The Peru Gazette

Call Meeting To Order

Pledge of Allegiance

Roll Call

MOTION: Approval of Minutes for the Public Hearing for Zoning Board Manning and Town Board Regular Meeting of February 27, 2017

DISCUSSION/MOTION: Reports from all Departments: (Water/Sewer/Valcour; Highway; Town Clerk; Dog Control; Youth Department; Code/Zoning; Supervisor’s Report; Court; Website; and Banking Reports)

Community Input

DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Accept Bid for Parsons Road Culvert.

DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Military Turnpike/Mannix Road Trade Acceptance.

DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Revised Planning and Zoning Fee Schedules.

DISCUSSION: Shared Services Fuel Contract with Peru Central School.

DISCUSSION: Youth Program Background Checks.

DISCUSSION: Annual Town Finance Schools.

DISCUSSION: Internal Controls Audit Update.

DISCUSSION: Adjourn to Executive Session.

DISCUSSION: Return to Regular Session.

Other Business.
Community Input on Agenda Items.

Motion to Adjourn.

Please be advised that the car wash to assist Bill Downs is Saturday, March 11th, not Sunday, March 12th. It’s from 8 till noon at the Peru Fire Station.

Peru Central’s Board of Education will be holding a special meeting on Wednesday, March 15, 2017 at 4:15 PM in the Jr/Sr High School Community Room. The Board is expected to immediately proceed into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing employment history of particular individuals. No other school board or school district business will be conducted.

Peru Central’s Board of Education launches its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 at 4:15 PM at the school district’s Community Room, adjacent to the main entrance of Peru Jr/Sr High School. An executive session associated with particular personnel matters will take place immediately following the 4:15 PM start. The school board is slated to reconvene for public session business at approximately 7:00 PM. The Board will also conduct their third budget workshop along with a community budget forum shortly after they reconvene at 7:00 PM. Anticipated topics include:

· Election Services
· Bid Award
· Appointment of Personnel
· 2017-2018 Academic Calendar

The full Board agenda is available on the District’s website at www.perucsd.org.
All are welcome.

Bill Downs (Center) after receiving his Water Plant Operator of the Year Award from Supervisor Peter Glushko and Greg Timmons.

Peru – On Saturday, March 11th Peru and North Country residents will have the opportunity to assist former Peru Fire Chief Bill Downs who is battling Non Hodgkin lymphoma. Bill’s cancer was in remission until January when an aggressive lymphoma was discovered. He is currently undergoing chemotherapy and when that’s complete he will undergo stem cell transplant therapy in either Burlington or Boston. Bill and his wife Donna will have to live near the hospital for several weeks. To help out with expenses Bill and Donna’s daughter Taylor, family and friends are running a car wash at the Peru Fire Station between 8 a.m. and noon on Sunday. It’s only $5 a car.

Bill Downs is well known here in his hometown and elsewhere. The Halloween haunted garage at his Main Street home entertained children for many years. As a Peru Water Department employee, he was chosen as New York State Rural Water Association’s Plant Operator of the Year.

For more information contact Taylor Crowningshield at 335-3237.

2017
TOWN OF PERU YOUTH COMMISSION
**NEW ONLINE REGISTRATION**
(TOWN OF PERU RESIDENTS ONLY)
TOWNOFPERU.RECDESK.COM
March 15th to April 15th
You must create an account using parent’s information, then you must add your children as members of the same household. You will receive an email confirmation once your account has been approved. Once approved you can then register your children under the programs tab. A copy of your child(s) birth certificates must be provided at first practice to participate.
Those having difficulties or anyone without internet service will be able to register online at the Peru Free Library with the assistance of a Youth Commission Member. Dates and times will be announced soon.
Softball, Baseball, T-Ball Fall Soccer Arts & Crafts Tennis
Summer Soccer Basketball (See website for dates)

**Due to ongoing scheduling conflicts – The Peru Youth Commission has voted in the best interest of all of the children in our programs to require children choose either the Town of Peru softball/baseball program or City of Plattsburgh Little League softball/baseball program, as they will not be able to participate in both programs.**

Anyone that obtains a waiver from your Town to play in the Town of Peru, must turn it into the Town Offices at 3036 Main Street on or before April 15th to be eligible to play.
John Flynn, Youth Director
Phone: (518)593-0935 (cell)
Email: recreationdirector@perutown.com
Facebook: Peru Sports and Youth Program

Next Wednesday 3/15/17 we will have our Cast-Off Meeting for 2017. All interested youth anglers within the Adirondack Region are welcome to attend. The meeting is at the Peru Town Hall, basement level, 5:30-700pm.

Administrative opportunities are available within the club for area youth interested in learning more about Marketing, Advertising, Sponsorship, and Fund Raising. You do not have to fish to join our club.

Hope to see you at the meeting!!

MORRISVILLE, NY (03/08/2017)– Morrisville State College recently announced that Colin Pope of Peru, NY was named to the Dean’s List for the Fall 2016 semester.

To be named to the Dean’s List, a student must achieve an average of 3.0 to 3.99 for the semester and complete 12 credit hours.

Morrisville State College’s curricula are enriched with applied learning and pave the way for opportunity at both the Morrisville and Norwich campuses. An action-oriented, interactive learning lab, the college is a national leader in technology and has been lauded for its exemplary, innovative and effective community service programs.

The college was ranked among the Best Regional Colleges in the North by U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges 2017 issue and was also recognized in the Top Public Schools, Regional Colleges North in the 2017 Best Colleges rankings. For more information about Morrisville State College, visit www.morrisville.edu.

Source: Fundraiser planned for Plattsburgh native | Local News | pressrepublican.com

Source: See graduation rates for girls vs boys at every high school in New York state | syracuse.com

Source: School business officials: 98 percent are within tax cap – Capitol Confidential

Forest Ranger Actions for 2/26 – 3/5/17

Recent missions carried out by DEC Forest Rangers include:

Town of Coxsackie
Greene County
Recovery: On Feb. 26 at 6:33 p.m., Lt. Kevin Beiter was alerted that a human skull was found in the Vosburgh Swamp Wildlife Management Area in Coxsackie, just off of Four Mile Point Road. The skull was located by a hiker looking for arrowheads on state land, and was partially buried in a wooded area. A plan was made to assemble the next morning at 7 a.m. with a forensic team to look for additional evidence. On Monday, 12 State Troopers, two State Police K-9 units, four Greene County Sheriff Deputies, five DEC Environmental Conservation Officers, and two Forest Rangers grid searched the area around the location of the skull to look for additional bones and/or evidence related to the skull. The skull was not fully intact and had signs of extensive exposure to the elements. By 3:41 p.m., the search concluded. An assortment of items were collected to be forensically tested, including pieces of clothing that accumulated in the tidal area around the skull. A photo of the skull was sent to an anthropologist, who believes the skull belongs to a male between the ages of 10 to 13. More definitive testing of the skull will provide an accurate estimate of its age.

Town of Keene
Essex County
Search: On Feb. 28 at 4:30 p.m., DEC Ray Brook Dispatch was contacted requesting assistance for a 49-year-old male with an ankle injury on Dial Mt. who fell into a spruce trap. Three Forest Rangers responded, accessing the trail via the Adirondack Mountain Reserve (AMR) in Keene. Rangers reached the hiker by 7:40 p.m. and splinted his ankle. The hiker was able to continue the hike out with assistance from Forest Rangers and reached the trailhead at 10:40 p.m. The hiker transported himself to the Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake for follow-up treatment.

Town of Poestenkill
Rensselaer County
Recovery: On Feb. 25, a white male subject was free climbing the rock wall just below the cookie factory at the Poestenkill Creek when a bystander in the area witnessed the climber fall into the creek. He never surfaced. The water flow was high and turbulent due to the warm weather and snow melt. The bystander called 911 and local fire and police department personnel responded to the scene. The turbulent water conditions limited the scope of search operations until March 1, when Troy Fire Department personnel surveyed the shoreline and first responders used underwater cameras. There were no findings. Forest Rangers were requested to assist in a swift water search and recovery effort lead by the New York State Police and Troy Fire Department. On March 2 and 3, Rangers set up the swift water raft utilizing a technical rope system to allow State Police divers and an underwater camera to check two large pools immediately below the falls, where the subject had fallen. Five Rangers with the Troy Fire Department walked the creek from the second pool to the Hudson River and found nothing. A New York State Police helicopter did a fly-over to search the Poestenkill Creek and the Hudson River. State Police also used their boat with sonar to check the Hudson River. Forest Ranger involvement was suspended on March 3.

Town of Keene
Essex County
Search: On March 1 at 6:37 p.m., DEC Ray Brook Dispatch received a direct call from a mother who said her daughter went for a walk and got lost in the woods off Beede Road in Keene Valley. Two Forest Rangers responded, one starting from the front of Levi Lamb Road and the other from the end of the road. Through the use of coordinates provided by Essex County 911, Forest Rangers were able to establish voice contact with the 15-year-old girl. She was located in good health and assisted out of the woods. She was then escorted back to her home by Forest Rangers. The incident concluded around 9:25 p.m.

Town of Chateaugay
Franklin County
Recovery: On March 2 at 8:26 a.m., DEC Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from the New York State Police requesting assistance with a female who was seen jumping off the bridge on Route 11 into the Chateugay River in Chateugay. Other agencies coordinating with the recovery included the Franklin County Technical Rescue Team and Chateaugay and Burke fire departments. The agencies worked together to locate and remove the subject from a log strainer on the river. The Franklin County coroner pronounced the subject deceased, and all units were back in service around 12:51 p.m.

Town of Lloyd
Ulster County
Wildland Fire: On March 2, Forest Ranger Kevin Slade responded to a 0.8-acre wildland fire on Illlinois Mountain that was the result of an escaped debris burn. The area burned consisted of hardwood litter.
Town of Amity
Allegany County
DWI and Heroin Arrest: On March 3 around 9:30 p.m., Forest Ranger Justin Thaine rendered aid to an individual with a vehicle stuck in a ditch. Shortly after clearing the motorist, Ranger Thaine encountered a vehicle partially obstructing the roadway on State Rt. 19, with the operator asleep at the wheel. Ranger Thaine engaged the subject, who appeared intoxicated and requested assistance. Upon arrival of the New York State Police, a search of the subject’s vehicle was conducted and yielded 10 bags of heroin. The subject was turned over to State Police custody, with Ranger Thaine assisting with the subsequent arrest process at the Amity State Police barracks.

Town of Wilmington
Essex County
Rescue: On March 4 at 10:46 a.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a request for assistance from Essex County 911 for a 26-year-old male from St. Huebert’s, Quebec, who, while descending Whiteface Mountain, lost his footing, slid off the trail, went through the woods about 30 feet, then fell off a 25-foot vertical cliff to the Whiteface Highway below. The subject required medical assistance for serious injuries. Rangers arrived at a staging area on the Whiteface Highway at 11:45 a.m. Snowmobiles were taken up the highway to the injured subject along with Wilmington EMS. The subject was reached at 12:08 p.m. After a medical evaluation, he was packaged and brought down the Whiteface Highway at 12:36 p.m. Wilmington Ambulance transported the subject to a landing zone, where he was loaded into a Medivac Helicopter and flown to Fletcher Allen Hospital in Burlington, Vermont. The incident concluded at 1:35 p.m.

Town of Keene
Essex County
Search: On March 5 at around 10:15 p.m., the girlfriend of a hiker called DEC dispatch concerned that her boyfriend was overdue from a solo hike up Mount Colden’s Trap Dike after not hearing from him at the planned arrival time of 4:30 p.m. The 62-year-old experienced hiker was well equipped for the night, but did not carry a cell phone. His spot locator was not working properly. At 10:30 p.m., Forest Ranger Scott VanLaer and Lake Colden caretaker Katie Tyler began searching trails and trailheads in the area. Ranger VanLaer met up with the hiker at the trailhead around midnight. He had found his own way out of the woods and was uninjured.

Town of White Creek
Washington County
Wildland Fire: On March 5, Forest Ranger Mike Bodnar responded to a half-acre wildland fire on private property. The burned area consisted of grass fuel that had been the result of debris burning.

Forest Rangers would like to alert the public that conditions exist for wildland fires this week. March, April, and May are often the months of highest wildlfire occurrences, and the annual brush fire burn ban will being March 16 and run through May 14. The burning of leaves, grass, and garbage is prohibited at all times throughout the State during this period.

Source: Listen: how Clinton Dannemora prison shaped two people’s lives | NCPR News

Despite Four Fatalities, DEC Records Lowest Number of Hunting-Related Shooting Incidents on Record

The State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced today that the 2016 hunting season in New York had only 13 hunting-related shooting incidents, the lowest number on record since DEC began compiling hunting-related shooting statistics in 1958.

“Hunting is a proud tradition in New York State that continues to be safely enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of residents and visitors each year,” DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said. “The trend of declining hunting accidents is proof that our Sportsman Education Program is working thanks, in large part, to the efforts of the 3,000 volunteer instructors that teach our hunter safety courses every year.”

Of the 13 hunting-related shooting incidents in 2016, seven incidents were self-inflicted and six incidents involved more than one person. In 2015, there were 23 incidents. In 1966, there were 166 incidents, 13 of which were fatal.

Despite these low numbers, there were four fatalities in 2016 – two two-party incidents and two self-inflicted incidents. Read more »

The Strand Center for the Arts is excited to host its Annual High School & Middle School Exhibition this April and is looking for student artists. This year’s exhibition will be held at The Strand Center Main Gallery at 23 Brinkerhoff Street in Plattsburgh. The exhibition will open on April 7 and run through April 28, 2017 with the opening reception on Friday, April 7 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Homeschooling parents and local art teachers in Essex, Clinton, and Franklin counties are invited to submit their student’s works in this juried show. The HS/MS Exhibition features work from local students in 6th through 12th grades.

Awards will be given to students winning first, second, and third places in the media categories of drawing, painting, sculpture (3D), ceramics, mixed media (2D), photography, graphic design, and printmaking.

Artwork drop-off dates for teachers start on March 23 until March 31 and entries must be registered before this deadline. Interested homeschooling parents and local art teachers are encouraged to review the submission guidelines at www.strandcenter.org under Exhibitions and Upcoming for details. Contact The Strand Center Gallery Director, David Monette, to register at gallery@strandcenter.org or by calling 518-563-1604 ext. 103.

The High School & Middle School Exhibition will be on view in The Strand Center Gallery at 23 Brinkerhoff Street in Plattsburgh from April 7 to April 28, 2017. The Opening Reception will take place Friday, April 7 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public. For more information on these exhibits, upcoming events, concerts or classes happening at The Strand Center for the Arts, please call 518-563-1604 or visit www.strandcenter.org. Read more »

Click here for story on Duane Waterman’s Life and Military Service 

Thank you to Maureen McMurty for making The Peru Gazette aware of this story.

Zachary Swyers spelled his way to national competition.

Source: Peru Central eighth-grader grabs bee title | News | pressrepublican.com

From the office of NYS Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli

The state Department of Health (DOH) could have saved the Medicaid program as much as $146 million over a six-year period if it had helped Medicaid patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) who meet certain eligibility requirements get the Medicare benefits to which they are entitled, according to an audit released today by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. Auditors estimate those efforts, if implemented, could save another $69 million from 2016 to 2018, which includes $17 million in savings for counties and New York City.
“New Yorkers dealing with kidney failure and struggling with day-to-day life should be informed of their Medicare eligibility, which could reduce their out-of-pocket expenses and may provide them with more options for care.” DiNapoli said. “The state has an obligation not just to patients, but to taxpayers. With the looming uncertainty over Medicaid under the new administration in Washington, states need to take every initiative to defray Medicaid program costs.” Read more »

By John T. Ryan

Monday, February 27, 2017 Peru Town Board meeting highlights included: a highway exchange agreement, equipment purchases and potential background checks for youth commission coaches. The meeting began with a moment of silence as a sign of respect for former town tax assessor Alan Brault who passed away on February 26th.

The board:

• Received notification that the Clinton Highway Department has agreed to exchange ownership of a 2.2 mile portion of the Military Turnpike currently maintained by the town for a 1.54 mile portion of the Mannix Road currently maintained by the county. The Mannix Road portion is between Route 22B and the Clark Road. The Military Turnpike portion extends from Route 22 to the Town of Schuyler Falls line. A resolution to approve the exchange will be drafted for the March 13th meeting.
• Agreed that the town will not plow the dog park or its entrance trail/road during the winter months. A sign will be posted stating that users enter at their own risk. Plowing would damage the stone base material.
• Approved purchase of a 2017 Ford F350 Truck under NYS contract for the Parks Department at a cost of $28,550. The department will sell the oldest of its trucks.
• Approved the Highway Department purchase of a Woods Batwing roadside mower at a cost of $12,202. It will be purchased from the Peru Farm Center.
• Approved a $1,271 alarm system monitoring contract with Tyco Integrated Security.
• Learned from Counselor Donald McBrayer that several interested residents met to discuss future uses for the historic stone building at Heyworth/Mason Park. It was learned that the building is not in a flood plain; however, since the surrounding property is in a flood plain it would be difficult, if not impossible, to insure the building. Discussions will continue.
• Learned that the town’s insurer asked if background checks have been conducted on Youth Commission employees and coaches. The board will investigate the required extent and cost of background checks.
• Resident Jane Alexander told the board that the Town of Peru should promote Battle of Valcour Anniversary celebrations since Valcour Island is mostly in the Town of Peru. The Battle took place from October 11-13, 1776.
• Youth Commission Chairman Greg Mills told the Board that the Youth Baseball Opening Tournament will take place on June 3rd. Summer Activities will begin on July 3rd. The Soccer Kick-off will take place on September 9th.
• Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell reported that repairing the Parsons Road culvert is going to be expensive. Concrete will cost approximately $25,000 in addition to the stud welding charge.

The Peru Community Church invites all to worship, pray and study during this holy season of Lent, which began on Ash Wednesday on March 1 and concludes Easter Sunday on April 16.

The Reverend Peggi Eller, Pastor, will be preaching each Sunday in Lent about the churches in the Book of Revelation, and how Jesus’ message then relates to the church today. Worship services are held each Sunday at 8 AM and 10:30 AM in the sanctuary in the stone building at the corner of Elm and Pleasant Streets in Peru. Both services include a Children’s Sermon, and childcare is available for those 2nd grade and under. Coffee hours follow each service.

Sunday School for pre-school through adult is held each Sunday at 9:15 AM in the Fellowship Center. The Adult Lenten study is called ‘The Jesus Fatwah’ – a 5-week study presented on video by Islamic and Christian scholars providing reliable information about what Muslims believe, how they live out their faith, and how we all can be about building relationships across the lines of faith. Discussion led by Pastor Peggi follows each video clip, and is held in the Chapel in the Fellowship Center.

During Lent, Communion will be served every Sunday at the 8 AM service, and, at the 10:30 AM service, on the first Sunday of each month. A service of Communion and Prayer is also offered each Friday morning at 8 AM in the Fellowship Center as 13 Elm Street – across from the sanctuary.

The Peru Community Church welcomes all to worship. Questions? Please contact the church office / Pastor Peggi Eller at 518-643-8641. Our website is www.perucommunitychurch.com.

United Way of the Adirondack Region, Inc. is planning our 17th Annual Olympian Celebrity Golf Classic and we would like you to be a part of the day-long festivities. The event will be held on Thursday, June 8, 2017. This year the tournament will be at the Lake Placid Club, 88 Morningside Drive in Lake Placid. Like the Golf Classics of the past, each three member team will be paired with an Olympic Celebrity. After the round of golf, there will be a Barbeque and drawings for prizes. This event benefits United Way of the Adirondack Region, Inc. and its’ partner agencies. You can find the registration form on our website, www.unitedwayadk.org (click on the tab for special events) or you can call 518-563-0028 to have one mailed.

The cost is $500.00 for a 3-person Team which includes greens fees, cart and dinner. The team will be joined by a Celebrity guest. Prizes are awarded to: 1st, 2nd & 3rd place winners, skins, longest drive, closest to pin, hole in one & raffle winners.
If you cannot put in a team there are other sponsorship opportunities available.
Tee Box Sponsorship for $200.00
Hole Flag Sponsorship for $100.00
Advertising space in the Golf Classic Program,
Back Cover $500.00
Inside Cover $450.00
Full Page $400.00
1/2 page $200.00
Business Card $100.00

BEWARE Peru and possibly regional electric and gas users. A VERY high pressure representative of Just Energy, an Energy Service Company (ESCO), is in town trying to sign people up to very high fixed green energy electric and gas rates. Personal opinion: DO NOT sign-up without extensive research. I called the NYS Public Service Commission. They recommended going to nypowertochoose.com to compare rates. The electric rate I was quoted was 20% higher than we are currently paying. The gas rate was 60% higher. BEWARE and please advise your neighbors, especially elderly neighbors.

October 6th, 7th, 8th of 2017 this Fall!
The Peru Central School graduating Class of 1977 will be reunited in the North Country! Look Out locals!
Friday afternoon/evening meet @ The Valcour Brewing Company at The Old Stone Barracks formally known as the old base.
49 Ohio Street
Plattsburgh , NY

Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay) announced that legislation he co-sponsored, to reform the state’s School Tax Relief (STAR) program to fix changes made in last years’ budget and remove barriers to prompt tax relief (A.5969) has passed the assembly.

“The changes made last year hurt middle-class families the most,” said Jones. “Homeowners in the North Country struggled to pay their local taxes while waiting for a rebate check that in many cases has still not arrived. That is why I fought for this legislation to pass quickly, so we can keep money into the pockets of hardworking residents.”

Before last year, all eligible homeowners saw a yearly reduction in their school tax bill. Now, all new homeowners – those who bought their first home and those who moved to a different home – have to pay a higher school tax bill then register for a rebate check from the state, which they are supposed to receive each fall. Although the amount of the benefit is the same, the new system is incredibly inconvenient for the affected homeowners, noted Jones.

In the last couple of months since taking office, Jones has received numerous phone calls from constituents who have not received their rebate checks or received it months late. Read more »