The Peru Gazette

Washington, D.C.–Yesterday Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21) announced that Brigadier General Diana Holland would be her honorary guest to the President’s State of the Union Address on Tuesday, January 12^th. Brigadier General Holland served as the 10th Mountain Division’s deputy commanding general for support. She was the first female general officer at Fort Drum and the first woman to serve as a deputy commanding general in one of the Army’s light infantry divisions.

“I am privileged to announce that my special guest to the President’s State of the Union address this year will be Brigadier General Diana Holland,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “Brigadier General Holland has served with distinction at Fort Drum and has now moved to a well-deserved appointment at West Point. I know Brigadier General Holland from my work on behalf of Fort Drum, most recently during a CODEL to Afghanistan and I am pleased that she will be able to join me in the House Chamber for this historic occasion.”

Brigadier General Holland is currently serving as the first female commandant of cadets at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York. BG Holland assumed command as the 76th commandant of cadets during a ceremony at West Point on January 5.

2016 REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING SCHEDULE 

Monday                                  January 11, 2016                                7:00 PM

Monday                                  January 25, 2016                                7:00 PM

Monday                                  February 8, 2016                                7:00 PM

Monday                                  February 22, 2016                              7:00 PM

Monday                                  March 14, 2016                                  7:00 PM

Monday                                  March 28, 2016                                  7:00 PM Read more »

Source: Bharara: Not enough evidence to bring charges after Moreland Commission shutdown – Capitol Confidential

Peru – St. Augustine’s Knights of Columbus Council 7273 will host a spaghetti dinner on Saturday, January 16, 2016 at the St. Augustine’s Parish Center. “ALL YOU CAN EAT” spaghetti, salad, Italian bread and a delicious dessert will be served from 4:30 to 6:30 PM for only $7.50 per person, $2.50 for children 6 to 12, free for children 5 and under and a $20 per family maximum (parents and children). Take-outs are available. The dinner’s profits will assist the Peru Council’s many local charities and programs.

The Peru wrestling team finished second in the 47th annual tournament.

Click link for Press republican story  John Jay defends Peru Invitational title – Press-Republican: Sports

Click here for Peru Gazette Saturday night Final Photos 

1. Call Meeting To Order

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Roll Call

4. MOTION: Approval of Minutes for the Town Board Regular Meeting of December 21, 2015.

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: NYSDOT/Town of Peru Shared Services. 

8. DISCUSSION: Town Winter No Parking Ordinance. 

9. DISCUSSION: Highway Salt Storage Shed. 

10. DISCUSSION: Highway Employees’ Union Representation. 

11. DISCUSSION: Apple Valley Senior Housing Sand/Salt Request. 

12. DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Town Fund Transfers. 

13. DISCUSSION: Historical Grant Application Support Letter. 

14. DISCUSSION: Tax Freeze Rebate Checks. 

15. DISCUSSION: Association of Towns 2015 Training School & Annual Meeting.

16. DISCUSSION: Town Cell Phone Policy. 

17. DISCUSSION: Jabez Allen Road Speed Limit. 

18. Other Business.
19. Community Input on Agenda Items.

20. Motion to Adjourn.

AGENDA TOWN BOARD ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING, JANUARY 11, 2016 – 6:30 PM 

1. Call Meeting To Order

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Roll Call

4. DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Establishment of 2016 Salaries for Elected Positions:

5. DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Approval of 2016 Appointees.

6. DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Establishment of 2016 Appointee Salaries and Frequency of Payments.

7. DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Establishment of Town Department Liaisons.

8. DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Establishment of 2016 Regular Town Board Meeting Dates and Times.

9. DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Approval of 2016 Contracts.

10. DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Establishment of 2016 Town Mileage Reimbursement.

11. DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Designation of Town Depositories.

12. DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Designation of Town Newspaper.

13. DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: 2016 Town Board Meeting Rules of Order. 

14. DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Town Procurement Policy Update.

          MOTION:                      Adjourn

Click here for story – UVM Health Network – CVPH-Home

The Peru Gazette was present when John Stafford acted as an Honor Flight Escort. 

The 47th Peru Invitational Wrestling Classic is taking place on January 8th and 9th at the Peru High School Gymnasium. This year’s tournament is dedicated to Stan Riggs and Bill Kivett, both of whom passed away in 2015. Stan and Bill started the Invitational in the 1969-70 season. Stan coached the Indians from 1964 to 1984 compiling a 245-5-1 record. Bill Kivett was a prominent community member and tournament director for over 25 years. Sixteen Upstate New York and Vermont schools are participating in this weekend’s tournament. Click here to see more Peru Gazette photos

Peru Central’s Board of Education launches its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, January 12, 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:

·         Multi-Year Financial Plan

·         ADK P-TECH

·         Building Conditions Survey & Capital Project Updates

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

By John T. Ryan

Peru – By the end of 2017, Peru’s primary artery should have a better appearance and physical upgrades thanks to a resolution passed at the Peru Town Board’s December 21, 2015 meeting. The Board approved a $49,000 consulting contract with River Street Planning and Development to review Main Street and its environs, dialogue with local businesses and residents and recommend improvements. The consultant’s cost and up to $150,000 in Main Street improvements will be financed by a NYS Department of State Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Grant The town has already satisfied matching fund requirements thanks to the 2014 upgrades to the Town Hall entrance and nearby sidewalks.

The Town Board formed a Main Street Plan Committee in the summer of 2014 when a $25,000 grant was received. Grant Writer and Committee Chair Adele Douglas explained, “The idea started as a means of improving the Sullivan Park and Heyworth/Mason ends of the Walking Trail. Improving sidewalks and installing bike paths have been mentioned as possible projects.” Ideas were sought from Main Street and Bear Swamp Road businesses; however, the grant required hiring a consultant delaying any forward movement. Now that a consultant has been hired, more ideas will be sought and the committee’s work will continue.

By John T. Ryan

Peru – Town of Peru Highway Department personnel have informed the Town Board that they would like to be represented by the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA). Peru Town Supervisor Peter Glushko informed the Town Board at its December 23, 2015 meeting that a notification has been received from the department’s employees. The town has 30 days to either recognize the union or call for a formal employee vote. The department has seven non-management employees.

Rob Wright, a Highway Department foreman, cited pay as one of the primary reasons employees are asking for union representation saying, “Eight or nine years ago Greg Timmons pushed for and got a $1 an hour raise for his men in the Water and Sewer Department. Up until then highway and water and sewer got the same pay. Today we have to work 120 to 150 hours of overtime to catch them.” Wright also cited increased health insurance costs and the small 2016 pay raise granted to town employees. He stated, “Health insurance went up $100 a month for some employees and we got a .5% raise. It’s time. The guys are fed up with some of the things that have been going on.” Wright stated that CSEA already represents employees in Saranac, Plattsburgh, Schuyler Falls and most of the larger towns.

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York lawmakers on Wednesday kicked off their 2016 session, which is expected to be dominated by debates over government corruption, education funding and Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposal to gradually raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour. While the Senate’s Republican majority will be an obstacle, Heastie told The Associated Press that he’s optimistic about the chances of passing Cuomo’s proposal. New York Republican Party Chairman Ed Cox criticized tax cuts Cuomo proposed for small businesses as “window dressing” to offset concerns about raising wages to what would be double the level in Pennsylvania. Flanagan wants to end the state policy of taking back some school aid to balance the budget, a practice that hits suburban districts the hardest. The state’s teachers union and public education advocates are calling for $2.4 billion in new funds. Sen. Andrea Stewart Cousins, who leads that chamber’s Democratic minority, said it’s time for “a restart” for the Legislature after former Republican Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos and former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver were convicted of trading their influence for personal financial gain. Sen. Jeff Klein, head of the five-member Independent Democratic Conference, listed priorities including bans on synthetic marijuana, funding after-school programs for 1.2 million children and enacting 12-week paid family leave to help New Yorkers stay employed while caring for a loved one. Brian Kolb, leader of the Assembly’s Republicans, said the state needs to do more to fight heroin addiction, which he said is ravaging both rural and urban parts of the state.

Source: NY lawmakers convene: $15 wage, schools, ethics top agenda – Times Union

Cuomo, Heastie, Flanagan promise action on deal that fell through

Source: Lawmakers promise, again, to seize felons’ pensions | POLITICO

http://www.perutown.com/zoning-agenda.pdf

http://www.perutown.com/planning-agenda.pdf

Engineer also talks about shared services and tow-plows.

Source: Essex Co. questions DOT salt use – Press-Republican: Local News

Source: IG: State worker stole then sold agency laptops – Capitol Confidential

By John T. Ryan

Peru Free Library visitors can still enjoy the beautiful pottery and artwork that has been on display since November. Fifteen members of the North Country Potters’ Guild created the functional and abstract pottery and artwork. Librarian Becky Pace said, “This has been one of our most successful events. There’s been a great deal of interest in the beautiful items on display. They’ll be here until the end of January.” The works include earthenware terra cotta clay, several types of stoneware and porcelain with several types of alternative firings and paintings by Judith Corigliano, a retired Peru Central School art teacher. The Peru Free Library receives a percentage of the sale proceeds.

The library hours are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Friday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Call 643-8618 for more information.

Eighty five percent of male smallmouth bass and 27 percent of male largemouth bass tested in waters in or near 19 National Wildlife Refuges in the Northeast U.S. were intersex, according to a new study by U.S. Geological Survey and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service researchers published in Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety.

Source: Sex Switching Bass Found in Lake Champlain Waters

Cornell Cooperative Extension Clinton County will be hosting a beginning farmer series for those who are new to farming or would like to diversify their operation. The classes will be conducted at 6064 Route 22 Suite 5, Plattsburgh, NY 12901.

Introduction to Business Planning from 7 to 9 p.m. Jan. 28, Introduction to Livestock Production from 7 to 9 p.m. Feb. 2, Introduction to Maple Production from 7 to 9 p.m. Feb. 4, Introduction to Small Berries and Vegetables from 7 to 9 p.m. Feb. 9, Introduction to Soil Health and Maintenance from 7 to 9 p.m Feb. 25, Introduction to Poultry Production from 7 to 9 p.m. March 3

If you would like to attend any or all of these classes, registration and more information can be found at https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/BeginningFarmerSeries_209.

The Peru, NY Knights of Columbus Tuesday Bingo scheduled this evening, Tuesday, December 29th, is cancelled due to the storm.

” The Knights thank our bingo players for their support in 2015. We look forward to serving you in 2016 and wish you a Happy New Year! Please drive carefully!”

Thursday, December 24 Christmas Eve – 4:30 (children’s mass) and 8:00 p.m. masses

Friday, December 25 Christmas Day – 9:30 a.m. mass

All are welcome!

All are welcome!

December 24, 2015 – Story updated to include video of almost all the songs sung at the concert. 

St. Augustine’s Church was filled to capacity Sunday evening, December 20, 2015 as the the Keeseville-Peru Ecumenical Choir performed its 50th Anniversary Christmas Concert. St. John the Baptist Church in Keeseville was also standing room only for Saturday’s concern. The choir is directed Jeanette Woodruff, Steven Collier is the concert accompanist and Stephen Woodruff is the organist. Choir members reside in Peru, Keeseville and several neighboring communities.

Click here to hear and see choir’s opening song O Come, All Ye Faithful. 

Click here for the Choir’s performance of We Three Kings. 

Click here for the Choir’s performance of O Holy Night. 

Click here for Hail Holy Queen from the music comedy Sister Act and the brass playing Jesus, Oh What a Wonderful Child

Click here for Hallelujah Chorus from “The Messiah” (Please excuse the obstructed video. When the audience stood, our vantage point was lost) 

Click here for the beautiful Prayer of the Children 

Click here for This Christmastide 

Click here for A Carol Fantasy

Click here for How Great Our Joy 

Click here for Christmas Lullaby 

Click here for What Star is This 

Click here for Christmas Time is Here 

Click here for The Birthday of a King 

L-R Supervisor Peter Glushko, Counselor Kregg Bruno

Resolution #15.12.21-2

A RESOLUTION HONORING THE SERVICE AS TOWN COUNCILMAN of MR. KREGG BRUNO to THE TOWN OF PERU, NEW YORK.

Motion By: MR. GLUSHKO

WHEREAS, Mr Kregg Bruno has served the Town of Peru faithfully and ably as Town Councilman from December 2009 through December 2015 AND,

WHEREAS, during his years of service, Mr. Bruno provided valuable contributions to the town board’s efforts which included: the completion of the Little Ausable River walking trail, the preparation of the Little Ausable River Park for everyday use, the extensive and badly needed upgrade of the Town’s Water Purification System, the recovery efforts of the aftermath of Hurricane Irene, the completion of two Safe Routes to Schools projects, enhancing the safety of our pedestrian school children, the repair of Holden Avenue, and the sponsorship of the grant for South Acres Park, saving affordable housing for more than eighty families, AND,

Whereas, he helped bring about the much needed clarification and simplification of town finances, providing accuracy in town financial records. He effectively served as town board liaison to Town Departments to include: zoning, Town Court, highway, water/sewer, youth program and dog control. He was part of a board that kept town taxes very low, even before Albany developed a tax cap policy in 2012. NOW

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town board of Peru does hereby officially thank Mr. Bruno for his tireless efforts as a Town Councilman and we take this opportunity to officially recognize his work for the good of the residents of the Town of Peru.

Motion By:       PETER GLUSHKO

Seconded by: Mr. James Douglass & Mr. Donald McBrayer

Roll Call:

Kregg Bruno

James Douglass

Peter Glushko

Donald McBrayer

Resolution Passed:

I hereby certify, that the foregoing is a true copy of a resolution acted upon by the Peru Town Board in regular session on this date of DECEMBER 21, 2015

PETER GLUSHKO, TOWN SUPERVISOR, Kathleen Flynn, Town Clerk