The Peru Gazette

PLATTSBURGH, NEW YORK–The North Country Cultural Center for the Arts (NCCCA) is pleased to announce the Second Annual Tri-County Decentralization Grant Awards Ceremony set for May 9 at 5:30pm in the Main Gallery of the Art Center at 23 Brinkerhoff Street in Plattsburgh.

Thirty plus artists and arts organizations from Clinton, Essex, and Franklin Counties will be in attendance along with Assemblywoman Janet Duprey and other dignitaries from across the North Country region.

Decentralization is a regrant program intended to help promote the arts throughout New York State. Decentralization Grants are made possible through the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.

The recipients of the 2014 Decentralization Grant will present their projects in an informal setting accompanied by a wine tasting from Amazing Grace Vineyard, cake from Adirondack Delectables, and a wide range of food samplings from North Country eateries.

Grants will be awarded to 27 community arts projects and 5 teaching artists as follows:

Adirondack Regional Theatre Young Director’s Series
Adirondack Sustainable Communities Hobofest
Adirondack Youth Orchestra
Appleby Foundation: OnStage Dance Program
Appleby Foundation: Tahawus Center Cultural Programs
Ballard Park Foundation: Westport Community Concerts
Battle of Plattsburgh: Battling in Plattsburgh: Original Musical
CEF Library System for Stan Ransom: Imagination’s Place Storytelling Program
Champlain Valley Voices: A Joyous Mother’s Day
Chateaugay Revitalization Committee, Children’s Theatre Camp
Chazy Music Theatre: Chicago
City of Plattsburgh for Adk. Dance Co.: Little Mermaid Ballet & Evening of Arts
East Branch Friends of the Arts, Lake Placid Sinfonietta in the Valley
The Essex Community Concert Series
Foothills Art Society, Wilder Farm Cultural Festival
Jay Entertainment & Music Society: Coffee House Series
Jay Entertainment & Music Society: Adult Dance Classes
Jay Entertainment & Music Society for Mountain to Mountain Children’s Theatre
Piano by Nature, 2014 Concert Series
Saranac Lake Chamber for Diane Leifheit, Face to Face: Drawn to Saranac Lake
Saranac Lake Chamber for Northern Adirondack Artist Studio Tour
Ticonderoga Arts: Arts Celebration of Ti: Past, Present, Future
Ticonderoga Festival Guild Arts, Arts Trek XXXII
Ticonderoga Heritage Museum, Celebrate Ticonderoga!
Town of Keene, Music from the Back Porch
Village of Malone: Art in the Park 2014
Whallonsburg Grange: 2014 Performance Series

By John T. Ryan

Unplanned expenses, debt and concern about cost estimates were the primary topics at the April 14^th Peru Town Board meeting. In the not too distant future, the Town of Peru will be incurring in excess of $1,000,000 in debt. Supervisor Peter Glushko said he would research borrowing costs prior to the next Board meeting. Bonds are typically paid over a 25, 30 or 35 year period. Current interest rates range between 3 and 4%.

General Town Bonds (Debt)

Walking Trail – $210,400

Town Hall Entrance Steps – $95,800

Total General Bonds  – $306,200 

Highway Department Bonds (Debt)

Fuller Road Culvert Repairs – $301,225

Highway Garage Roof (Estimated) – $150,000

Hurricane Irene Related Road Repairs – $330,336

Total  Highway Department – $781,561 

Overall Total Bonding – $1,087,761 

The Town Hall entrance steps upgrade project will cost $31,000 more than anticipated. The Town Board initially placed a $60,000 limit on the project and asked the Town’s contract engineer to design a project within that limit. When the bids were opened on April 19^th, Northern Snow and Dirt of Plattsburgh submitted the low bid of $91,000. At this meeting the Board decided that pavers would enhance the Town Hall’s appearance more than concrete steps bringing the total project cost to $95,800. Engineers said their $60,000 estimate was based on an understanding that the Town would demolish the existing steps; however, several weeks ago counselors decided to not use Town personnel citing concerns about buried utilities, liability and other matters.

The Heyworth/Mason Park to Sullivan Park Walking Trail will cost the Town $210,400. The total project cost is $860,000 including engineering and inspection. Federal and NYS grants total $649,600 and the Town will bond for $210,400. Depending on when the cost estimates were made, the Walking Trail cost exceeded estimates by between $100,000 and $200,000.

The Highway Department will be incurring debt for its garage roof repairs, Fuller Road culvert repairs and Hurricane Irene road repairs that were not reimbursed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

While the garage roof bid specifications have not been finalized, the cost is estimated at between $150,000 and $200,000. Engineers determined that wood beams, rather than steel beams would be sufficient, significantly reducing the cost from initial estimates. Counselor Kregg Bruno, a contractor (not an engineer) by trade, had consistently stated that wood beams would be sufficient.

The Fuller Road culvert replacement project will result in a debt of $301,000. Initial estimates for that project totaled $250,000. Modifications required to satisfy U.S. Fish and Wildlife regulations were a factor in that cost increase.

Counselor Jim Douglas expressed concern about the accuracy of cost estimates saying any future estimates must be more accurate. Counselor Kregg Bruno has often expressed frustration about engineers not responding to his inquiries.

In other actions:

On a positive note, Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell informed the Board that an additional $20,000 from New York State C.H.I.P.S. monies would enable his staff to pave an extra quarter-mile of highway this summer. Unfortunately, the escalating cost of asphalt will limit paving to approximately 2.5 highway miles, down from the desired 4 or 5 miles. The Highway Department’s budget has been severely affected by the cold, stormy winter and a significant increase in the cost of asphalt. Farrell said the old section of the Sullivan Road would have top priority followed by Buttonwood and Woodland Drives in the hamlet.

The Town Board is seeking volunteers for a Main Street Planning Committee. The Town recently received a 100% funded grant to develop a plan for Main Street enhancements. Supervisor Peter Glushko emphasized that plan would not be implemented until the Town has the necessary funds in hand. The plan could be shelved indefinitely pending funding availability.

The Board adjourned for a 25-minute Executive Session to discuss an employee’s work history.

Peru Central School District’s Board of Education will have a brief, special meeting on the morning of Thursday, April 24th at 7:30 AM in the Jr/Sr High School Community Room. The brief special meeting will focus exclusively on consideration of the BOCES administrative budget for the 2014‐2015 school year and consideration of candidates running for seats on this region’s BOCES [Board of Cooperative Education Services].

No other school board or school district business is slated for Thursday morning.

Dems won’t support Cuomo for president in 2016: sources | New York Post.

Basil Paterson, 1926-2014 | New York Post.

From the Office of Congressman Bill Owens

WASHINGTON—Today, Congressman Bill Owens announced the availability of grant funds through the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC). Grants will be awarded to projects that develop infrastructure, provide workforce training and business development, provide health care and public services to underserved areas, promote resource conservation, or promote renewable or alternative energy production.

“Northern Border Regional Commission grants strengthen local economies and encourage job creation and workforce readiness,” said Rep. Owens. “These grants help local businesses create jobs and prepare our workforce to fill them, driving economic growth throughout the region. The Commission continues to support New Yorkers developing their skills and investing in long-term success.” Read more »

PLATTSBURGH, NY- The North Country Cultural Center and the Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau are excited to announce the call for entries for this year’s Adirondack Coast ARTWays competition. The theme of this year’s Adirondack Coast ARTWays is the Battle of Plattsburgh Bicentennial. Two hundred years have passed since military forces battled for colonial rights off the coast of Plattsburgh and throughout the region. To commemorate these events the 2014 theme of ARTWays is honoring this rich history by inviting artists to reinterpret these events through creative expression.

Artist can submit one work in any medium. Submissions due by 5 p.m. on Friday June 27th, 2014 and entry is free. Guidelines and application Read more »

Regular Mtg Agenda 14Apr2014

Northern New York – The Northern New York Agricultural Development Program (NNYADP) has received $600,000 in the recently-passed New York State Budget for research to enhance the sustainability and profitability of farm businesses in the state’s six northernmost counties: Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence.

The Northern New York agricultural industry contributes nearly $600 million in farm product market value to the local economy and has a local payroll of approximately $53 million. Read more »

By Donald McBrayer

During Tuesday’s Library Board Meeting TD Bank managers Chris Mullen and Diana Padron presented the Peru Free Library with a check for $497.74 for participating in TD Bank’s Affinity Program.

Library Board President, Kara McBrayer thanked TD Bank for its support and expressed gratitude for the people who participate in the program. “It’s this kind of support that keeps the Peru Free Library going,” McBrayer said.

The TD Bank Affinity Program is designed to help the growth of non-profit organizations by making an annual donation to the organizations based upon the average balance of all linked accounts at TD Bank. Eligible accounts include business and personal, checking, savings, money market, CD and retirement.

If you would like to join the TD Bank Affinity Program to help the Peru Free Library find out how at:       http://donyo1aolcom.dotster.com/PeruTown/PeruFreeLibrary04-11-14.pdf or ask your TD banking agent to link your accounts to any non-profit that is participating. The recipient non-profit will not receive any information from TD Bank regarding your account balances or any other personal information.  There is no cost to the account holders.

The Peru Highway Department has started its spring cleanup, sweeping and fixing torn up lawns, etc. The hamlet will be done when the lawns are hard enough to hold the tractors.  The Department will be working ten-hour days beginning April 14th. They will work Monday-Thursday.

On Sunday, March 30^th, Rev. Alan Shnob, Pastor of St. Augustine’s Church, honored two parishioners when he presented the Golden Rose Award to Peggy Banker and Peter Keenan.

Peggy Banker was honored for her 28-½ years of service as parish secretary and for her faithful ministry to the parish community.  She also received a Papal Blessing signed by Pope Francis recognizing her generous and faithful service.

Peter Keenan has been an active member of St. Augustine’s Parish and the Peru community throughout his life. Keenan, a charter member of St. Augustine’s Knights of Columbus Council 7273, was the Applefest barbeque chairman for 33 years, served as a Peru Town Justice for 24 years and was elected to the Clinton County Legislature in November 2011.

Father Shnob stated the Golden Rose Award in past centuries was a sign of respect and appreciation. Recipients have included churches, royalty, military figures and governments. As a youth Father Shnob was a member of St. Anne’s Parish in Mooers Forks where his pastor, Rev. Msgr. George Philips, presented the award during each Lenten Season. Rev Shnob thought it was a wonderful tradition and has followed Msgr. Philip’s example.

Babbie Rural & Farm Learning Museum Season Opening – May 10-11, 2014 –

Hours 10am – 4pm.

Plowing and planting with antique farm equipment ongoing throughout the weekend.

Other demonstrations include the shingle mill and blacksmith shop. A perennial plant

sale will be held. 518-643-8052 http://www.babbiemuseum.org/

Police locate body » Breaking News » Press-Republican.

No sign yet of missing student » Breaking News » Press-Republican.

Rainbow Banquet Hall damaged by fire » Local News » Press-Republican.

Study: Asthma costs $1.3B in state – Times Union.

Comptroller to Opt Out of Public Financing System – NYTimes.com.

NYSUT delegates call for ouster of State Ed’s John King – Times Union.

The man who led a revolution inside NY prisons | News from North Country Public Radio.

On Saturday, April 5th, 2014 volunteers across Clinton, Essex and Franklin counties will lend their hand to the annual Day of Caring event hosted by United Way of the Adirondack Region, Inc., North Country Regional Volunteer Center, Project H.E.L.P. at SUNY Plattsburgh and the Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau.  With the help of more than 500 volunteers from the three counties and students from Project H.E.L.P., over 43 projects were completed.  Throughout the day volunteers will donate time to 9 non-profit organizations, 24 residential areas, 3 non-profit tourism attractions, 1 community event, 6 food drives and street/highway clean up. Kathy Snow, Director of Development of the Adirondack Region, Inc. stated “The Day of Caring is a tremendous opportunity for people through-out Clinton, Essex, and Franklin Counties to come together for friends and neighbors and to help maintain the unique quality of life in this area.”  Read more »

Watertown Daily Times | Smaller planes at Watertown Airport will lead to potential revenue losses for American Airlines.

Peru Central’s Board of Education launches its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, April 8, 2014 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:

• Budget workshop #6
• Finalizing a 2014-2015 budget amount and voter proposition
• Recognition of multiple student clubs/groups

Report: IBM close to selling fabs to GlobalFoundries – The Buzz: Business news.

Special interest groups spend $210M lobbying state, local governments  – NY Daily News.