The editor is John Ryan at email: perugazette@gmail.com. The Peru Gazette is a free community, education and information website. It is non-commercial and does not accept paid advertising.
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PLATTSBURGH, NY – The Strand Center for the Arts is currently accepting artist applications for their Off-Site Gallery Program. There are currently eight Off-Site Gallery locations that feature local artists booked through the Strand Center: Best Western Plus the Inn at Smithfield, Valcour Imaging, The Development Corp, Clinton Community College, Eye Care for the Adirondacks, The UVM Health Network at CVPH (on both the first and second floor) and the Plattsburgh Public Library.
The Off-Site Gallery Program is offered as a service to area businesses in an effort to diversify the visual environment of their offices and give local artists a different level of exposure than a typical gallery audience. Galleries are rotated on a quarterly basis, so businesses and their clients enjoy a different collection of artwork every three months.
Artists can apply for either a half show (12 pieces) or a full show (24 pieces) of two dimensional artwork and artists of all mediums are welcome. Read more »
Long time Clinton County Senior Computer Club member John Gillen, who now lives in Pennsylvania, sent me this interesting link to the “Graves Mansion”, AuSable Forks, NY. The construction of this mansion is an interesting story and the wood work in the interior is nothing less than amazing and unbelievable. The quality and design is unsurpassed. It takes about two hours to view the video; however it can be broken down into smaller sessions by using the scroll bar at the bottom of the screen. Just remember the amount of minutes viewed and set the time at that spot the next time you log on. I’ve watched it for about thirty minutes at this time and I’m excited to get back to it. It is a very well narrated with historical information about the Mansion.
The Clinton County Senior Computer Club will meet on Monday February 1st, 2016 1:30PM at the Senior Center. The presentation will deal with “Genealogy”. The presenter, Jean Schiffler will discuss and demonstrate using the internet to do research using Ancestory.Com and Family Search .Com. There is a great deal of family information available at these sites, it’s just matter of knowing the way to navigate around to get the information one needs. Jean, will also do an overview presentation on “Family Tree Maker” which is a user friendly program that one can use to save family information to your computer.
All seniors are always welcome to attend our meetings. Our meetings and classes are held at the Senior Citizens Center, 5139 North Catherine Street, Plattsburgh, NY 12901
The Town of Peru Tax Collection Office will be extending the hours of operation on Friday January 29th to 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM, and Saturday January 30th from 9:00 AM- Noon. Please direct any questions to Kathleen Flynn at 643-2745 ext.#2.
Thursday, January 28, 2016, will mark the 6th Annual Dine United for the Adirondack Region. There will be a wide variety of restaurants throughout Clinton, Essex and Franklin Counties participating.
Every patron that visits a participating restaurant on January 28, 2016 will be giving back to our region, as well as supporting local restaurants. Each restaurant has agreed to donate to United Way of the Adirondack Region, Inc. “With their donations and our 42 partner agencies, we will be able to help fellow residents with critical needs such as food, clothing, shelter, child care, safety from domestic violence, and much more”, stated the Executive Director/CEO, John Bernardi, of United Way of the Adirondack Region, Inc.
The Director of Development, Kathy Snow, suggested starting your day with a breakfast treat and then visiting one of your neighborhood restaurants for lunch. Finally, go home and grab the family for a delicious dinner at any of the participating restaurants. Mention to the restaurants that you are there for DINE UNITED and enter the drawing for raffle prizes. It is a day to have fun and give back to the community!
L-R Pat Andrews, Rocky Divoll, Becky Pace, Tracy Orkin, Kara McBrayer, Sandy Divoll
L-R Kara McBrayer, Sandy Divoll, Holly Heller-Ross, Diane Haight
By John T. Ryan
The Peru Free Library Board of Trustees chose Diane Haight as a new member and elected its 2016 officers at its Wednesday, January 20th meeting. Board Vice-President Kara McBrayer, who chaired the meeting, submitted her resignation after serving on the board for six years.
Holly Heller-Ross was elected as 2016 board president, Sandra Divoll was reelected as treasurer and Merry Gwynn was elected vice-president. Diane Haight was elected secretary. The other board members are Tracy Orkin, Patrick Andrews and Rocky Divoll. Kara McBrayer said more community members are welcome to serve on the board. New ideas and assistance are always welcome.
Librarian Becky Pace’s State of the Library Report noted that 2015 was the library’s centenary year. Highlights included front room renovations, the gift of a Schonbek chandelier, new all-in-one computers and adoption of a contemporary library logo. The logo symbolizes the library’s progressive energy conservation initiatives. Other notable changes included introduction of an electronic newsletter and the employment of Stacey Bousquet as assistant librarian. Numerous events were held in celebration of the library’s 100th anniversary including art exhibits, children’s programs and a memorial concert.
Becky Pace ended her report stating, “Our library has never been as healthy or as well used as it is today. Our children’s room is busy with preschoolers and their moms and dads. Homeschool families visit on a weekly basis. Our computers are frequented by young adults retraining through on-live courses to advance their careers.” She also stated that the library is being used for tutoring sessions on an almost daily basis and that its circulation is one of the highest in the three-county area. Her complete report appears below.
As of 8:45 a.m. on Thursday, January 21, 2016, the American Flag was once again flying high on the Peru Free Library flagpole. Town Councilman/Town Board Liaison Donald McBrayer and 23-year U.S. Navy Veteran David Drollette braved cold temperatures this morning to raise the flag following last evening’s Peru Free Library Board of Trustees decision to fly the flag on the flagpole.
Several years ago the flag was flown; however, the practice was discontinued after a series of flag thefts in the area. Dave Drollette, Rich Tarabula and Rocky Divoll have volunteered to raise and lower the flag each morning and evening until a night-time spotlight illuminates the flag.
Story edited at 1/21/16 at 12:48 p.m. to include the names of Rich Tarabula and Rocky Divoll.
From the Office of the Peru Central School Superintendent
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 11th, Thursday, February 25th, and Tuesday, March 15th. In addition to these informational sessions, the BAC will be invited to share their recommendations with the School Board on Tuesday, March 22nd 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.
Peru – On Wednesday, January 6, 2016 one of the area’s longest-operating businesses was passed on to new ownership. New owner-operator Chris Akey said, “The Peru Farm Center is a 65-year old local business that we want to continue through the 100-year mark. We are very excited to be joining the Peru business community.” Akey purchased the business from longtime owners Mark Jarvis and Don McNulty.
The Akey family is known for its many business interests along Route 3 in Plattsburgh. At one time, Chris Akey’s late grandfather, Frank Akey, operated a Case farm equipment dealership competing with the Peru Farm Center. Today Chris Akey operates the Taylor Rental stores on Route 3 and in Saranac Lake. The building Anthony’s Restaurant occupies was once the Akey family farmhouse and location for Frank Akey’s farm equipment dealership.
Chris Akey, his wife Ashley and their two children live in the Peru School District. Ashley will be the Peru Farm Center’s bookkeeper and Chris’ brother-in-law Jordon Keleher will be the general manager. Four to six new employees are to be hired.
Anyone stopping by the Peru Farm Center will get a taste of the changes to come. This morning the building’s interior and roof were in the midst of renovations. New Holland hay, forage and industrial equipment such as skid steers, mini excavators and compact wheel loaders will soon be on display in an elevated display area adjacent to Route 22. The Husqvarna power equipment lineup will be expanded and Ferris Zero Turn mowers will be introduced to the North Country. The redesigned interior display room will be stocked with a large inventory of consumer hardware and power equipment.
A grand opening is being planned once renovations are completed and the expanded inventory is in place.
The Town of Peru, Town Board has scheduled a workshop for Thursday, January 21, 2016 at 6:30 PM. The purpose of the workshop is to discuss town employee cell phone policy, and employee insurance.
Peru Gazette Note: All workshops are open to the public and are conducted at the Peru Town Hall.
A few days ago Town of Peru property owners started receiving tax freeze ‘rebate’ rebate checks which range from $100 to $200 and higher thanks to the Town of Peru and the Peru School District staying under the state-imposed tax cap. The school district also had to submit a plan detailing how it would shrink property tax collections by 1%.
A person must have applied for the School Tax Relief Program (STAR) and be a property owner in order to qualify. Renters do not qualify. If you’re unsure if you qualify or if you have not received a rebate check State Senator Betty Little has published a number for you to call at the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance – 518-453-8146.
James Langley, former Chairman of the Clinton County Legislature, took his seat as a Town of Peru Councilman at the Monday, January 11, 2016 Town Board meeting.
The Monday, January 11, 2016 Town of Peru Organizational Meeting included approval of the 2016 Town Board Rules of Order.
TOWN OF PERU
JANUARY 11, 2016
2016 RULES OF ORDER
Pursuant to Section 63 of the Town Law.
RESOLVED, that the Rules of Order of the Town Board of the Town of Peru for the year 2015 shall be as follows:
RULES OF ORDER
OF THE
TOWN OF PERU TOWN BOARD
The Town Supervisor shall chair all meetings. If the Town Supervisor is not present then the Deputy Supervisor or Chairperson pro tem shall chair the meeting as outlined in Rule 6.1 below.
RULE 1.REGULAR MEETINGS
1.1 Regular meetings shall commence at 7:00 p.m. on the second and fourth Mondays of each month except where specifically changed by the Town Board.
RULE 2.SPECIAL MEETINGS
2.1 Special meetings hall be at the call of the Town Clerk upon the direction of the Town Supervisor provided that upon convening, a majority of the members of the Board pass a resolution ratifying such call, or upon written request signed by Board members representing a majority of the Town Board.
2.2 Only business specified in the notice may be transacted at a special meeting. Read more »
The Monday, January 11, 2016 included adoption of the town’s 2016 procurement policy. The policy includes criteria when prices from more than one vendor are required and when formal bids are required.
TOWN OF PERU
2016 PROCUREMENT POLICY
ADOPTED: 1.11.2016
WHEREAS, Section 104b of the General Municipal Law requires every town to adopt internal policies and procedures governing all procurement of goods and services not subject to the bidding requirements of the General Municipal Law or any other law; and
WHEREAS, comments have been solicited from those officers of the Town involved with procurement;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Town of Peru does hereby adopt the following procurement policies and procedures:
Section 1. Every prospective purchase of goods or services shall be evaluated to determine the applicability of General Municipal Law. Every town officer, department head or other personnel with the requisite purchasing authority (hereinafter Purchaser) shall estimate the cumulative amount of the items of supply or equipment needed in a given fiscal year. That estimate shall include the canvass of other town departments and past history to determine the likely yearly value of the commodity to be acquired. The information gathered and conclusions reached shall be documented and kept with the file or other documentation supporting the purchase activity.
Section 2. All purchases of (a) supplies or equipment which exceed $20,000.00, in the fiscal year, or (b) public works contracts over $35,000.00 shall be formally bid pursuant to General Municipal Law Section 103.
Section 3. All estimated purchases of:
Greater than $10,000.00 but no more than $20,000.00 requires a written or faxed quote from three (3) vendors.
Greater than $1,000.00 but no more than 10,000.00 requires a written or faxed quote from two (2) vendors.
Any amount up to $1,000.00 is left to the discretion of the Purchaser.
These are the approved resolutions at the Monday, January 11, 2016 Town of Peru Organizational Meeting involving: salaries, appointees, department liaisons, meeting dates, approved annual contract information, mileage rates, official depository, and official newspaper.
Resolution #1
Resolution Establishing 2016 SALARY AND PAYMENT OF ELECTED OFFICIALS
BE IT RESOLVED that 2016 salaries for Town of Peru Elected Officials be set as follows:
Town Council Members $7,299.00 /Annually, Paid Monthly
Town Supervisor $23,805.00/Annually, Paid Monthly
Town Clerk/Tax Collector $23,930.00/Annually, Paid Monthly
Town Justices $18,292.00/Annually, Paid Monthly
Highway Superintendent $55,275.00/Annually, Paid Bi-weekly Read more »
