at the Strand Center will continue to enable us to carry out our mission of uniting the arts with our region.”

The space for the new store occupies the area where administrative offices were once located. Those offices were reshuffled and the area reconditioned. Walls were removed, new walls created and painted, a new floor was put in to match that which exists in the gallery, and display cases were added to showcase an impressive array of merchandise, ranging from handmade jewelry, scarves, pottery, books, cards, prints, paintings and so much more. Read more »

If you find yourself hungry or alone (or both) on Christmas Day, come enjoy a FREE Ham Dinner at the Harkness Methodist Church Hall at the four corners in Harkness, 776 Hallock Hill Road, Peru. The dinner is Open to All, on Sunday December 25 from 2 to 5pm. In addition to warm fellowship, the menu will include Ham, Scalloped Potatoes, Vegetable, Beverage and Homemade Desserts.

Reservations are appreciated, but if you decide to join us on the spur of the moment. all “last-minute guests” will be welcome as well. Take-out meals will also be available.
Call 643-8708 or 570-7574 to reserve your place, or call 643-6690 for more information. Merry Christmas!

Office of the New York State Comptroller: Press Release

Source: DiNapoli: Consumers Should Read Fine Print On Gift Cards This Holiday Season

Thanks to Vicki Defayette for this drone photo taken this morning of the original Peru School. At one time it was the home to grades K-12. Now it houses grades 3-6.