The Peru Gazette

Peru Gazette File Photo

Source: Audio portrait for century-old library – Press-Republican: News

Retired Army colonel from Peru exploring run against incumbent Republican Elise Stefanik in the 21st District race next year.

Source: Democratic challenger for Congress may emerge – Press-Republican: Local News

Group appealing for public to help; first flight of 2015 set to depart May 16

Source: Honor Flight seeking World War II vets – Press-Republican: Local News

Empire State Development (ESD) today announced that up to $12 million in Market NY grants, to fund projects that will increase tourism and create job opportunities, are available to businesses, municipalities, not-for-profits and other entities through Round V of Governor Cuomo’s Regional Economic Development Council initiative. This latest round of Market NY grants, which includes capital grants for tourism facilities, will be awarded to tourism and marketing projects that advance each region’s strategic plan and will help to boost tourism in the region and New York State. Read more »

AGENDA PLANNING BOARD WEDNESDAY, May 13, 2015 @ 7:00 PM TOWN OF PERU 1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. ROLL CALL 4. APPROVAL of March 11th, 2015 minutes. 5. OPEN FLOOR to public hearing 6. APPLICATIONS: 1. Site Plan Review: Thomas Caron Site Plan Review for Auto (cycle) Repair Shop 852 Fuller Rd. P-2015-003 2. SEQR & 2 Lot Minor Subdivision: Rhonda Dergham 2 Lot Minor Subdivision 48 Cook Rd. P-2015-004 3. SEQR & 4 Lot Minor Subdivision/Remaining lands: Jeremy Deyo 4 Lot Minor Subdivision/Remaining lands Sullivan Rd. P-2015-005 4. SEQR & 2 Lot Minor Subdivision: David Rock 2 Lot Minor Subdivision 633 Union Rd. P-2015-006

Was injured in accident in South Carolina.

Source: Former Peru coach Stan Riggs dies – Press-Republican: Local News

From the office of State Senator Betty Little

The State Senate today approved legislation sponsored by Senator Betty Little that would authorize towns to set speed limits within their jurisdictions. Villages, cities and towns with large populations can do so on their own, but most towns must petition the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) for approval. “The goal is create a uniform policy and eliminate what is currently an unfunded mandate,” said Little, who has sponsored the bill for numerous years.

The bill (S.1216) would amend section 1622 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law to authorize towns to establish maximum speed limits on all town highways that are functionally classified as “local roads. Speed limits would be less than the 55 miles per hour statutory maximum speed limit.

Towns that elect to set maximum speed limits would need to do so in accordance with engineering specifications. Speed limit changes would require certification by a licensed professional engineer specializing in traffic operations. Town boards not wanting to set speed limits could elect for the DOT to maintain jurisdiction to set maximum speed limits on town roads.

The legislation, which passed the Senate by unanimous vote, is supported by AARP.

Peru Central’s Board of Education launches its regular monthly meeting and annual budget hearing on Tuesday, May 12, 2015 at 6 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 PM start. The school board is slated to reconvene for public session business at approximately 7:00 PM. Anticipated topics include:

· Public Hearing on the Annual Budget Vote
· Public Hearing on the District’s Code of Conduct
· Various Request for Proposal Items
· Capital Project Schedule
The full agenda is available at www.perucsd.org
All are welcome.

Regular Mtg Agenda 11May15

Source: Capitol Confidential » Schneiderman: Want to reduce ethics prosecutions? Aim for real reform

After fighting a fire, volunteer firefighters have to prepare for their next call. This was the scene at the Peru Fire Station last night after the 579 Fuller Road fire. “THANK YOU” DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS!

This was the scene at 579 Fuller Rd. Monday after a late afternoon fire destroyed a 12-stall, two-story barn owned by Clement and Kelly Bell. Nine pigs and 5 hens perished in the blaze. Three cars/trucks, a 4-wheeler and a snowmobile were also destroyed. The Peru Volunteer Fire Department was successful in saving the nearby house and garage. (Click here to view more Peru Gazette Photos) 

In concert with the Peru Elementary School’s continuing efforts to support health and wellness among students, the school held its fourth annual health fair for kindergarten through 2nd grade on Friday, May 2nd. Students had the opportunity to rotate through seven stations on varying health topics including hand washing, dental hygiene, dance fitness, bike safety, healthy snacks, summer safety, and martial arts skills.

It is the school’s hope by educating our youth on health and wellness choices with real-world settings and local resources that students will continue to make positive choices promoting proper nutrition, exercise, and dental care.

The Peru Gazette is grateful to Jim Neyenhouse for his great photos. To see these and more photos click here. 

L-R Eliza Young, Kristin Hanson, Olivia Bell and Alexis Hanson

L-R Alexis Hanson, Olivia Bell and Eliza Young (kneeling)

Peru – Alexis Hanson celebrated her 8th birthday on April 26, 2015, just four days after Earth Day, a day of worldwide support for the earth’s environment.  When her mom Kristin asked her what she’d like for a party Alexis responded, “I’d like to do something for Earth Day.” What better way to do support Earth Day than to help plant trees at today’s “Trees Along the Walking Trail” event. This morning Alexis, her mom Kristin and her friends Eliza Young and Olivia Bell worked with the other volunteers to plant 250 trees to help beautify the trail and preserve our earth’s environment. Kristin Hanson was obviously very proud of the girls. She said, “They were real troopers. They did a great job.”  Kristin said the girls have learned a lot about preserving the environment in Mr. Michael Francia’s second grade class at Peru Central School.

Supervisor Peter Glushko welcomed the volunteers

Diana Padron of TD Bank and her son Gavin

Adele Douglas and her daughter Emily

An enthusiastic  group of volunteers turned out this morning at 10AM for the TD Bank sponsored Trees Along the Trail Event. TD Bank donated 275 trees of 9 species to the town for placement along the Peru’s beautiful new Walking Trail.  Town Supervisor Peter Glushko welcomed the volunteers including Town Counselor Donald McBrayer, Town Clerk/TaxCollector Kathy Flynn, County Legislator Peter Keenan and Chamber of Commerce President Garry Douglas. He extended special thanks to TD Bank for its company-wide tree donation program.  Several TD Bank personnel and their families along with other community members were volunteers at today’s event. The trees were planted within the first half-mile of Route 22 side of the trail.  Click here to see larger versions of these photos and more. 

Made In Plattsburgh: Benefits & Challenges To Growing Industries In Town – myChamplainValley.com.

Farm workers and activists to protest abuse at dairy farm in Lowville | NCPR News.

U.S. Sets New Rules for Oil Shipments by Rail – NYTimes.com.

Peru Gazette File Photo

Peru – Town Board Meeting, Monday, April 27, 2015 – A four-year long court case has been expensive for both the Town of Peru and for Henry and Kevin Dashnaw, owners of the Adirondack Golf and Country Club. The Town of Peru has spent in excess of $65,000. The Dashnaw’s attorney Matthew Norfolk has stated that his clients have spent thousands and thousands of dollars because the town denies that the Brand Hollow Road or any other road ever existed east of Interstate 87 where Fairway Drive now exists. The Dashnaws contend that Fairway Drive, which is adjacent to their golf course, is a town road that should be repaired and maintained by the town. The town contends that Fairway Drive was never a town road and that if the Dashnaws want to develop a subdivision there, it is their responsibility to bring the road up to the town’s standard prior to the town taking over the road. In 2012, a Supreme Judge dismissed the Dashnaw’s lawsuit. They appealed and in 2013 the New York State Appellate Division ruled that the Supreme Court Judge erred when he dismissed the case. Now both parties have asked the court to issue a final judgment in their favor.

Bob Manchester’s comments to the board were doubtedly music to Town Supervisor Peter Glushko’s ears at the Monday’s board meeting.  Manchester told the board, “Peru water is wonderful. I can actually drink the water out of my faucet! I can throw away my Breta filter.” Supervisor Glushko has been praising town water for several months. He commented, “People can stop buying bottled water. Our water tastes good and it’s safe to drink.” Glushko said several Clinton County Health Department tests have verified the water’s safety. Last year the Town of Peru completed a $3.2 million water system upgrade.

Bob Manchester also mentioned what he considers to be excessive school bus traffic on McIntosh Drive. He said six buses travel to the school daily via McIntosh Drive. He asked if buses could be directed to use state highways and mentioned that he had been a bus driver several years ago and at that time, it was school policy that the school buses travel on state highways whenever possible. Supervisor Glushko promised to communicate with Peru School Superintendent Grinstein regarding the matter.

Peru residents are going to be better informed when a zoning or planning hearing is scheduled related to a neighboring property. Counselor Donald McBrayer told the board that Town Code Enforcement Officer Frank Slycord would be posting a sign on applicants’ properties for the purpose of informing neighbors that a Zoning Board or Planning Board action is pending. For the past few years, the town has satisfied the minimum legal requirement by publishing zoning and planning board agenda items in the Press Republican’s legal page. Slycord’s office has also informed the Peru Gazette. The signs should make neighbors more aware of any proposed changes to nearby properties.

Maintaining and updating the town’s computer technology is being prioritized now that the town has hired Simon Moore as its contract IT provider. Counselor Donald McBrayer, the board’s IT liaison, told the board, “We’re approaching this from the point of view of what it will take to get the system up to snuff.” The existing system includes a server, 15 personal computers and a wireless Internet system. McBrayer said purchasing a new server at a cost of $8,150 (including software transfer) is the #1 priority as is off-site or cloud back-up for the new server. An on-site tape machine backs up the current server; however, if a fire or other damage severely damages the server, all town financial records would be lost. Off-site/cloud backup would cost $899 annually. McBrayer and Moore also recommended a computer replacement schedule. Three computers would be retired annually, meaning every computer would be replaced after five years of use which McBrayer stated is the generally accepted computer lifetime. The town hall’s wireless system also needs to be replaced with a more capable system.

The Peru Central School has invited the Town of Peru to participate in a joint solar energy venture. Five acres of open land would be needed for the solar panels. The town does not own five open acres; therefore locating the panels in multiple locations is being explored. Counselor Brandy McDonald was dubious about the school proposal saying he showed the school’s plans to a solar energy expert who questioned several of the plan’s assumptions and projected costs.

Supervisor Glushko informed the Board that Peruvian International Festival II has been scheduled on July 19^th. He said the format would be similar to last year’s.

The Board passed three resolutions relating to oil train safety recommended by the Clinton County Oil Train Task Force. They will be mailed to various legislators, government bodies, agencies and the railroad. Oil Train Resolutions

The $500,000 Emergency Community Water Assistance Grant (ECWAG) related to the recent upgrade of the town’s water system has been received. It could be used to retire water system bonds or dispersed over time to reduce the water tax rate. Supervisor Glushko asked board members to think about the best course of action.

The Highway Department has completed its springtime street sweeping in the hamlet. Now they will move to outlying subdivisions.

Pam Barber reported that bands have been booked for the all the town’s summer concerts. Nine concerts have been scheduled between June 28^th and August 23^rd. Fund availability determined the number of concerts. The names of the interested bands were put in a hat and drawn. Six interested bands were not lucky enough to be chosen.

Counselor Brandy Donald mentioned the large number of stray cats in the hamlet.

Counselor Kregg Bruno was absent for the 8^th consecutive board meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 9 p.m.

Catholic census underway throughout North Country – Press-Republican: News.

Peru Woman Prepares To Run Across Country For Young Adults With Cancer – myChamplainValley.com.

PLATTSBURGH, NY – The Strand Center for the Arts is proud to announce the new exhibit opening in May, “Clairvoyance II: Art of the Visually Impaired.” This exhibit features artwork from the Northeastern Association of the Blind at Albany Blind Artist Society (NABA BAS), Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CABVI), and the North Country Association of the Visually Impaired, Inc. (NCAVI). The exhibit will be on view May 1st to 29th, 2015 at The Strand Center for the Arts, located at 23 Brinkerhoff Street, Plattsburgh. The opening reception will be held May 1st from 5:00 to 8:00 pm, is free to the public, and is part of the First Weekends in Plattsburgh Art Walk.

The Strand Center for the Arts Gallery Coordinator, Christina Elliott, stated “The primary motive behind the exhibit “Clairvoyance II” is to educate the public about artists with disabilities, particularly how those with visual impairments interact with and produce art.” This exhibit was originally curated by The Strand Center in July of 2014, but on a smaller scale. Not only did the exhibit educate the public, but created more accessibility to those with disabilities, as Braille catalogs and posters were available. Read more »

Bailey Wind will be speaking to the Peru Jr/Sr High School student body on May 12th at 9:30 am. Bailey had just signed her letter of intent with the University of Tennessee’s Swimming and Diving team when on December 1, 2012, at the age of 17 and a senior at Shaker High School in Latham, New York, Bailey was one of two survivors in a fatal, highly published crash on the Northway. The SUV Bailey was traveling in was hit from behind by a drunk, high, texting and speeding driver and skidded across three lanes of the Northway, flipped multiple times, crashing roof first into two trees in the median. Bailey was trapped for over two hours in a fetal-like position with a broken neck, broken jaw, knocked out teeth, bilateral pulmonary contusions, and bleeding on the brain. Bailey’s boyfriend and good friend, who were also traveling in the SUV with her, were killed on impact.

In May 2014, Bailey began speaking to area high schools Read more »

Regular Mtg Agenda 04272015