The Peru Gazette

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

Democratic Party Town of Peru

Officers; Chairman- Brandy McDonald

Vice Chairman – Kregg Bruno

Treasurer- Jean Schiffler 

·       Due to conflict in my schedule the meeting that had been scheduled for January 28th has been cancelled.

·       The next meeting will be held on February 25th, 2016 at 7;00 pm, the location will Peru Town hall 

The response to raffle ticket sales has been doing well, please turn in money for tickets sold to Jean Schiffler.

Contact with me regarding Democratic Party should be sent to:  brandyl2008@yahoo.com  

Your support is appreciated and I look forward to seeing you at the February 25^th, meeting. 

Brandy McDonald

Chairman

Columbia Care site at 345 Cornelia St. is now accepting state-registered patients.

Source: Plattsburgh medical-marijuana dispensary opens – Press-Republican: Local News

Local developers have acquired former Lakeside Apartments property, plan to start demolition soon.

Source: Commons at Plattsburgh Bay project progressing – Press-Republican: Local News

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 »

Source: N.Y. Senate report shows surge in synethic marijuana abuse – The Pulse

By Ed Schiffler

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.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOt1KfLbyiI

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 29^th to 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM, and Saturday January 30^th from 9:00 AM- Noon.  Please direct any questions to Kathleen Flynn at 643-2745 ext.#2.

Source: Stefanik moves confidently in first year, but questions linger | NCPR News

Thursday, January 28, 2016, will mark the 6^th 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!

Participating restaurants include: Read more »

According to an editorial in today’s Press Republican all SUNY Plattsburgh incoming freshman and transfer students receive a text connecting them to this welcome video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFgGq_ofuuI&feature=youtu.be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFgGq_ofuuI&feature=youtu.be

DRAFT AGENDA TOWN BOARD REGULAR MEETING January 25@ 7:00 PM 

1. Call Meeting To Order

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Roll Call

4. MOTION: Approval of Minutes for the January 11, 2016 Town Organizational Meeting and for the Minutes of the January 11, 2016 Regular Board Meeting.

5. Community Input

6. DISCUSSION/MOTION: Acceptance of December 2015 Dog Control Officer Report. 

7. DISCUSSION: Town Health Insurance Policy. 

Read more »

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 20^th 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 100^th 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.

State of the Library Report 2016

By John T. Ryan

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.