The Peru Gazette

Hydroelectric project coming closer in Moriah » Local News » Press-Republican.

New St. Lawrence Psych plan leaves locals wary » Local News » Press-Republican.

Significant ice expected for weekend » Local News » Press-Republican.

New lungs give Peru man new life » NEW TODAY… » Press-Republican.

Law Protects New Yorkers and the Environment by Ensuring Proper Handling of Hazardous Mercury 

A new law signed by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo will require manufacturers to collect and recycle mercury-containing thermostats at no cost to consumers, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Joe Martens announced today. The law implements a statewide thermostat product stewardship program to ensure that hazardous mercury is properly handled, preventing potential adverse health effects and damage to the environment.

“Proper precautions should be taken when mercury thermostats are removed or replaced to prevent breakage and dangerous mercury releases into the environment,” Commissioner Martens said.  “This new law establishes a program to collect and safely dispose of mercury thermostats, which will protect New Yorkers and our environment.  Thanks to the collaborative efforts of Governor Cuomo, state legislators, and numerous stakeholders, New York will now have an effective program to curtail potential mercury exposure.”

Read more »

AGENDA

TOWN BOARD REGULAR MEETING

December 23, 2013@ 7:00 PM 

1. Call Meeting To Order

1. Pledge of Allegiance

1. Roll Call

1. MOTION:    Approval of Minutes for the December 9 2013 Regular Board Meeting.

1. Community Input.

1. DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION:  Passing of Town Zoning Law.

1. DISCUSSION:  2013 Budget Amendments and Fund Transfers.

1. DISCUSSION:  Fuller Road Repairs Update. 

1. DISCUSSION:  Garage Roof Repair Update. 

1. DISCUSSION:  Lyons Road Schoolhouse Repair.

1. DISCUSSION:  Town Zoning Law Update.

1. DISCUSSION:   Walking Trail Grant Update.

1. DISCUSSION:  Water Quality Improvement Project Update. 

1. DISCUSSION:  Sewer Engineering Grant Update. 

1. DISCUSSION:  Town Hall Front Entrance Update.

1. DISCUSSION:  Park Security Update.

1. DISCUSSION:  Direct Energy/NYSEG Update.

1. DISCUSSION:  Other Business.

1. DISCUSSION:  Public Comments on Agenda Items Only.

1. DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION:  Approve/Pay Bills

MOTION:     Adjourn

Map of uninsured shows North Country doing OK « The In Box.

Map of uninsured shows North Country doing OK « The In Box.

Feedback: Psych Center Will Keep Inpatient Services | WWNY TV 7 – 

Today, Representative Bill Owens made the following statement after Governor Andrew Cuomo’s announcement that the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center has been named a Regional Center of Excellence: 

“Keeping the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center open is the best outcome possible, and I applaud Governor Cuomo for once again making the North Country’s needs one of his top priorities. This announcement means my constituents will still be able to access vital mental health services close to home and will sustain about 500 jobs,” Representative Bill Owens said.

This summer, after meeting with the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center Task Force, Rep. Owens asked Governor Cuomo to reconsider the state’s decision to close the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center and to reevaluate the Task Force’s report on the consequences of closing it.

Empire State Development’s Board of Directors met today in New York City and approved $12.4 million in funding for projects that will create more than 80 new jobs and retain 625 existing jobs throughout the Empire State. They include: Swarovski Lighting, Ltd. (North Country Region – Clinton County) – $450,000; Slic Network Solutions, Inc. – $976,426; and Trudeau Institute (North Country Region – Franklin County) – $5,000,000

Swarovski Lighting, Ltd., a leading designer and manufacturer of high-end and custom crystal chandeliers and lighting fixtures, will use a grant of up to $450,000 for a portion of the cost of the purchase of machinery and equipment as part of a $3.4 million expansion project. The company has completed renovations to a 200,000-square-foot building in Plattsburgh, purchased and installed new machinery and equipment, and completed employee training to increase production efficiency and manufacturing productivity. Facility renovations included safety, infrastructure and layout improvements to the building in which the manufacturing, engineering, marketing, sales and administrative functions reside; and the new machinery and equipment was installed to upgrade technology in key areas, such as product design, operations and manufacturing. Swarovski also invested in product certification, a necessity for selling new cutting edge products that fall outside the parameters of previously certified product families (e.g. LED lights and dimmers) – such products require their own unique certification from authorized agencies and must meet the certification requirements of any country in which the product will be sold.

Slic Network Solutions, Inc. – $976,426 for Lyon Mountain Broadband (Clinton County).

Trudeau Institute (North Country Region – Franklin County) – $5,000,000

The Trudeau Institute, a world-renowned center for immunological research in Saranac Lake, will use a grant of up to $5 million for a portion of the costs of ongoing programs, operations, and staffing at Trudeau biomedical research laboratories. The Institute will continue to operate and expand its research laboratory to conduct biomedical research in New York State including aging, cancer, influenza, pneumonia, tuberculosis, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, and Lyme disease. Trudeau will also expand its existing contract research capabilities for pharmaceutical, biotechnology and biomedical engineering companies, leveraging its expertise and world-class experimental animal facilities and unique CDC-certified laboratories for investigating immunity to Select Agent pathogens for biodefense. This multi-year project, in conjunction with partnerships with Clarkson University and the State, will move the Trudeau Institute closer to its broader vision of developing a biotechnology cluster in the North Country. The Institute and Clarkson will establish and coordinate scientific research and expand education and technology-based economic development. Trudeau and Clarkson will also put in place the faculty, facilities, and educational programs to make this cluster self-sustaining and diversify and develop other funding and business opportunities to sustain a new business model for future operations.

More than 60 charged in North Country’s biggest drug bust » Breaking News » Press-Republican.

Nova Bus lands another contract » Breaking News » Press-Republican.

By John T. Ryan

The Peru Town Council held the 2014 town tax levy increase to 1.5%; however, tax rates will rise by 8.8%. Why? Primarily because the town’s total assessed value has declined by $2.3 million over the past two years. The Peru Gazette sat down with Town of Peru Assessor Timothy Surpitski to ask why assessed values have declined and to learn more about the assessment process.  Surpitski was very responsive to our questions.

1.Why has the town’s total assessed value declined? Surpitski said, “Market values have declined. Lakefront homes and properties in the $300,000 to $500,000 range have had noticeable declines.”  Surpitski explained that neighborhood assessed values are based on a three years running average; hence, a series of lower assessed values will have an affect. Peru is divided into six assessment neighborhoods: property along Lake Champlain; high-end neighborhoods such as Winding Brook; older subdivisions such as Quaker Springs; the Peru hamlet; property immediately east of the Clark and Calkins Roads; and properties in the western regions of the towns such as those in the vicinity of the Patent and Peasleeville Roads.

Surpitski closely monitors listed prices and sales trends. He explained, “If I see properties being listed lower than the assessed value, I know I may have a problem.”

Sales prices can be misleading because other considerations such as furnishings, expensive appliances or shop equipment could have been included in a transaction.

2. How important are tax exemptions and how do they work? As of October 2013, tax exemptions reduced Peru’s total taxable property value by 13.07%. Exemptions are typically granted to religious institutions, government buildings, school buildings, veterans and veterans’ organizations, agricultural properties and individuals age 65 and over who have an income below a certain level. Peru’s veterans, for example, received $12,220,864 in exemptions in 2013 while agriculture buildings and lands received $8,784,693.  Exemptions do not apply to special districts such as water, sewer and fire.

3. Is Peru’s share of Clinton County sales taxes impacted by the town’s declining assessed value? Yes, because towns and villages share of sales tax revenues are distributed according to assessed values. The higher the assessed value, the greater the community’s share of sales taxes.

4. Will the Town be reassessed in 2014? Pointing to several large binders on a nearby shelf, Surpitski said that he has been in the process of a total town reassessment. Actually, a total reassessment usually takes place almost every year, depending on the availability of state aid. Assessments are based on a property’s value as of March 1st; buildings under construction are assessed based on their percentage of completion as of that date.

Surpitski doesn’t claim to be infallible. He encourages people to contact him if they believe their assessment is incorrect.  He said, “I’d be more than happy to revisit the property and correct any errors.”

If a property owner still isn’t satisfied with Surpitski’s determination they can appeal to the Town’s Board of Assessment Review. Surpitski said a property owner must present substantial evidence to the Board. Verbal testimony alone will not change an assessed value.  He stated,  “The Board must follow very strict New York State rules. The assessor’s value stands unless the taxpayer can prove otherwise.”

5. Does Code Enforcement play a role in property assessment? When the code enforcement officer issues a building permit or a certificate of occupancy he notifies the tax assessor. When the assessor observes a building project or improvement to an existing structure he informs the code enforcement officer. Consistent coordination between the assessor and code enforcement officer is very important.  If a property owner undertakes a project without a required building permit he or she is may be causing a neighbor to assume an unfair portion of the tax burden.  It’s not unusual for a neighbor to report an under assessment to Surpitski.

6. Are the tax rolls easily available to the general public? Yes, they can be viewed at http://www.clintoncountygov.com/departments/realproperty/rphome.html or at the Clinton Country Real Property Office.  The tax roll is effective on July 1st of each year.

7.  What is the tax exemption available to certain senior citizens? A senior citizen age 65 or over, with a household income of $34,399 or less may be eligible for a tax exemption of up to 50%.  Contact Tim Surpitski at 643-2745, extension #4 for details.

Hudson River Rafting Owner Fined $25,000 – The Adirondack Almanack – The Adirondack Almanack.

Winter Events, Lectures At Fort Ticonderoga – The Adirondack Almanack – The Adirondack Almanack.

Trooper dies after Thruway crash – Times Union.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Joe Martens today announced that beginning Thursday, December 26, the public will not be able to purchase hunting, fishing or trapping licenses, or secure a recreational marine fishing registration or report their harvested game. The temporary blackout period is due to a transition that DEC will undergo from the current computerized licensing system to a newly developed system and is expected to last approximately one to two weeks.

“In order to transfer the most current data and transition to the new system, we need to completely shut down license sales and game harvest reporting,” said Commissioner Martens. “The loss of the ability to purchase a sporting license, associated stamp or permit, register to recreationally fish in New York’s marine waters or report a harvested deer or bear will be temporary and the public will be notified as soon the new system is accessible.”  Read more »

Winter Recreational Opportunities Abound with Proper Preparation and Precautions 

The recent snowstorm provided great conditions for winter outdoor recreation in the Adirondack backcountry the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) reports today. Backcountry visitors should be prepared with proper clothing and equipment for snow, ice and cold to ensure a safe and enjoyable winter experience.

 “Now that snows have arrived in the Adirondacks, winter recreationist can take advantage of all that the Park has to offer during the upcoming holiday vacation period,” said DEC Commissioner Joe Martens. “However, recreationist must be aware that winter can also present troublesome – even perilous – conditions to the unprepared. Visitors exploring the backcountry should dress for cold weather and use snowshoes and skis to navigate trails.”

Snow depths range from 8 – 20 inches or more. The deepest snows are in the western and southwestern Adirondacks and the thinner depths in the northeastern section. Snow depths are deeper in the higher elevations like the High Peaks and other mountains over 3000 feet.

Read more »

DiNapoli Probe Prompts $15,000 Restitution, 12/11/13.

Common Core and doing better – Times Union.

Owens stands behind Obamacare » Local News » Press-Republican.

Are you one of the 12 missing lotto winners? | New York Post.

Too Close to the Edge: Vermont Lawmakers to Focus on Shoreline Protection | Seven Days.

Breaking: Adirondack Hudson River Gorge Wilderness Approved « The In Box.