The Peru Gazette

Peru teen recovering from devastating accident – Press-Republican: Local News.

From the office of State Senator Betty Little

The New York State Senate today approved an eight-point women’s equality agenda, including two bills sponsored by Senator Betty Little. This is the first action on bills in the 2015 legislative session. All of the bills passed with unanimous support.

“With six months in the scheduled session, the state Assembly will have plenty of time to act on some, if not all, of the bills,” said Little. “These measures have been caught in a political dispute and have failed to win legislative approval despite widespread support. That should change this year.”

The goals of the comprehensive package of eight bills are to: stop human trafficking; ensure equal pay for equal work; combat sexual
harassment in the workplace; end gender discrimination in employment,housing and credit decisions; make reasonable work commodations available for pregnant women; and provide stronger protections for domestic violence victims.

Legislation (S.4) sponsored by Senator Betty Little (R-C-I, Queensbury) would help working mothers by preventing discrimination in the hiring and promotion of people with families. Employers would be prohibited from denying work or promotions based on family status, such as parents and women who are pregnant. Existing law only prohibits discrimination based on family status in credit and housing, but not employment — which can have a negative impact on women with children.

Senator Betty Little said, “State law protects against familial status discrimination for housing, but not employment. Changing the law would help protect some of our most deserving New Yorkers – single mothers with low incomes. I think we all agree that nothing is more important for our future than the upbringing of children. This law would send a clear message in support of that endeavor.”

A second bill (S.3) sponsored by Senator Betty Little (R-C-I, Queensbury) would remove barriers to remedying discrimination by allowing for reasonable attorney’s fees in employment and credit discrimination cases when sex is a basis of discrimination.

Under existing law, attorney’s fees for sex discrimination cases involving employment, Read more »

Story revised to reflect a 5:45 PM start time for the executive session. 

Peru Central’s Board of Education launches its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, January 13, 2015 at 5:45 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 5:45 PM start. The school board is slated to reconvene for public session business at approximately 7:00 PM. Anticipated topics include:

· Career Connect – Skills Initiatives and Business Partnerships
· Multi-Year Financial Plan
· Peru 2020

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

AGENDA TOWN BOARD REGULAR MEETING, January 12, 2015, 7:00 PM 

1. Call Meeting To Order

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Roll Call

4. MOTION: Approval of minutes for the Public Hearing of December 22 and Town Board Regular Meetings of December 22 and December 31, 2014.

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: Town Energy Provider. 

8. DISCUSSION: Highway 2005 Pickup Truck Disposition. 

9. DISCUSSION: Town Engineer Contract. 

10. DISCUSSION/MOTION: Schedule Board Workshop On Employee Handbook Update. 

11. DISCUSSION: Town Internal Audit. 

12. DISCUSSION: Town Hall Door Framing. 

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

14. Other Business.
15. Community Input on Agenda Items.

16. Motion to Adjourn.

 AGENDA TOWN BOARD ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING JANUARY 12, 2015 – 6:30 PM 

1. Call Meeting To Order

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Roll Call

4. DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Establishment of 2015 Salaries for Elected Positions:

5. DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Approval of 2015 Appointees

6. DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Establishment of 2015 Appointee Salaries and Frequency of Payments

7. DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Establishment of Town Department Liaisons

8. DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Establishment of 2015 Regular Town Board Meeting Dates and Times

9. DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Approval of 2015 Contracts

10. DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Establishment of 2015 Town Mileage Reimbursement

11. DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Designation of Town Depositories

12. DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Designation of Town Newspaper

13. DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Town Policies Update

          MOTION:                      Adjourn

Dear Friend,

Welcome to my new weekly e-newsletter to help keep you informed on what I am working on in Congress.

This week I had the honor of being sworn in as your Representative in Congress. This is incredibly humbling, and I want each of you to know that I will work my hardest on your behalf in Washington. In addition, I want to thank the over fifty North Country residents who were able to make the trip down to Washington for their support – it meant a lot to me for you to make that trip.

For too long our government has been broken and partisan politics have stood in the way of making real progress for the American people. As I said throughout the campaign, I will work with anyone of any party if they are willing to put solutions on the table that will help my constituents in New York’s North Country.

I want you to know that I hit the ground running this week on your behalf. In fact, the House passed several commonsense, bipartisan measures that would help create jobs and lower energy costs, help our veterans find jobs, and reduce the burden Obamacare is causing on our job creators and American workers. These measures include:

H.R. 22 – the Hire More Heroes Act — legislation that will help our nation’s bravest get back to work by exempting veterans who already have health insurance from being counted as full-time workers under Obamacare’s employer mandate.
H.R. 30 – the Save American Workers Act — commonsense legislation that changes the arbitrary definition of a full time worker under the Affordable Care Act from 30 hours to the traditional 40 hour week, allowing businesses to avoid onerous penalties and helping American workers make a decent living.
H.R. 3 – the Keystone XL Pipeline Act – bipartisan legislation that would approve TransCanada’s application to construct the pipeline, which will create as many as 42,000 new jobs, help lower energy prices for North Country families and help grow our economy. Read more »

Late bill payments alarm PSC – Times Union.

Watertown Daily Times | Milk glut reverses fortunes of NNY dairy farmers.

NY pays most for gas despite falling prices.

Taxing totals

Below is a breakdown of the gasoline taxes in New York, according to AAA, as of Jan. 1. The estimated sales tax would vary based on the pump price and county of sale.

NYS Excise Tax: 8 cents

NYS Petroleum Business Tax: 17.8 cents

NYS Fuel Quality Testing Tax: .05 cents

NYS Oil Spill Fund: .0196 cents

State Sales Tax: 8 cents

The Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District — including NYC and the Hudson Valley — surcharge: .75 cents

Local Sales Tax: 10.88 cents

Total State Taxes: 45.49 cents

Federal Taxes: 18.63 cents

Federal and State Tax Combined: 64.12 cents

Title: VFW Breakfast – Public Invited!
Location: VFW Post 309, 710 Route 22B, Peru
Description: 4th Sunday VFW & Ladies Auxiliary Breakfast- Jan 25, 2014
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Only $8.00 for:
Bacon, Scrambled eggs, Corned Beef Hash, Sausage Gravy & Biscuits, Pancakes with “real” Maple Syrup. Juice & Coffee.
Peru Memorial VFW & Ladies Auxiliary
710 Pleasant St, Rte 22B
Peru, NY 12972
Open to the Public
Start Time: 09:00
Date: 2015-01-25
End Time: 12:00

Story from the Office of Representative Elise Stefanik

Washington, D.C. – Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21) voted in support of House passage of H.R. 22 – the Hire More Heroes Act — and released the following statement:

“Far too many of our nation’s bravest remain unemployed,” said Rep. Stefanik. “This is unacceptable, as those who put their lives on the line to defend our freedom deserve the support of their government. That’s why, with my support, I was so happy to see the House unanimously pass the Hire More Heroes Act. This important legislation will help our nation’s bravest get back to work by exempting veterans who already have health insurance from being counted as full-time workers under Obamacare’s employer mandate. Business owners should be able to hire veterans without worrying about being slapped with an Obamacare penalty, and I urge the Senate to quickly send this bipartisan, commonsense legislation to the President’s desk.”

The Hire More Heroes Act passed the House unanimously on January 6th, 2014 by a vote of 412-0.

Stefanik’s brother Matt, Elise Stefanik, Stefanik’s father Ken Stefanik, House Speaker John Boehner, Stefanik’s mother Melaine Stefanik.

Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21) was officially sworn in to represent New York’s 21st district in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“I am thrilled and humbled by this opportunity to serve the wonderful people of New York’s 21st district,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “I pledge to be a strong voice for our community in Congress and to work my hardest to advance bipartisan solutions. Washington is broken and now is the time for leaders to work together on behalf of the American people. I am grateful for this incredible opportunity.”

TROY, NY – More than 1300 students at Hudson Valley Community College were recently named to the college’s Deans’ List for the Fall 2014 term. Students named to the Dean’s List have have a term grade point average between 3.0 to 3.49.

Those honored include:

Geoffrey Halevan of Peru, who is studying in the Respiratory Care academic program.

Kyle Kemp of Peru, who is studying in the Business Administration academic program.

Founded in 1953, Hudson Valley Community College offers 75 degree and certificate programs in four schools: Business; Engineering and Industrial Technologies; Health Science; and Liberal Arts and Sciences; and an Educational Opportunity Center for academic and career training. One of 30 community colleges in the State University of New York system, it has an enrollment of more than 12,000 students, and is known as a leader in distance learning initiatives and workforce training. Hudson Valley has more than 75,000 alumni.

POTSDAM, NY – The State University of New York at Potsdam recently named Molly Lawliss of Peru, NY to the SUNY Potsdam Dean’s List.

Lawliss, whose major is Childhood/Early Childhood Education, was among 391 students who were honored for academic excellence in the Fall 2014 semester.

To achieve the honor of being on the Dean’s List, each student must have satisfactorily completed 12 numerically-graded semester hours, with a grade point average of between 3.25 and 3.49 in the given semester.

SUNY Potsdam has a strong focus on academics, with its long history of excellence in the liberal arts and sciences. To find out more, visit http://www.potsdam.edu.

POTSDAM, NY Emily Allen of Peru, NY was recently named to the President’s List at The State University of New York at Potsdam.

Allen, whose major is Music Education, was among 925 SUNY Potsdam students who were honored for academic excellence in the Fall 2014 semester. College President Dr. Kristin G. Esterberg recognized the students for earning top marks.

To achieve the honor of being on the President’s List, each student must have satisfactorily completed 12 numerically-graded semester hours, with a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.

SUNY Potsdam has a strong focus on academics, with its long history of excellence in the liberal arts and sciences. To learn more about what makes the campus community so unique, visit http://www.potsdam.edu.

About SUNY Potsdam:

Founded in 1816, and located on the outskirts of the beautiful Adirondack Park, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America’s first 50 colleges. SUNY Potsdam currently enrolls approximately 4,350 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its handcrafted education, challenging liberal arts and sciences core, excellence in teacher training and leadership in the performing and visual arts.

POTSDAM, NY Emily Allen of Peru, NY was recently named to the President’s List at The State University of New York at Potsdam.

Allen, whose major is Music Education, was among 925 SUNY Potsdam students who were honored for academic excellence in the Fall 2014 semester. College President Dr. Kristin G. Esterberg recognized the students for earning top marks.

To achieve the honor of being on the President’s List, each student must have satisfactorily completed 12 numerically-graded semester hours, with a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.

SUNY Potsdam has a strong focus on academics, with its long history of excellence in the liberal arts and sciences. To learn more about what makes the campus community so unique, visit http://www.potsdam.edu.

About SUNY Potsdam:

Founded in 1816, and located on the outskirts of the beautiful Adirondack Park, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America’s first 50 colleges. SUNY Potsdam currently enrolls approximately 4,350 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its handcrafted education, challenging liberal arts and sciences core, excellence in teacher training and leadership in the performing and visual arts. To learn mor

Watertown Daily Times | Stefanik says she will support Boehner in first important House vote.

Sources: Chris Gibson Will Announce Retirement.

By John T. Ryan

The Peru Town Board conducted is final meeting of 2014 this morning (December 31^st) at 8 a.m. The Board approved several fund transfers; encumbered or reserved certain monies not expended in 2014 for 2015 and approved closing the Town Hall’s common area for public business at 1 p.m. every Tuesday. Supervisor Peter Glushko, Counselors Donald McBrayer and Jim Douglass were present. Counselors Kregg Bruno and Brandy McDonald were excused from the meeting.

The Board passed a resolution introduced by Supervisor Peter Glushko to close the Town Hall’s common area prior to and during Town Court sessions. The resolution cited safety concerns to the general public entering the building to transact business. Judge Kirby addressed the Board stating. “I want to go on record as being opposed to this action. It will not solve the problem.”  Supervisor Glushko stated that people involved in court proceedings would not be permitted to enter the Town Hall’s common area until 1 p.m. Judge Kirby will convene court at 2 p.m. Later in the meeting Judge Kirby inferred that he would prefer using the Town Hall’s lower level for court proceedings when he asked several questions relative to relocating the town historian’s downstairs office to the office currently occupied by Town Court. Counselors James Douglass and Donald McBrayer reiterated their reluctance to relocate the historian’s office.  Disrupting the JCEO office’s downstairs operations was mentioned as another concern. Counselor McBrayer, the Board’s Liaison to Town Court, said he viewed today’s action as a temporary solution and that he would be working with Judge Kirby and the Town Board to find a long-term solution to the issue. The Board did agree to reserve (encumber) $7,523 in unspent 2014 court monies for 2015 purchases of a computer server, filing cabinets, a shredder and a printer.

The Board approved several Highway Department fund transfers. $31,141 was transferred from the Town’s General Fund to the various Highway Department accounts and $66,731 was transferred between several Highway Department accounts. The transfers were related to higher than expected overtime costs during last winter’s hard winter, higher than expected paving costs and much higher salt and sand costs.

Town Historian Ron Allen requested that unexpended Town Historian monies be reserved or encumbered for repairs at the Town’s historic Rock Road School House. $5799.68 was encumbered. The work has been estimated to cost $7,600.

$4,220 was encumbered for the Youth Commission for the purchase of a new computer and clay for the athletic fields.

Code Enforcement Officer Frank Slycord told the Board, “Our office has had a very busy year. We issued 145 building permits, 25 new home permits and 14 Planning Board applications.” Slycord also stated that New York State is requiring that all Planning and Zoning Board members participate in four hours of annual training. If they do not have that training they cannot vote at board meetings. The training is available online and in Plattsburgh. Most Planning Board members have undergone the training while most Zoning Board members will have to attend if they want to continue as Board members. Slycord and Counselor Douglass both emphasized that board volunteers are appreciated and respected, but training is essential.

The Board scheduled its annual Organizational Meeting for January 12, 2015 at 6:30 p.m.

Supervisor Glushko stated he would be setting up a Memorandum of Understanding with the Elizabethtown SPCA for its dog shelter services.

The meeting adjourned at 9 a.m.

The Town of Peru has been awarded grants totaling $200,000 to be used to enhance its central area or core. $25,000 was awarded last summer and a $175,000 grant was announced at the Town Board’s December 22, 2014 meeting. The New York State Department of State awarded the grants through its Local Waterfront Revitalization Program.

The Town Board formed a Main Street Plan Committee last summer when the $25,000 grant was received. Grant Writer 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.” Councilman Donald McBrayer, Liaison to the committee stated, “The Board are not looking to take on an additional project that will cost us money. The money we spent in 2014 on the Town Hall’s entrance will be counted as the Town’s 20% share of the $175,000 grant.” Ideas have been sought from Main Street and Bear Swamp Road businesses. A consultant will be hired and the project scope will be planned in 2015. Implementation will take place in 2016.

It appears that the Peru Town Court will not be moving downstairs in the Town Hall or to Glenwood Plaza. The Board seems to be inclined to close the Town Hall to public business during court sessions. The Glenwood Plaza location needs extensive repairs and the cost of renovating the Town Hall’s downstairs area would be $10,000 or more. Councilman Donald McBrayer is extremely reluctant to disrupt Town Historian Ron Allen’s operations in the lower level. He explained, “I think the cost of moving the town historian upstairs would be too high.” Councilman Kregg Bruno said, “The taxpayers I’ve spoken to are not happy over having to spend money on this.” Supervisor Glushko said, “I favor shutting down the Town Hall at 1 p.m. so the court can convene at that time.”

Signing a 2015 dog shelter contract with Elmore SPCA remains in limbo. Elmore officials have not submitted a revised contract proposal. Supervisor Glushko said, “After Christmas we’ll be talking with the North Country SPCA in Elizabethtown about extending our contract. We will have a home for dogs no matter what.” Counselors Donald McBrayer and Jim Douglass said they would contact Elmore SPCA officials prior to the Board’s next meeting. All the Board members have expressed a desire to sign a contract with the local facility. Transporting dogs to Elizabethtown is costly and the boarding costs are higher than they would be in Peru.

The Board unanimously approved water and sewer rate increases effective January 1, 2015.

The Board approved several resolutions extending the water and sewer district boundaries adjacent to the Bear Swamp Road from the Dashnaw Road to I87.

Watertown Daily Times | State minimum wage to rise to $8.75 Wednesday.

The Peru Knights of Columbus will not conduct bingo on Tuesday, December 23rd because of Christmas week.  Bingo will resume on Tuesday, December 30th.  The Knights are grateful to the many people who support their weekly bingo, bell jar and concession programs and wish everyone a Blessed Christmas and Happy New Year!

Heroin warning videos at movies – Times Union.

School enrollment overall continues to decline – LakePlacidNews.com 

Regular Mtg Agenda 1222014