The Peru Gazette

Local restaurant owners say pay bump could force them to raise prices and lay off workers

Source: Minimum wage hike taking bite out of Plattsburgh restaurant biz – Sun Community News & Printing

Source: Lawmakers, advocates push for ‘aid in dying’ bill – Capitol Confidential

L-R Grandson Greg Lombard, Albina St. Germain,                                           Gordy Santor, granddaughter Lu-Ann Santor, Rev. Alan Shnob

Albina and great, great granddaughter Samantha Watson

Family, friends and St. Augustine’s parishioners celebrated the 105^th birthday of Albina Archambault St. German last Saturday, February 6, 2016. Reverend Alan Shnob presented Albina with a dozen roses at the 4:30 Mass. Then five generations of her family, friends and parishioners gathered in St. Augustine’s Parish Center to enjoy fellowship and a meal prepared by the St. Augustine’s Knights of Columbus. Mrs. St. Germain attends Mass each week, often shops in local stores and does her own banking.  At Saturday’s party she conversed with almost everyone, especially her great, great grandchildren.  She obviously loves them and they very obviously love her! Click here to view all our Peru Gazette photos.

Cornell Cooperative Extension and the New York Annie’s Project will host the Managing for Today and Tomorrow: Succession, Business, Estate and Retirement Planning for Farm and Ranch Women course starting March 16 in Plattsburgh and March 17 in Canton. Women from any county may attend the programs. 

The Plattsburgh course will be held at Cornell Cooperation Extension Clinton County, 6064 Route 22, from 10 am to 2:30 pm on March 16, 23, and 30, and April 6.

The Canton course will be held at the St. Lawrence County Extension Learning Farm, Route 68, from 10 am to 2:30 pm on March 17, 24, and April 7 and 17.

The cost of the course is $100 per person for 15 hours of instruction. Lunch or light supper and course materials are included in the cost. To register, contact Kimberley Morrill at Cornell Cooperative Extension at 603.568.1404, kmm434@cornell.edu, or register online at  https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/_10512.

Annie’s Project, anniesproject.org, is a nationally recognized educational program now serving more than 12,000 farm women in 33 states. The Managing for Today and Tomorrow curriculum empowers women to be strong farm business managers, to enhance their conservation practices and agricultural sustainability, contribute to rural communities and be a positive influence on family decision making. The course provides participants with tools and resources to help begin the process of farm transitioning to the next generation or owner.

Participants will learn from area professionals and specialists, most of whom serve agricultural clientele in local communities. Discussions accompany presentations and follow-up activities for family members at home.  Read more »

Delastek plans to manufacture customized bumpers for Nova Bus, Prevost buses.

Source: Quebec-based firm expands to Plattsburgh | Local News | pressrepublican.com

AGENDA TOWN BOARD REGULAR MEETING,  February 8, 2016, 7:00 PM

1. Call Meeting To Order

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Roll Call

4. MOTION: Approval of Minutes for the Town Board Regular Meeting of January 25, 2016.

5. 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)

6. Community Input

7. DISCUSSION: Mason Family Presentation of Mill Painting 

8. DISCUSSION: Babbie Rural & Learning Farm Request. 

9. DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Approval of Highway Department Pickup Truck Purchase. 

10. DISCUSSION: Rulfs Building Project Update. 

11. DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Approval of Elmore SPCA Contract. 

12. DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Appointment of Bruce Germain to Zoning Board of Appeals. 

13. DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Change Membership of Planning and Zoning Board of Appeals to Five Members. 

14. DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Appointment of Kayla Martin as Planning and Zoning Board of Appeals Secretary. 

15. DISCUSSION: Town Hall Renovations.

16. DISCUSSION/MOTION: Rescind Town Cell Phone Reimbursement Policy. 

17. DISCUSSION/MOTION: Adjourn to Executive session. 

18. DISCUSSION/MOTION: Return from Executive session. 

19. Other Business.

20. Community Input on Agenda Items.

21. Motion to Adjourn.

For the past ten years, Peru CSD has organized a Budget Advisory Committee (BAC) that has served to inform and promote school-community discussion concurrent with the school district budget development process.

The BAC typically meets 3-4 times to develop an understanding of revenues and expenditures, components of a balanced budget, and particular challenges that face the school district.  Traditionally, the BAC has formulated recommendations for Board consideration to assist the Board and administration.

The BAC is tentatively scheduled to meet at 6:00 PM on Thursday, February 11^th, Thursday, February 25^th, and Tuesday, March 15^th.  In addition to these informational sessions, the BAC will be invited to share their recommendations with the School Board on Tuesday, March 22^nd during a public budget development workshop.

If you wish to participate in any of the meetings of the BAC, please register by calling 643-6004.  Thank you.

Sectional Seven Championships are to be held on February 13, 2016 at Northern Adirondack High School. Champions of each weight class will advance to the NYSPHSAA wrestling championships at the Albany’s Time Union Center, Albany, NY on February 26^th and 27^th.

COST OF ADMISSION TO THE SECTIONALS IS SET BY THE SECTION

ADMISSION:               $5 ADULTS ALL DAY

STUDENTS:                $5 ALL DAY

FINALS ONLY:            $5 ADULTS, $5 STUDENTS 

8:00 TO 9:30      WEIGH-INS- MUST HAVE 1 OTHER TEAM PRESENT TO START

9:00                  COACHES MEETING

9:30                  WRESTLERS REPORT TO THE MATS

10:00                  1^ST ROUND BEGINS. (1 MAT)

11:00                  2^ND ROUND BEGINS. SEMI-FINALS (2 MATS)

1:30                  WRESTLE BACKS, CONSOLATION FINALS FOR 3^RD & 4^TH PLACE

2:30                  CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS                 

AGENDA ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2016 @ 7:00 PM TOWN OF PERU

APPLICATIONS:

1. New Nonconforming Use: Rulfs Orchard New Nonconforming Use 531 Bear Swamp Rd.

ANY FURTHER BUSINESS:

CEO REPORT:

PLANNING BOARD AGENDA WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016 @ 7:00 PM TOWN OF PERU

APPLICATIONS:

1. Site Plan Review & SEQR: Ray Aley, M&W Foods Site Plan Review Dunkin’ Donuts Bear Swamp Rd. next to Langley Insurance

2. 2 Lot Minor Subdivsion & SEQR: Harney Davey 2 Lot Minor Subdivision for Dunkin’ Donuts Bear Swamp Rd. next to Langley Insurance

3. 2 Lot Minor Subdivision & Merge & SEQR: Rodney Estes and Alberta Estes 2 Lot Minor Subdivision & Merge 533 Reservoir Rd. 7.

With a key win over Saranac, the Peru wrestling team claimed the conference championship.

Source: Indians defend CVAC title | Sports | pressrepublican.com

Peru Co-coach Gary Edwards reports:  Peru was 4 and 0 on the day. Saranac was 3 – 1, Beekmantown was 2 -2 Ausable Valley 1-2 and NAC was 0-4.  Peru was the CVAC winner in a  tie breaker over Saranac.  Peru lost to Saranac earlier in the season by a score of 39 to 33.  We had to win by 7 points more than Saranac to secure the title.

Season record

Peru                  7-1

Saranac             7-1

Beekmantown 4 -4

NAC                    2-6

AVCS                  1-7

L-R Elizabeth Daly, Randi Walton, Lianne Wyckoff

By John T. Ryan

Peru – Anyone entering Peru’s newest business quickly realizes that the building that previously housed a log home sales company at 3085 Main Street has been truly transformed. Polished From Head to Toe owner Randi Walton describes it as Hollywood glam, rustic cabin atmosphere. A crystal chandelier illuminates the main room, curtains drape from door casings and cedar log colors blend with shades of gray. Walton focused on art at Peru High School and still enjoys portraiture work. She said, “My art background helped me design the salon. I wanted to make Polished From Head to Toe an experience, not just a walk-in…”

Randi Walton has over 10 years of hair artistry experience while hair artist Lianna Wyckoff has seven years. Elizabeth Daly joined the staff on February 2^nd. Since its October 9^th opening, clients have traveled from Peru, Plattsburgh, Keeseville and from as far away as Rouses Point, Willsboro and Potsdam. Walton said, “I didn’t expect the business to grow quite this quickly!”

Staff members are employees, not independent contractors as is the practice at many salons/ day spas. Walton explained, “I want all our employees to feel like they’re part of a team. We have to work together. I want clients to feel comfortable with any hair artist and know that they’ll get the same level of service.” Continuous technique and product training are a high priority.

Polished From Head to Toe offers an array of services for men, women and children including haircuts, makeup, coloring, straightening, manicures and pedicures. A spray tanning booth offers clients what Walton describes as a natural tanning experience. Massage therapy will be offered in the very near future.

Clients arriving early for an appointment enjoy an attractive lounge where they’ll find complimentary coffee, drinks and snacks. Walton said, “We have Rulf’s donuts on most days, but they disappear quickly.” Free Wi-Fi is also available.

Polished From Head to Toe is open from 9 am to 7 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11 am to 7 pm on Wednesdays, 9 am to 5 pm on Fridays and 8 am to 2 pm on Saturdays. It is closed Sunday and Mondays. Call 518-643-0999 to make an appointment. Click here for more Peru Gazette Photos. 

Source: Cuomo expands Zika virus testing – Capitol Confidential

[…] they plan to cut the use of canned goods in prison commissaries, thus denying troublemakers the use of sharp metal lids that can be turned into weapons. Another move: showing correctional officers a video dubbed Games Inmates Play” alerting them to efforts that prisoners may use to manipulate guards. Prison guard Gene Palmer was charged with two felonies for inadvertently helping the pair and a civilian employee, Joyce Mitchell, was convicted of helping Matt and Sweat. […] came a series of newspaper reports in The New York Times about mistreatment and beatings of prisoners, followed by a Times Union exposé of corruption and mismanagement in the prison system’s own internal affairs or Inspector General’s office.

Source: Lawmakers question prison security, safety – Times Union

PLATTSBURGH — There’s no place like home, especially your first.

Source: Clinton County approves grant to help first-time residential home buyers – Sun Community News & Printing

Plattsburgh, NY.  Are you ready to shake off cabin fever with the crisp taste of a locally grown apple, the purchase of an array of farm raised rutabagas and other root vegetables, or a sampling of delicious cheese, cider, and wine produced locally?

The Saturday, March 5 Food from the Farm event from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the Plattsburgh Recreation Center gymnasium on the US Oval in Plattsburgh, NY, is a celebration of local foods and North Country farmers, wine and cidermakers, food processors, and chefs.

This family-friendly event, organized by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Clinton County, Adirondack Harvest, and the Master Gardeners program features:

. .  tasting and sampling at dozen of booths, including tasting stations created by four chefs who highlight local products on the menus at Blue Collar Bistro, The Hungry Trout,  Latitude 44 Bistro, and the Pepper; Read more »

Peru Central’s Board of Education launches its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, February 9, 2016 at 6:00 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 6:00 PM start.  The school board is slated to reconvene for public session business at approximately 7:00 PM.  Anticipated topics include:

·         Budget Process Overview

·         Policy Review

·         Coaches

·         Appoint Personnel

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

All are welcome.

Buffalo’s Business First magazine computed the median classroom teacher pay for 451 Upstate New York school districts. Peru Central ranks 221^st overall and in the lower third of regional schools. Click here to view the entire Upstate  New York ranking 

A median is a midpoint, with half of the teachers in a given district being paid more than the median, and half being paid less.

 Rank – District – Median Pay

• 26 – AuSable Valley – $70,161
• 34 – Northern Adirondack – $68,719
• 61 – Plattsburgh – $64,568
• 73 – Keene – $63,623
• 78 – Beekmantown – $63,353
• 93 – Ticonderoga – $62,440
• 107 – NCCS – $61,516
• 126 – Saranac – $60,504
• 134 – Willsboro – $60,225
• 137 – Westport – $60,116
• 191 – Malone – $58,154
• 221 – Peru – $57,159
• 267 – Lake Placid – $55,234
• 340 – Chazy – $52,507
• 345 – Moriah – $52,283

Peru Gazette file photo

Admission charge change received Feb. 4, 2013 

On Saturday, February 6, 2016 the Section Seven Wrestling Duals will take place at Peru High School. This is the first time in 58 years that Section Seven has used this format. Each school will wrestle the other four schools. There will be five rounds of wrestling on two mats. The league champion will be crowned at this tournament. Admission is $ 5 for adults and school age children.

9:00 AM START TIME

BYE SCS

MAT 1

PCS VS AVCS

MAT 2

NAC VS BCS

10:30 AM START TIME ROUND 2

BYE NAC

MAT 1

PCS VS BCS

MAT 2

AVCS VS SCS

12:30 PM START TIME ROUND 3

BYE PCS

MAT 1

NAC VS SCS

MAT 2

AVCS VS BCS

2:00 START TIME ROUND 4

BYE BCS

MAT 1

PCS VS SCS

MAT 2

NAC VS AVCS

3:30 START TIME ROUND 5

BYE AVCS

MAT 1

PCS VS NAC

MAT 2

SCS VS BCS

The credit would cover half of their Thruway toll costs, and the Cuomo administration estimates more than 911,000 motorists would save $97 annually. If the toll credit is the solution, what exactly is the problem?” asked E.J. McMahon, president of the Empire Center, a fiscally conservative think tank. “The Thruway is a vital artery for commerce and transportation throughout Upstate, so we are going to deliver major toll relief to New Yorkers,” Cuomo said when he announced the plan. […] at the hearing, legislators were told that about half of the estimated 2 million property tax rebate checks going out to homeowners for this year have already been sent and state tax officials think they can finish sending the rest by the end of February. The checks are available for homeowners with incomes below $500,000 and cover the year-to-year increase by the given taxing district, as long as it remains within the state cap of 2 percent or the Consumer Price Index, whichever is lower.

Source: Property tax rebate checks should be all done this month – Times Union

But the Business Council of New York State says its top priority has yet to be addressed

Source: Biz group pleased, labor upset with Cuomo’s reforms to workers’ comp | Crain’s New York Business

Source: Air Force finds chemicals in groundwater near former Plattsburgh base | NCPR News

By John T. Ryan

Highlights of the Peru Town Board meeting of January 25, 2016 included: The possibility of more youth activities, highway department expenditures, Main Street planning, cell phones for department heads, high praise for a town employee, zoning and planning board leadership, dog identification and other matters.

Counselor Donald McBrayer reported that the Peru Youth Commission is considering participation in a Clinton County program directed at children who are not involved in the popular competitive sports. The program could include activities such as dancing, archery, soccer golf/foot golf, karate and pickle ball.

This winter’s changeable and warm weather has hampered youth commission efforts to activate a skating rink near Sullivan Park. A plastic barrier will have to be installed beneath the ice surface. The rink’s future largely depends on Mother Nature.

A highway department employee backed a truck into a highway garage door. The new door including installation will cost approximately $4,000. The loss will not be covered by insurance because it falls within a $5,000 deductible policy provision.

Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell indicated he plans to lease a Gradall excavator for five years annual lease price of $58,000. Counselor Jim Langley asked if he considered a used machine noting that Elmer Duprey had purchased a used machine and it had lasted about 17 years. No decision was made.

Mike Farrell did have a bit of good news. Asphalt prices purchased through the Clinton County contract have fallen from $54.20 a ton to $48.62.

Counselor Donald McBrayer reported that River Street Consulting representatives recently toured Main Street and Bear Swamp Roads. By mid to late February they should issue a report recommending upgrades to Peru’s main streets and business corridor. McBrayer said, “They will be incorporating our ideas and ideas they’ve seen work in other communities.” The Main Street Planning Committee will then consider the consultants’ recommendations and seek more community input. The consultants’ fee and approximately $150,000 in upgrades will be paid by a NYS grant.

The town will be purchasing cell phones for each department head. Currently department heads use their personal phones for town business for which they are reimbursed.  Supervisor Glushko said the current practice contradicts written town policy.

Counselor James Langley submitted an internal audit of Peru Town Court. Langley praised Court Clerk Holly Stone for her exceptional accuracy and organizational skills. He was impressed!

Zoning Board members chose Rob Bashaw as 2016 board chairman and Jim Falvo as vice-chairman. Planning Board members chose Richard Williams as chairman and Benjamin Wright as vice-chairman.

Town Clerk Kathleen Flynn will be furnishing a list of licensed dogs to the Elmore SPCA. On a few occasions the SCPA has detained dogs pending verification of an active license. Supervisor Peter Glushko urged residents to place a license and an owner identification tag on their dogs. Dog Control Officer David Drollette said he would return any identified dog to its owner rather than taking it to the SPCA. Dog owners must pay a boarding fee prior to redeeming a dog at the SPCA.

The town will not be plowing the road into Heyworth-Mason Park beyond the gate located about one-half way to the parking lot. In response to a question from resident Les Bradford, Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell said plowing would tear up the stone road. Supervisor Peter Glushko said anyone desiring to use the walking trail for cross-country skiing should park either at Little Ausable River Park or at Sullivan Park.

The 2016 salaries for the water and sewer superintendent and the assistant court clerk were incorrectly stated at the 2016 organizational meeting. The published salaries did not include the approved .5% pay raise. The board voted to correct this error retroactive to January 1, 2016.

Peru has the third highest assessed property values in Clinton County, behind the City and Town of Plattsburgh. Sales tax distributions to cities and towns are tied to assessed values.

The Peru Central School Board of Education will gather Tuesday, February 2^nd at 6 PM in the Jr/Sr High School Community Room for their first public session budget workshop.  At its budget workshop, the School Board is expected to:

• Receive a budget overview brief.

·         Examine a budget timeline.

·         Receive a general Executive Budget impact statement.

·         Examine forecasted 2016-2017 tax levy limit.

·         Define initial budget parameters.

The full agenda is available on the Peru CSD website at www.perucsd.org.

The meeting is open to all.

LAKE CHAMPLAIN — Efforts to control sea lamprey populations in Lake Champlain tributaries proved successful in 2015 and improved conditions for landlocked Atlantic Salmon and Lake Trout, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DE

Source: Sea lamprey control treatments announced for Lake Champlain