The Peru Gazette

But company officials say April 15 cutback plan is preemptive, and plant hopes to win OK on new contract next week.

Source: Prevost Cars files notice of potential layoffs – Press-Republican: News

Event at the Clinton County Fairgrounds Jan. 23, 24 is presented by Taylor Rental.

Source: East Coast Snocross coming to Plattsburgh – Press-Republican: Local News

The Tuesday, December 19th Community Education Zumba Dance Class, originally set for 6-7 PM in the Peru Elementary building, has been cancelled.

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 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.

By John T. Ryan

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.

Read more »

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 »

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