The Peru Gazette

By John T. Ryan

Peru – Contract negotiations, tobacco prohibitions and back-flow prevention valves were some of the topics discussed at the Monday, March 27th Town Board meeting.

An impasse has been declared in contract negotiations between the Town of Peru and its Highway Department CSEA employees. Both sides met with a mediator on Tuesday. Supervisor Peter Glushko said progress was made. Union Representative Scott Houser had no comment. Future mediation sessions have been scheduled.

Counselors discussed tobacco product and usage prohibitions in and around town buildings and vehicles. Smoking cigarettes and the like is prohibited in town buildings and vehicles. Adding e-cigarettes, snuff, chew and similar items to the prohibited items and establishing a no-smoking zone adjacent to town buildings was discussed, Prohibiting the use of tobacco products on any town property was mentioned. Counselors will research the policies being followed by other communities prior to taking any action.

Water-Sewer Superintendent Courtney Tetrault asked for the Board’s guidance when commercial users do not comply with the town’s annual back-flow valve testing requirement. A back-flow value reduces potential contaminating of the town’s potable water system. Tetrault has sent three letters to three users who have not complied. Two other customers have not installed the valves. Tetrault said the law calls for a $100 penalty when annual testing is not conducted. Counselors asked Tetrault to send certified letters prior to initiating any penalty action. Tetrault said there is a contractor who will conduct the test for $45.

Counselors decided to search out a new IT provider. The contract with Simon Moore, who was hired in March 2015, will not be renewed. No reason was stated for not renewing the contract.

County Legislator Peter Keenan presented one of his periodic reports to the board. Keenan said that sales tax collections are ahead of projections and that Construction Phase #1 of the Plattsburgh International Airport has been completed. He said New York State recently awarded $38 million for a second phase and it will include a hotel and a road leading to the hotel. Click here to see MY NBC Report.

In other actions the Board:

• Renewed its accounting services contract with Boulrice and Wood CPS, PC.
• Noted that a time clock will be installed at the new town court building at a cost of $600. The clock will be utilized by the one part-time employee.
• Counselor Jim Douglass commended Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell and Water/Sewer/Parks Superintendent Courtney Tetrault for the excellent work their departments performed during and following the March 15-16 snowfall. Farrell said his department’s seven plows can clear the town’s roads in three to three and one-half hours during a 6 inch snowfall. The March snowfall totaled about 31 inches.
• Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell reported on the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) lobbying trip to Albany. Farrell said he brought up health insurance costs with State Senator Betty Little and that the region’s highway superintendents would like to bargain with health insurance carriers as a group to increase their bargaining power. The proposal will be discussed with Assemblyman Bill Jones.
• Water Superintendent Courtney Tetrault is researching the least expensive method for disposing of the water treatment plant’s backwash sediment. The plant’s filtration system is backwashed three or more times daily depending on water quality. The two lagoons behind the plant hold thousands of yards of sediment and haven’t been emptied since the 1990’s.
• Judge Jim Kirby reported that a security system including cameras is operational at the town court building.
• Dog Control Office David Drollette reported finding 13 unlicensed dogs within the last ten days. The dogs have been/will be licensed.

Peru – Once all approvals are acquired, the Maplefields Convenience Store/Gas Station at 654 Bear Swamp will be ungoing a tear-down and major expansion. Plans have been filed with the Peru Code Enforcement Office and a site-plan will be reviewed by the Planning Board at its Wednesday, April 12th meeting.

Plans detail a 5,280 sq. ft. building replacing the existing 2,770 sq. ft. building. The new building includes a Subway, a hot dog – taquito counter, walk-in coolers and a beer cave. The canope over the diesel fuel pumps will be enlarged.

R. L. Vallee Inc. of St. Albans, Vermont owns Maplefields which has grown into a major Northern New York and Vermont convenience store chain. A new Maplefields is already under construction at the corner of U.S. Avenue and New York Road in Plattsburgh.

R. L. Valle Regional Manager Scott Desnake told the Peru Gazette that the tear-down and rebuild is expected to take about 6 months. The business will not be open during the construction period.

This expansion is one of a series of recent major investments on the Bear Swamp Road including the Rulfs Orchard Farm Stand, the Peru Federal Credit Union, a ultra-modern free-standing Dunkin Donuts and the relocated Peru Town Court building.

April 19, 2017 @ 7:00 PM, TOWN OF PERU
CALL MEETING TO ORDER
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
APPROVAL of March 15, 2017 minutes.
OPEN FLOOR to public hearing
APPLICATION:
Continuation of a Nonconforming Use: Z-2017-0019 North Country Mission of Hope
Continuation of a Nonconforming Use-
3452 Route 22B
Peru, NY 12972
ANY FURTHER BUSINESS
CEO REPORT:
ADJOURNMENT

SUNY Oswego Graduate Al Roker (R) and Oswego student Connor Douglass of Peru, NY at SUNY Oswego this week. The Today Show covered http://www.syracuse.com/…/al_roker_oswego_record_conga_toda… Believe It or Not Record.

Source: Legislators still discussing where to funnel ride-hailing tax money

Source: Asian beetle threatens Adirondack forests that produce iconic baseball bats | NCPR News

The Peru Central School Board of Education will gather Thursday, April 6th at 5:30 PM in the Community Room, adjacent to the main entrance of Peru Jr/Sr High School, for their fifth budget workshop. An executive session associated with particular personnel matters will take place immediately following the 5:30 PM start. The school board is slated to reconvene for the workshop at approximately 6:00 PM. At its budget workshop, the School Board is expected to:

· Review State Budget status
· Discuss Enhancements, Revenues, and Expenditures
The full agenda is available on the Peru CSD website at www.perucsd.org.

The meeting is open to all.

The Peru Community Church announces special Holy Week and Easter season services. We welcome everyone – all are warmly invited to join in worship and Church-sponsored events at any time.

The Palm Sunday services in the Sanctuary on April 9th at 8 am and 10:30 am, herald the triumphant entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem. The Rev. Peggi Eller will provide a sermon entitled “No Ordinary Day in Town”. Palms will be distributed to all. Sunday School for children will meet at 9:15 am. The Annual Palm Sunday Brunch will be on-going from 9 am – 1 pm in the Church’s Fellowship Center.

On Maundy/Holy Thursday, April 13th at 5:30 pm, a Seder Meal with readings will held in the Church’s Fellowship Center, Read more »

From the Office of Assemblyman Bill Jones

Assemblyman Jones: Ride-hailing is long overdue for upstate New York
“While New York City has reaped the benefits of ride-hailing services for years, upstate communities have been unfairly left out. It’s time to change that. That’s why I support allowing these valuable services to operate in all corners of the state.
“In the North Country, ride-hailing would create jobs and increase safety on the roads. Ride-hailing will also provide a reliable alternative to public transportation to help citizens get to much-needed medical appointments and employment opportunities. It is without a doubt that these amenities will help connect our communities and spur economic growth for small businesses.
“I’ll continue fighting to bring ride-hailing upstate so that all New Yorkers can take advantage of these services and enjoy their benefits.”
The Peru Gazette asked Assemblyman’s Jone’s office if “ride-hailing” is another name for Uber and similar services. They responded, “Yes!”

Source: DiNapoli wants Trump to safeguard hazardous rail shipments – Times Union

Don’t forget to tune in to CBS at 8 p.m. for tonight’s Honor Flight-inspired episode of NCIS!
It will come as no surprise to anyone who’s ever watched the popular TV series that the show’s plot revolves around an obligatory, edge-of-your-seat murder for the NCIS team to solve. Beyond that obviously fictional storyline, however, we have been assured the episode paints a compellingly realistic picture of the overwhelming emotional catharsis and renewed sense of pride and purpose so many of our senior-most veterans experience in visiting their national war memorials with North County Honor Flight.
It is a huge testament to the life-changing impact of Honor Flight’s mission that NCIS writer Gina Lucita Monreal was inspired to create the episode based on the rejuvenation she saw in her own grandfather-in-law after his honor flight.
The airing of tonight’s NCIS episode will carry Honor Flight into an unprecedented number of households across the country. It is our goal to use this heightened awareness as a catalyst for reaching local veterans who’ve yet to fly with North Country Honor Flight, encouraging the crucial financial and volunteer support needed to further our mission, and forging new relationships that will enable us to honor veterans now and long into the future.

Thank you for your support in encouraging your friends, family, business associates and community connections to tune in to this special episode of NCIS!

Drivers for the DAV van are still needed to bring Veterans to their appointments at the Stratton VA hospital in Albany. The process to qualify drivers has been streamlined. Anyone interested please call Greg Lee at 518-570-7253 or email him at greglee423@aol.com. It’s only once a month or whatever you can fit into your schedule.

AGENDA – TOWN BOARD REGULAR MEETING, March 27@ 7:00 PM
Call Meeting To Order

Pledge of Allegiance

Roll Call

MOTION: Approval of Minutes for the March 13, 2017 Regular Board Meeting.

Community Input

DISCUSSION/MOTION: Acceptance of Peru Youth Program Report.

DISCUSSION/MOTION: Set Peru Dog Law Public Hearing.

DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Approve Wastewater Pressed Sludge Contract.

DISCUSSION/MOTION: Town IT Contract.

DISCUSSION: Tobacco Product Use in Town Buildings/Vehicles.

DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Fund Transfers.

DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Approve Accountant Contract.

DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Approve MOA for CSEA Impasse Attendance.

DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Close Out H18 Safe Routes To Schools II Account.

DISCUSSION: Back Flow Prevention Device Compliance Issues.

DISCUSSION: Lakes To Locks Turning Point Program.

DISCUSSION: Other Business.

DISCUSSION: Public Comments on Agenda Items Only.

DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Approve/Pay Bills.

MOTION: Adjourn

Source: Dannemora inmate fractures eye socket of guard who caught him smoking drugs, union says | syracuse.com

‘WAVE’ Project Connects New Yorkers with Health of Rivers and Streams and Hands-on Training

WAVE Volunteer Training Starts in May at Multiple Locations Including Plattsburgh & Willsboro 

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced today that DEC is actively recruiting volunteers for the 2017 summer sampling season to conduct water quality assessments in nearby streams and rivers as part of the Water Assessments by Volunteer Evaluators (WAVE) project.

“DEC encourages New Yorkers to participate in the WAVE program and get involved in screening-and better understanding-the health of local rivers and streams,” said Commissioner Basil Seggos. “Clean water is essential for healthy and prosperous communities. WAVE monitoring helps DEC identify New York’s waterbodies in need and encourages local residents to better understand the health of nearby waterways.” Read more »

The Peru Democratic Party meeting will be held on Thursday March 30th, 2017 at 7 00PM.
The location will be the Peru Town Hall.

· Discussion and plans for the upcoming election in November 2017.

· Discussion and planning for the Peru Dems “American Heritage Potluck Social” which will be held on April 7th,. More information will be sent out on this in the near future.

· Please bring sold April Raffle Tickets to the meeting and turn them into Jean Schiffler.

· The Next Clinton County Democratic Meeting will be on March 28th, at 7:00PM. Location. American Legion, Quarry Rd. Plattsburgh

WEDNESDAY, April 12, 2017 @ 7:00 PM
TOWN OF PERU
CALL MEETING TO ORDER
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
APPROVAL of March 8, 2017 minutes.
OPEN FLOOR to public hearing
APPLICATIONS:
1. Site Plan Review: P-2017-002 R.L. Vallee Inc. – Maplefields
Site Plan Review
654 Bear Swamp Rd.
Peru, NY 12972
2. Merge: P-2017-003 R.L. Vallee Inc. – Maplefields
Merge
654 Bear Swamp Rd.
Peru, NY 12972
ANY FURTHER BUSINESS:
CEO REPORT:

Peru – A Town Hall room once occupied by Peru’s two town justices, two secretaries and court records has been transformed into a room suitable for board executive sessions, conferences and employee breaks. Executive sessions had been held in the small town supervisor’s office.
Supervisor Peter Glushko said the work was done by Water/Sewer/Parks Department personnel at a cost of about $2,000.

On December 6, 2016 Peru Town Court held its first session at its new Davey Drive location.

From the Office of the Superintendent of Peru Central School
Peru Central School District recently received Recognition for Excellence in Environmental Health through The ChildSafe School NYS Certificate Program.
ChildSafe Schools in New York State address health and safety needs, with school policies and practices that ensure reduced exposures and will lead to improved environmental health. Individual schools or school districts that meet or exceed the criteria are eligible to receive ChildSafe School certificates. This recognition program was created by Grassroots Environmental Education and is supported by the New York State Parent Teachers Association (NYSPTA), New York State United Teachers (NYSUT), and the NYS Pollution Prevention Institute.

The ChildSafe School provides a step-by-step framework to help parents, teachers and administrators make their schools as environmentally safe as they can be, by adopting policies that prohibit the idling of school buses and other vehicles, mandate the use of safe cleaning products, and eliminate the use of pesticides on school grounds and playing fields.

Today, my office issued a report detailing regional trends in education funding, enrollment, and conditions across the state. The report analyzes school district financial and demographic information from nine separate regions outside of New York City.
Investments in New York’s public schools are vital at both the state and local level. By examining regional comparisons and trends in school district revenues, expenditures and student demographics, we can better inform the decisions of state lawmakers, education stakeholders and taxpayers.
Some of the key findings in our report include:
In 2014-15, total school district revenues were $37.7 billion, which includes federal and state aid, the STAR subsidy and local revenue. Local revenue, overwhelmingly from property taxes, made up more than half of total school revenues (54.5 percent), an increase of 3 percentage points from 2004-05. Over the same period, federal and state aid (including STAR) each declined slightly, by 1.4 and 1.6 percentage points, respectively;
The median per-pupil spending for school districts in 2014-15 was $22,658. The Mid-Hudson Valley had the highest median per-pupil spending rate at $26,636, while Western New York was lowest at $19,776. This measure varied greatly across the state and can be largely attributed to regional cost differences. The report notes that significant variations in per-pupil spending exist within each region; and
The percentage of students eligible for free- or reduced-price lunch was 39 percent in 2014-15, and 17 percent of students were considered to be living in poverty. The regional differences in these measures were significant in the Mohawk Valley with 53 percent of students eligible for free- or reduced-price lunches and 26 percent of students living in poverty. Long Island had the fewest students receiving free- or reduced-price lunches at 26 percent and only 8 percent living in poverty.
You can read the entire report on my website, by visiting: http://www.osc.state.ny.us/…/re…/education/pdf/education.pdf
To view the report’s interactive regional map, you can visit: http://www.osc.state.ny.us/…/educa…/regionaleducationmap.htm
If you have any questions about the report, please contact my Division of Local Government and School Accountability at 518-474-4037 or via email at: localgov@osc.state.ny.us
I invite you to follow us on Twitter (@NYSComptroller) and Facebook (facebook.com/nyscomptroller).
Boost Post

Peru Central’s Board of Education will be holding a special meeting on Thursday, March 23, 2017 at 2:45 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 is slated for this meeting.

Source: Trooper Brian Falb remembered as a hero, beloved father, and a role model | NCPR News