The Peru Gazette

Gazette File Photo

Editor’s Note: The original story stated that the Confidential Secretary to the Supervisor will receive a $2,000 raise. The correct figure is $1,500. 

By John T. Ryan

The Town of Peru 2017 Budget approved at a Thursday, November 17th Special Town Board meeting is under the NYS .68% tax cap. Taxpayers will see a small increase in the general budget tax rate and slight decreases in the highway, water and sewer rates. The owner of a property assessed at $155,000 (Peru’s average assessed value) will experience a slight decrease in taxes – $1,120.65 in 2017 vs. $1128.40 in 2016.

The Town’s General Budget tax rate will increase to $2.18/M of assessed value vs. $2.11 in 2016. The Highway Department Budget will decrease to $2.58/M from $2.62/M. Water District users will see a decrease from $2.30/M to $2.24/M and Sewer District #1 users will see their rate decline from $.26/M to .$23/M.

The General Budget includes the services such as the town board, the town clerk, town court, code enforcement, building maintenance and the highway superintendent’s salary. The 2017 General Budget totals $1,399,541 vs. $1,366,818 in 2016. The Highway Department Budget totals $1,641,745 vs. $1,631,918 in 2016. Staying under the tax cap has severely impacted town road paving. Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell would like to pave five of the town’s eighty-two highway miles each year. The budget will permit only three miles to be paved.

Town Supervisor Peter Glushko said dealing with an 8.7% health insurance increase and department requests for increased funding were the most challenging aspects of formulating the budget. The Board wanted to grant employees what they perceived as a just pay increase; however, that was complicated by ongoing negotiations with the unionized Highway Department employees. The Board voted to give most of the Town’s 37 employees a 1.5% pay increase. Highway Department employees will not receive any increase until a contract is negotiated.

There were other exceptions. Town Justices Larry Cabana and Jim Kirby decided to give their 1.5% increases to the Senior Court Clerk Holly Stone. Town Board members did likewise. They gave their 1.5% raises to Supervisor Peter Glushko. The Supervisor’s Confidential Secretary Pamela Barber was granted a $1,500 and Dog Control Officer David Drollette was granted $2,000 raise. Code Enforcement Officer Robert Guynup was will receive a $4,500 increase. Glushko said, “Bob Guynup is doing an outstanding job. When we hired him we promised him we would bring his salary up when we could.”

The Budget passed 4-1 with Counselor Donald McBrayer voting “No.” McBrayer told the Peru Gazette he is satisfied with the overall budget, but he believes a few other items should have been funded such as improving the tennis-pickleball courts, a pay increase greater than 1.5% for Youth Director John Flynn and increased funding for the Peru Free Library.

Elected Official 2017 Salaries:
Supervisor: $24,600.00 up from $23,805
Town Clerk/Tax Collector $24,289.00 up from $23,805
Highway Superintendent $56,105.00 up from $55,275
Town Board (4) $ 7,299.00 (No Increase)
Town Justices (2) $18,292.50 (No Increase)

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The Strand Center for the Arts is proud to announce that it is working with The University of Vermont Health Network – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital to broker the purchase of works by local artists. The hospital is purchasing work to install in the waiting room area of the Infusion Center and The Strand Center for the Arts will act as the broker for this purchase.

The area will feature a curated set of artworks based along a great outdoors/nature theme. Approximately 7-10 works will be purchased for this space. Artists of all mediums can apply, including photography, painting, sculpture, printmaking, and mixed media. Preference will be given to artists that adhere to the theme and follow the guidelines for submission. The deadline for submissions is Saturday, December 9, 2016 at midnight.

An artist can submit up to three works Read more »

L-R Peru K-2 Principal Michelle Rawson, St. Augustine’s Knights of Columbus Council 7273 Grand Knight Keith Kemp and School Nurse Kathy Bedard

Peru – This morning St. Augustine’s Knights of Columbus Council 7273 Grand Knight Keith Kemp presented twenty-four new children’s winter jackets to K-2 Principal Michelle Rawson and School Nurse Kathy Bedard. The school will distribute the jackets during teachers conferences and when needed.
The Knights of Columbus launched the Coats for Kids Program during the 2009 recession. Since then approximately 2,000 Knights of Columbus Councils in the United States and Canada have distributed more than 310,000 coats.

39th Annual John P Adams Memorial Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day,November 24 , 2016.

Event includes: 5K and 10K – $20 Registration

1 M Fun Run/Walk – $7.50 Registration

Start Location: Peru Central School

Start Times: 8:45 AM SHARP! for 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk & 9:15 AM SHARP! for
All Other Events

Online registration is available at www.adirondackcoastevents.com and will
remain open until 6:59 a.m. the morning of event.

Preregistered participants can pick up their RFID timing chip & bib:
Wednesday, November 23 from 4 to 7 p.m.
or Thursday, November 24 from 7:30a.m. to 8:15 a.m. at the Peru Elementary
School cafeteria.
.
As participants cross finish line, the RFID Chip technology will
immediately assembles data according to time, age, and gender.

For any additional information on pre-registration, bib/chip pickup time,
log on to our our website at www.perulionsclubnewyork.org.

Looking forward to seeing everyone!

Peru Lions Club
Email: info@perulionsclubnewyork.org
www.perulionsclubnewyork.org

One CO injured, tear gas used at Clinton Correctional Facility.

Source: Dannemora prison on lockdown after fight, threat to staff | Local News | pressrepublican.com

By John T. Ryan

Peru – Don and Linda Covel have sold thousands of beautiful Christmas trees since the early 1970’s, but this week they sold a very special tree – a Colorado Blue Spruce that will be seen and admired by thousands of people. It’s being erected in Philadelphia, Pa. as a centerpiece for the Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest. A tree lighting ceremony will take place December 2nd. While the tree will be a plus for Philadelphia, it will be a loss for the Covels. It’s been growing in their front yard for 40+ years. Linda said, “It’s gone, but there’ll be another one planted there in the spring.”

Selling a tree this large was a learning experience for the Covels. They discovered that preparing a 43 ft. tree for shipment isn’t an easy task. They had to use a specialized tree wrapping apparatus and a very high crane to gradually wrap the massive tree with its dense branches. It was a slow process requiring skill and almost supernatural patience.

Don and Linda planted their first Christmas trees in 1968. Today their many customers can choose from an array of Balsams, Frasers, White Pine and Scotch Pines spread over 65+ acres of scenic farmland. Customers are already arriving daily to tag trees. When they come to pick up the tree, Covels will cut it, put it on a shaking machine to remove any loose needles, wrap it and even help load the tree. Pre-cut trees will be on sale the day after Thanksgiving.

Located at 843 Mannix Road, Covels’ Tree Farm is open from 9 a.m. to sunset daily. The phone number 518-643-8723. Click here to see more photos. 

Peru Free Library
Annual Potter’s Guild Holiday Exhibit and Sale
Opening reception Friday, November 18 from 5-7

A great place to do your holiday shopping and
support our local potters and the library.

The situation developed after Cuomo appointees on a special pay commission withheld their votes for an increase as the Nov. 15 deadline passed. Barring a last-minute decision to return to the Capitol in a special session — which Cuomo wants, but lawmakers appear to reject — legislators will start their next session in January earning the $79,500 annual base pay they’ve received since in 1999. At a New York City meeting of the State Commission on Legislative and Judicial Compensation, the word that the governor’s appointees to the commission would abstain from voting was delivered forcefully by Fran Reiter, a former Cuomo administration official who said legislative leaders had failed to effectively make their case for a raise. The Senate and Assembly could conceivably return to the Capitol and cut a deal in which they would secure a raise by passing it themselves, and agreeing to a ban or sharp limits on outside income in order to secure Cuomo’s signature. A similar deal was reached by the Legislature and former Gov. George Pataki, who extracted state support for charter schools in exchange for the 1999 raise. If lawmakers found voting for a legislative pay raise too politically perilous, the Legislature could conceivably return to pass a bill extending the panel’s deadline as part of a larger deal — though that tactic, which again would require Cuomo’s participation, could invite legal challenges to any resulting raise. Legislative leaders on Tuesday blasted the governor for linking a desired legislation to a pay hike.

Source: No pay raises for state legislators, commission says – Times Union

On Tuesday, November 22 at 6:30pm, the Peru Community Church along with St. Augustine’s Roman Catholic Church will be hosting a Community Thanksgiving Worship Service at 6:30pm at the Peru Community Church. This will be a service of celebration for the abundant harvest and the many blessings in the Peru community. Rev. Peggi Eller, Pastor of the Peru Community Church, will be offering the message. All are invited to join us in celebration and worship.

Donations will be accepted for the Elmore SPCA and the JCEO Food Pantry. A free will offering will also benefit these organizations, remembering that we are all God’s creatures.

Anyone interested in singing in a community choir should meet at the Peru Community Church at 6:10pm to review the music. Mrs. Carol Gallagher will be leading the choir.

The Peru Town Board will hold a Special Meeting to finalize the 2017 town budget at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 17th.
The Board did not vote on the budget at the Monday, November 14th became negotiations with the unionized Highway Department have not been concluded.

Carson Larrow and Lynn Wilke performed Taps

At the Veterans Day Peru VFW Post 309 Commander Rick Cornish introduced Peru Town Counselor Donald McBrayer, Clinton County Legislator Rob Timmons and Rev. Shnob. A Rifle Salute was conducted by the U.S. Army Reserve Unit of Plattsburgh Center. Taps was performed by Lynn Wilke and Carson Larrow.

Click here for a video of proceedings. 

PLATTSBURGH — The City of Plattsburgh Recreation Department is exploring the idea of restructuring their department, a process that would place more of a regional emphasis on sustaining infrastructure.

Source: City rec department explores alternative leadership – Sun Community News & Printing

PLATTSBURGH — The oldest building on the Clinton Community College campus will be soon be getting a much needed makeover.

Source: CCC main building to receive makeover – Sun Community News & Printing

Photos from today’s Peru Memorial VFW Post 309 Veterans Day Service. The program included a welcome by Post Commander Rick Cornish; Posting of the Colors by the James P. O’Connor Composite Squad Color Guard Civil Air Patrol; Opening Prayer by St. Augustine’s Pastor Rev. Alan Shnob; Addresses by the VFW’s Voice of Democracy Contest Winner Matthew Fall, Peru Town Counselor Donald McBrayer, Clinton County Legislator Rob Timmons, Benediction by Rev. Shnob, a Rifle Salute by the U.S. Army Reserve Unit Plattsburgh Center, and Taps by Lynn Wilke and Carson Larrow.

Click here to view view. 

SUNY Plattsburgh freshman, their families, and members of the local community filled the E. Glenn Giltz Auditorium in Hawkins Hall Friday, Oct. 21 for the North Country Scholarship reception that celebrated 150 recipients who received the North Country Scholarship this year.
“This event allowed local scholars and their families to meet the benefactors who support this growing scholarship program,” said Faith Long, director for development at SUNY Plattsburgh. “For students, it’s a great opportunity to thank generous donors and also to network and meet business and community leaders who offer both scholarship support and mentorship for our North Country students.”
Funded by area businesses and individuals, as well as the Plattsburgh College Foundation, the North Country Scholarship program aims to retain local youth.
Free Tuition Program
“Although the program has been around for eight years, this was the first time that we were able to offer free tuition,” said Anne Whitmore Hansen, vice president of institutional advancement. Read more »

Source: Stefanik sweeps every North Country county | NCPR News

Source: For Woolf, life after politics includes filmmaking and a historic Adirondack tavern | NCPR News

By John T. Ryan

The Town of Peru’s Preliminary 2017 Budget will be open for public comment at a Thursday, November 10, 2016 Public Hearing at 6:30 p.m. at the Peru Town Hall.  The budget increases are under the New York State imposed .68% tax cap. Some rates increase, while others decrease.  Health care costs are a major budget item. Taking all offices and departments into consideration Peru’s health care expense is budgeted at $237,504, a 8.7% increase over this year.

Click below to review the historic and projected tax rates for the various town functions.

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Peru’s 2016 Unofficial Election Totals are as follows not including any absentee ballots:
President of the United States
Hillary Clinton – 1183
Donald J. Trump – 1352
Jill Stein – 42
Gary Johnson – 134
U.S. Senator
Charles E. Schumer – 1506
Wendy Long – 1100
Robin Wilson – 23
State Supreme Court Justice
Mark L. Powers – 706
Timothy J. Lawliss – 1975
Representative in Congress
Mike Derrick – 1126
Elise Stefanik – 1571
Matthew Funiciiello – 44
State Senator
Betty Little – 2220
Stephen Ruzbacki – 216
Member of Assembly
D. Billy Jones – 1223
Kevan A. Mulverhill – 1472
County Court Judge
Keith M. Bruno – 1736
Mark E. Anderson – 965
Surrogate Court Judge
Catherine M. Paul – 1235
William A. Favreau – 1470

The Peru Town Board has scheduled a Public Hearing on the 2017 Town of Peru Budget for Thursday, November 10th at 6:30 p.m.  The Preliminary Budgets for General, Highway, Peru Sewer, Valcour Sewer and Peru Water appear below.  It is our understanding that the budgets stay below the NYS imposed tax cap. The Peru Gazette will be analyzing the budgets and hopefully interviewing Supervisor Peter Glushko tomorrow. Please attend the Public Hearing if you have any questions.

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Peru – As of 3:50 p.m. 1,883 or 42.8% of Peru’s 4,306 registered voters had cast ballots at St. Augustine’s Parish Center. In 2012, the last Presidential Election year, almost 63% of Peru’s voters cast ballots either at the polls or by absentee ballot. The polls close at 9 p.m.

Public Hearing on 2017 Town of Peru Budget scheduled for Thursday, November 10th at 6:30PM at the Peru Town Hall.

As of 8:15 this morning Peru’s voting was proceeding normally at the St. Augustine’s Parish Center, 3030 Main St. The polls will close at 9 p.m. The Peru Gazette will post Peru’s results as soon as possible after the polls close.

[Plattsburgh]- Please join the Clinton County Historical Association (CCHA) in celebrating New York History Month on Saturday, November 12th, 10 am to 3 pm with the opening of the Town of Clinton Exhibit and special Behind Closed Doors Museum Tours. Learn about the history of the Town of Clinton. See museum volunteers at work behind the scenes. Free gifts for the first 50 visitors. Light Refreshments. Free Admission. 98 Ohio Avenue, Old Base, Plattsburgh. For more information call 561-0340.

This winter, State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) wildlife biologists are seeking the public’s help to learn about new black bear dens throughout New York.

As part of DEC’s ongoing monitoring of black bears in New York, wildlife biologists periodically check on black bears during the winter den season. The bears may be fitted with a radio collar to help biologists track the bears’ activities throughout the rest of the year and to relocate dens in subsequent years for monitoring cub production, condition, and survival.

Bears may den in a rock crevice, tree cavity, or under heavy brush or fallen trees. Since female bears generally give birth in January or early February, a high-pitched squeal from the cubs may be audible if near a den. New York hikers and hunters typically cover countless miles of wooded terrain each year. DEC urges anyone who finds a bear den to not approach or disturb the den, but simply to note the location and move away from the den site.

DEC requests that anyone locating a bear den contact their local DEC Wildlife office with specifics about the den location, including GPS coordinates if possible. A list of regional wildlife offices is available on DEC’s website.

More information about black bears in New York is available at DEC’s Black Bear web page.