The Peru Gazette

Assemblywoman Janet Duprey was the guest of honor at last night’s tree lighting.  After the tree lighting, a huge number of children were greeted by Santa and Mrs. Claus in the Peru Community Church Fellowship Center. Click here to view our Peru Gazette photos.  

Click here to see the Peru Fire Department transport Santa to the Peru Gazebo tonight. 

Colleagues, officials, constituents recalled Janet Duprey’s help, achievements during career in politics

Source: ‘Truly a Champion’: Retiring Assemblywoman Duprey honored at gathering | Local News | pressrepublican.com

Dylon Bridges hospitalized in Burlington after head-on crash in Chesterfield.

Source: Plattsburgh teen ‘critical’ at Burlington Hospital | News | pressrepublican.com

By John T. Ryan

A 39 North Bend Street residence has been deemed in violation of Local Law #2 (UNSAFE BUILDING DEMOLITION LAW). The Town considers the property ot be unsafe as defined in the Local Law. A public hearing has been scheduled for January 9, 2017 at 6 p.m. at the Peru Town Hall. Click here to see Local Law #2

The Town Board passed a resolution authorizing the Public Hearing at its November 28th meeting after Code Enforcement Officer Bob Guynup informed the Board that several notices mailed to the property owner have been returned as undeliverable. The owner is listed on the tax rolls as Rose Simpson Rodriquez who apparently no longer resides in this area. Property taxes have been paid. Any demolition costs would be charged to the property’s tax bill.

By John T. Ryan

Peru’s new Dog Park, equipped with benches, trees, water, a waste station and even a fire hydrant, has been receiving rave reviews. Last week the park was completed when a 24 ft. x 20 ft. small dog/time-out fenced-in area was installed.

The Town of Peru expended just over $16,300 to construct the park. Fencing was the major expense at $11,724. The fine gravel and underlaying fiber material cost $3,515. Other expenses included the trees and signage. The Pyramid Corporation donated the benches and the Highway and Water-Sewer Departments installed the water pipe, hydrant, signage and fine-gravel base.

On November 5th the park was dedicated to Ann and Lynn Wilke. Ann conceived the dog park concept, garnered community support and brought the idea to the Town Board.

Dogs aren’t the only creatures enjoying the park. Residents are forming friendships as they chat and watch their off-leash dogs play at high speed.

On Saturday, December 3rd, the Peru Memorial Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary is sponsoring a Pork Loin Dinner in recognition of the 75th Anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. On December 7, 1941 two thousand four hundred two (2,402) Americans died and one thousand one hundred and two (1,102) other individuals were wounded. Forty of the people who lost their lives on that beautiful Sunday morning were New York residents. The dinner will be a win/win/win – Great Food, Great Comradeship, Shared Memories and a donation to the North Country Honor Flight.

Cocktails at 5 p.m. Dinner at 6 p.m. $10 per person. EVERYONE IS WELCOME AND ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND!

The Peru Community Church announces its Advent and Christmas events and services. All are welcome and invited to worship and celebrate the coming of Christmas. Services are held at 8 am and 10:30 am, with nursery care provided, and coffee hour following. Sunday school for all ages (pre-school through adults) is at 9:15 am. Services are in the sanctuary in the stone building at the corner of Elm and Pleasant Streets in Peru, at the intersection of Routes 22 and 22B. Other events are held in the church Fellowship Center across the street at 13 Elm Street.

The 4-week Advent season sermon themes selected by Pastor Peggi Eller for this year are Watching / Turning / Seeing / Dreaming, Read more »

The Clinton County Historical Association will hold a Holiday Open House on Saturday, December 10 and Sunday, December 11 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. The CCHA Open House, a holiday tradition, provides a special opportunity to visit the Museum and to find unique gifts for family and friends.

Light refreshments will be available and admission will be free during the Open House. Open House visitors can enter a special raffle for three books about the Town of Clinton and Churubusco, along with a Gibson Brothers bluegrass CD! The raffle will also include breakfast at Filion’s, a t-shirt from Dick’s Country Store and a Carol Sears Hoenig’s book. All visitors each day will receive a free gift, one per family.

In addition, this year there will be two limited-edition Christmas keepsake ornaments available for purchase—one depicting the Old Stone Barracks and the other featuring the Hotel Champlain.

Along with many unique and interesting artifacts, the Museum has an outstanding collection of books about local history written by local authors. The new book, Clinton County Memories, will be on sale for a special price of $29.95 until December 12. After that it will be available for the retail price of $44.95. For a limited time, a special Town of Clinton exhibit is also on display.

For further information, contact the Museum at (518) 561-0340 or by email at director@clintoncountyhistorical.org

Helen Nerska
CCHA President

The following is a statement from New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos regarding the shooting of Environmental Conservation Officer James Davey.

“On the evening of November 29, 2016, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Officers James Davey and Lieutenant Liza Bobseine were investigating reports of potential illegal hunting activity in the Town of Gallatin in Columbia County when officer James Davey was shot. Officer Davey underwent extensive surgery at the Mid-Hudson Hospital to repair damage from the gunshot wound and is in the Intensive Care Unit in stable condition. I had the chance to meet Officer Davey’s wife Nancy, a Forest Ranger at DEC, and other family members last night who were appreciative of the outpouring of support from the DEC family.

“Lieutenant Liza Bobseine who was on patrol with Officer Davey investigating the incident is credited with saving Officer Davey’s life for her quick and heroic actions in the field. Lt. Bobseine was able to quickly apply a compress to the wound while calling for support and keeping the suspects under control 1/2 mile into a field. It’s clear that if it were not for her actions, officer Davey would not have survived. I commend the two officers for their courage in the line of duty and thank them for their dedicated service. Our thoughts and prayers are with the wounded officer and his family.”

An investigation led by New York State Police from the Livingston barracks determined that Alan Blanchard, 55, of Gallatin, was responsible for the accidental shooting due to reckless conduct. Blanchard was arrested for Assault in the 2nd degree, a class D felony, arraigned in the Town of Livingston Court, and remanded to the Dutchess County Jail in lieu of no bail. He is scheduled to reappear in the Town of Livingston Court on Dec. 8 at 7 p.m.

ECO Davey, 39, is a 12-year veteran of the force, having graduated from the DEC Basic Police Academy in 2005. He is currently assigned to patrol Columbia County. Officer Davey is a Division of Criminal Justice Services-Certified Police Instructor, having recently become a Certified Firearms instructor for the DEC. He is married to a DEC Forest Ranger, Nancy Davey.

The two colleges in Plattsburgh are in serious budget crunches. SUNY Plattsburgh is scrambling to save $1.4 million, and Clinton Community College officials say they might have to lay off two full time faculty members.

Source: Plattsburgh colleges prepare for more budget cuts | NCPR News

On Monday New York State Police arrested Thomas Agans, a sergeant with the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.

Source: Malone prison guard charged with felony assault | NCPR News

Gov. Andrew Cuomo approved roughly 60 bills late Monday and vetoed more than 70, clearing off his desk 133 bills that were handed up almost two weeks ago. With Cuomo’s actions, only 25 bills …

Source: Cuomo vetoes more than 70 bills, signs roughly 60 – Capitol Confidential

Please Share!

Peru – St. Augustine’s Parish Annual Craft Fair, Saturday December 3rd 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., St. Augustine’s Parish Center, 3030 Main St., Peru.

Dozens of crafters from all over the North Country , a great bake sale, drawings and even delicious soup and sandwiches for lunch.

The Foundation of CVPH will host the annual Candlelight Remembrance Ceremony on Tuesday, December 6 at 4 p.m. at the Circle of Healing & Hope on the front lawn of the hospital. Like all organizations that have an Angel of Hope, we are holding this annual ceremony on this day to give people an opportunity to remember their loved ones. Music will be provided by SUNY Plattsburgh student Lauren Mueller and special words will be shared by Julie Kramer. We will also be honoring the addition of several new pavers that were recently installed in the Circle.

We are accepting names to be read during the ceremony. To submit a name, e-mail kkalman@cvph.org.

The ceremony is open to everyone and will be held outdoors – please dress weather-appropriate. We hope you can join us!

AGENDA – Town of Peru Planning Board, WEDNESDAY, December 14, 2016 @ 7:00 PM

CALL MEETING TO ORDER
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
APPROVAL of November 9, 2016 minutes.
OPEN FLOOR to public hearing
APPLICATIONS:

1. Site Plan Review: P-2016-025 RL Vallee Inc. DBA Maplefields
Site Plan – Sign
654 Bear Swamp Rd.
Peru, NY 12972

2. 2 – Lot Subdivision: P-2016-026 Carol Sherman
2-lot Subdivision
92 Denton Road
Schuyler Falls, NY 12985

3. Site Plan Review: P-2016-027 College Auxiliary Services PSU
Site Plan – Hotel/Motel
3714 State Rt. 9
Plattsburgh, NY 12901

ANY FURTHER BUSINESS:
CEO REPORT:
ADJOURNMENT

AGENDA TOWN BOARD REGULAR MEETING – November 28, 2016 @ 7:00 PM

Call Meeting To Order

Pledge of Allegiance

Roll Call

MOTION: Approval of Minutes of the November 14, 2016 Regular Board Meeting and the November 17, 2016 Special Board Meeting.

Community Input

DISCUSSION: 39 North Bend Street.

DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Setting of Public Hearing on 39 North Bend Street.

DISCUSSION: Reducing Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals Manning.

DISCUSSION: Water/Sewer Rate/Fees Increase

DISCUSSION: HATS Program.

DISCUSSION: New Court Building Update and Hiring of New Court Clerk

DISCUSSION: Military Turnpike & Mannix Rd. Exchange

DISCUSSION: Zoning and Planning Board Attorney Update.

DISCUSSION: Harassment/Workplace Violence Training.

DISCUSSION: Town Hall Christmas Party

DISCUSSION: Other Business.

DISCUSSION: Public Comments on Agenda Items Only.

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

ELLENBURG CENTER — Officials say the remains of Ira Munn Boardman III were located this morning.

Source: Body of missing hunter found | News | pressrepublican.com

As of December 1, 2016 Peru Town Court will be located at its new building at 22 Davey Drive, Peru, N.Y. 12972.

Phone – 518-643-4187, Fax 518-643-4188

Until December 1, 2016 the Court address is 3036 Main St., Peru, N.Y. 12972.

Phone 518-643-2745 Ext. 1, Fax 518-643-0527

Peru JCEO Coordinator Betsy Ero

By John T. Ryan

Peru – On September 9, 2016 Betsy Ero became the Coordinator at Peru’s JCEO Outreach Program. Ero has years of experience in an array of community service programs and she’s very happy to be working in the community where she resides. She commented, “When the job opened, I immediately applied.” Ero succeeded Coordinator Pat Holmes who is hopefully enjoying a fruitful retirement.

JCEO’s food shelf is undoubtedly its best known program; however, it provides many other services including accepting applications for the Clinton County Christmas Bureau, the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), medical transportation and emergency services.

Betsy Ero said providing transportation to medical appointments is a constant need. She explained, “We especially need more volunteer drivers to transport people to medical appointments. The volunteers are paid mileage. Sometimes we provide as many as 15 rides a week. Plattsburgh, Burlington, Saranac Lake and Malone are the primary destinations.”

Donations of healthy food items,  personal care items (toilet paper, shampoo, etc.) and even plastic bags to pack the donated foods are always appreciated. Thirty to sixty Peru families come in for assistance each month.

As temperatures drop, many people are applying for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). This year Ero has to inform applicants about HEAP’s new ID requirements. A social security card and one other valid ID must be submitted. Previously only a social security number was required. The normal household income requirements remain in force.

JCEO also assists people with one-time financial emergencies. Sometimes people need help with a rent, utility or insurance payment. Ero said, “When we grant the assistance, we fill out a budget worksheet and try to put them back on track.”

Given her 16+ years of experience Ero is well-versed in referring people to the agency equipped to meet specific needs. The most common referrals involve Medicare Advantage, Social Security and Food Stamps.

This week Ero will be distributing Thanksgiving meals. A few days ago the Peru Community Church donated all the foods necessary for 35 turkey meals, the Peru Democrats donated 14 turkeys and Boy Scout Pack 49 brought in 686 food items. The Peru office typically provides 80 meals each Thanksgiving.

Betsy Ero’s office is located at the lower level of the Peru Town Hall. It is open Monday – Friday from 8:30 to 4. Ero is sometimes out of the office so she advised, “Please call before you come.” The office phone number is 643-8455.

Gift Giving
I represent the United Way Campaign Team for the Adirondack Region. United Way funds 44 different agencies in Clinton, Essex and Franklin Counties. I co-lead one of these agencies: The Champlain Valley Chapter of The Compassionate Friends. This is a self help bereavement support group for families who have had children, grandchildren or a sibling die. This is run by volunteers only. With the funds from United Way we can send out newsletters, run meetings, host a memorial walk and candle lighting ceremony, and also do other fun events for our members.
The United Way Campaign is in full swing this Holiday Season and with everyone hustling around to make sure we check everyone off our Holiday lists, I would like for you to consider giving a gift in honor or memory of a loved one to this year’s United Way Campaign. Holiday shopping is exhausting, so why not save some time and drop off a donation to The United Way Office on the Tom Miller Road in Plattsburgh. There are always gifts to purchase for those hard to buy for people on our lists. Why not give a gift that will keep on giving. One gift will help 44 partner agencies.
If you have already done your shopping for this season, think about other times of the year when you are invited to anniversary and birthday parties, retirement parties and you just don’t know what to get. A gift to the United Way will take the guessing out of what to get them. Imagine how proud the honoree would feel opening a card with a message inside saying where the gift went in their name. Times are challenging in our world today. Please help our neighbors and together we will reach our goal. Last year alone, our 44 partner agencies helped over 80,000 individuals collectively.
Respectfully submitted,

DaleAnne Wolter
West Chazy, NY

• Town Court to relocate to Davey Drive by December 6
• 122 Unpaid Water-Sewer bills to be Re-Levied on 2016 taxes
• Fence for Small Dogs Area at Dog Park Approved 

By John T. Ryan

The Peru Town Board has been concentrating on formulation of a 2017 town budget; however, other actions have taken place at recent meetings.

Board actions at its October 24th and November 14th meetings include:

Received Town Justice Jim Kirby’s report that Peru Town Court will conduct proceedings at its new 22 Davey Drive location beginning December 6, 2016. Judge Kirby said moving will mean closing Town Court from November 30 to December 4th or 5th. A contractor by trade, Judge Kirby has been renovating the building with no labor cost to the Town.

Approved a resolution to re-levy $59,570.64 in unpaid 2016 water and sewer charges – 122 bills have not been paid. The fees, plus interest will be charged on the property owner’s’ 2017 town taxes.

Approved a contract with Freedom Fence Company to erect a 24’ x 20’ fence and install a gate inside the Town’s new dog park. Supervisor Peter Peter Glushko asked for the expenditure saying the fenced-in area would protect small dogs and would be a place for unruly dogs if no small dogs are present. Counselor Donald McBrayer asked if there have been problems. Glushko didn’t cite a specific problem, but he responded, “Let’s do it smart and do it now before there is a problem.” Glushko said every park he’s seen in the NYC area, where there many parks, has a fenced-in small dog area.

Appointed Allison Herbert Bruce to the Planning Board replacing Kim Budwick

Officially dedicated the Town Dog Park to Ann and Lynn WIlke. Ann Wilke brought the dog park concept to the community and organized dog park supporters.

Approved a resolution to expend an amount not to exceed $6.960 for a land survey associated with the Main Street Enhancement Plan.  The Town will be reimbursed by the NYS grant associated with the project.

Approved a resolution approving the expenditure not exceeding $5,000 to hire AES Engineering for consultation on complex problems at the water treatment plant.

Approved expenditure of $5,000 to AES Engineering for mapping, planning and reporting on extension of water and sewer service to Rounds Drive.

Noted that NYS Agriculture and Markets found Dog Control Offer David Drollette’s work to be satisfactory. Supervisor Glushko said, “Dave passed with flying colors!” Drollette told the Board 26 new dog licenses have been issued and 46 licenses renewed over the past month.

Learned that Deputy Court Clerk Christine Hathaway is leaving the area and is resigning from her position. Supervisor Glushko noted, “We will miss Christine. She has done good work!”

Was informed that the Town will receive Tobacco Reserve Fund monies in the amount of $7,880 upon successful completion of the Lyon Street School House roof project. For the next three years the Town cannot apply for any additional Tobacco Fund monies.

Approved a $5,000 five-year guarantee extension contract for the Highway Department’s new Gradall excavating machine. The machine was purchased earlier this year under New York Contract from Vantage Equipment of Albany on a five-year lease-own agreement at a cost of $58,276 per year ($291,380 total). After five years the town will own the machine.

The Keeseville-Peru Ecumenical Choir will be performing two concerts to celebrate its 51st anniversary. The first concert will be Saturday, December 17, 2016, at St. Augustine’s Church in Peru, at 7:30pm. The second concert will be Sunday, December 18, 2016, at St. John the Baptist Church in Keeseville at 7:30pm. The choir is directed by Jeanette Woodruff and accompanied by Steve Collier. The 60 member choir will be performing a variety of sacred and secular Christmas music. Admission is free.

Peru – Residents are invited to meet with the Town’s Main St Committee and consultants for a presentation of the Main Street and Hamlet Revitalization Plan and proposed construction projects: Tuesday, November 29th at 7pm in the Town Hall, downstairs. This meeting is supported by funding provided by the New York State Department of State under Title 11 of the Environmental Protection Fund. For more information contact Adele Douglas at chinadele1@hotmail.com or 643-7863

Click here to see detailed September Peru Gazette Article on the Plan 

Click Here to View Meeting Flyer

Source: The Adirondack Park is about to change. You better chime in. | NCPR News