The Peru Gazette

By John T. Ryan

The Board appointed Bruce R. Germain, Timothy St. Pierre and Steve LaBounty to the Zoning Board of Appeals and Nicholas J. Zagrodzki and Kim Budwick to the Planning Board. Counselor Donald McBrayer favored tabling a vote stating that the Zoning Board members had indicated that they would like to see prospective board members attend at least one Board meeting and if possible they would like to meet prospective members. McBrayer said that to the best of his knowledge the candidates had not attended meetings and had not met with either board. Supervisor Peter Glushko said that Code Enforcement Officer Frank Slycord, Zoning Board Chairman Rob Bashaw and Planning Board Chairman Richard Williams recommended approval. Counselor Jim Douglas said that it was hard to get volunteers for any position, therefore he would not be in favor of delaying the vote. Counselor Kregg Bruno concurred. Glushko, Douglass and Bruno voted yes. McBrayer voted no saying he had no objection to any of the appointees, but objected to the boards not having input.

A new tandem dump truck/snow plow will be arriving in Peru this spring. The Peru Town Board approved the truck’s purchase at its Monday, February 24, 2013 meeting.  The winning bid of $120,435 submitted by R.R. Charlebois Inc. of Milton, Vt. Clark’s Truck Center of Plattsburgh was the only other bidder.  The Freightliner truck will be outfitted with a snowplow package, which the town purchased in November 2013 at a cost of $71,231. Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell said he expects the truck will be delivered in May.

Bids will be advertised this week for construction of the Heyworth/Mason Park to Sullivan Park Walking Trail.  They will be opened on March 19^th and awarded on March 24^th.  Grants are expected to fund 80% of the project cost. Walking Trail Map

The Town’s procurement policy was changed with the passage of 2014 Local Law #2. Referred to as the Best Value Law, it will permit the Board to accept a bid, which is not necessarily the lowest bid, if the Board determines that the higher bid represents a better value to the town. Supervisor Glushko cited the example of a geographically distant bidder submitting a low bid but not being in a position to provide prompt maintenance or service.

Section 1.2 of the law reads: “Goods and services procured and awarded on the basis of best value are those that the Town Board determines will be of the highest quality while being the most cost efficient. The determination of quality and cost efficiency shall be based on objectively quantified and clearly described and documented criteria, which may include, but shall not be limited to, any or all of the following: cost of maintenance; proximity to the end user if distance or response time is a significant term; durability; availability of replacement parts or maintenance contractors; and longer product life; product performance criteria; and quality of craftsmanship.” Local Law #2 of 2014

Security cameras will be installed at the Little Ausable River Park and Heyworth/Mason Park in the very near future. Electrical service will have to be installed at Heyworth/Mason Park to power the cameras.

Contract engineer Peter Gibbs is still working plans and specifications for the New Town Hall entrance stairs. Counselor Jim Douglas said, “I’d like to get moving on that project as soon as possible.”

The Board held a twelve-minute executive meeting to discuss an individual’s employment history.

The meeting adjourned at 8:15 PM.

Watertown Daily Times | Fort Drum faces cuts as DOD budget calls for massive Army soldier reductions.

Watertown Daily Times | Death of American Eagle at Watertown airport in May will mean birth of Philadelphia flights.

Advocates tour hard-pressed schools – Times Union.

IBM makes job deal – Times Union.

Easing the high cost of dying – Times Union.

For the past eight 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 scheduled to meet February 27^th and March 18^th beginning at 6 pm.  In addition to these informational sessions, the BAC will be invited to share their recommendations with the School Board on Tuesday, March 25^th 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.

Watertown Daily Times | Climate change reaching north country farms.

Watertown Daily Times | Teens face job search hurdles as older workers fill entry-level spots.

St. Monica’s Court Catholic Daughters will host its annual St. Patrick’s Dinner on Saturday, March 15^th from 4 to 6:30 PM at the St. Augustine’s Parish Center.  The sumptuous meal will feature corned beef, ham, cabbage along with music provided by Don McBrayer, George Shnob and Elizabeth Churchill. Deirdre O’Callaghan and Taylor Morse dance Irish style to the music.

From the Office of Elise Stefanik

Plattsburgh – Don Lee, Chair of the Clinton County Republican Committee, became the most recent county chair to reaffirm his committee’s support for Elise Stefanik, despite additional candidates jumping in the 21st Congressional District race. Lee released the following statement of support today on behalf of the Clinton County Republican Committee:

“Elise Stefanik came to the Clinton County Republican Committee endorsement meeting and proved to us she is absolutely the best candidate in this race. She knows North Country issues, she’s very intelligent, she’s hardworking and has demonstrated she has the energy and drive to be a forward-looking candidate.

“Her ties to the community and small business experience, coupled with her understanding of the unique needs of the district, make Elise our best candidate to win this seat back, regardless of who else has entered the race recently.

“The Clinton County Republican Committee endorsed Elise last month and did so with very good reason. Our opinion of her as the strongest candidate has not changed and we will continue to support her campaign.”

Schumer calls for car-tracking technology data limits | New York Post.

Albany’s ethical compass still askew.

Lawsuits vanish on your dime – Times Union.

Regular Mtg Agenda 02242014

AGENDA

       1. Call Meeting To Order

       2. Pledge of Allegiance

       3.  Roll Call

     4. MOTION:         To Open the Public Hearing.

     5. DISCUSSION:  Community Input and Questions

     6. MOTION:         To Close the Public Hearing.

     7.  MOTION:         Adjourn

The United Way of the Adirondack Region, Inc. has met the 2014 campaign goal of $725,000. The annual campaign is conducted primarily during the fall months and concludes in February of each year. This year’s campaign raised a total of $725,116.00, which includes proceeds from special events. DaleAnne Wolter of Compassionate Friends of the Champlain Valley and JCEO was the co-chair of this years drive and has volunteered on the campaign team for several years. She said “we are so delighted to deliver this exciting news to our three county region. It is once again a testament to the generosity and caring nature of the North Country. It was very challenging this year and we are proud of what we have been able to achieve”. Ellen Gordon of Adirondack Community Action Programs, Inc. was the co-chair of this year’s drive and has also volunteered on the campaign team for several years. She said, “It was a valiant team effort among campaign team volunteers, United Way staff and employee campaign representatives, but most of all, it was the generosity of businesses, organizations and individuals that made it successful. I am always so impressed to see how people in our region come together for their friends and neighbors.” Other campaign team members included: Julie Kramer, Tony Searing, Jamie Basiliere, Lisa VanNatten, Jerry Morrow, Bruce Gray, Deena McCullough, Marge Garcia, Gayle Alexander, Dan Alexander, Betsy Senkowski, Doug Chaves and staff members Marion Daniels, Kathy Snow, Katie Benway and John Bernardi. Read more »

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced Empire State Development (ESD) has approved more than $9 million in New York State Broadband Grants to support five projects that will expand access to broadband services for approximately 33,000 households, 4,500 businesses and 55 community anchor institutions across Upstate New York, including in the Capital Region, Western New York, Finger Lakes, Southern Tier, Central New York, North Country and Mohawk Valley regions.

“Under our Connect NY Broadband Grant program and the Regional Economic Development Councils, we are supporting projects that will connect New Yorkers and businesses to much-needed internet access,” Governor Cuomo said. “Expanding our telecommunications infrastructure is one way we can grow local economies and improve the quality of life for New Yorkers. The projects approved will allow providers to invest in communities and connect local businesses with new markets, marking significant progress in our efforts to bring broadband access to underserved New Yorkers in Upstate New York.”  Read more »

The Peru Central School Board of Education will gather Tuesday, February 25th at 6 PM in the Jr/Sr High School Community Room for their second public session budget workshop.  At its budget workshop, the School Board is expected to:

1. Discuss Gap Elimination Adjustment.

2. Receive Update on Budget Stressors.

3. Receive an Overview Budget Advisory Committee Focus.

Watertown Daily Times | Doheny endorsed by Independence Party.

Protesters say Cuomo’s proposed tax cuts as just for ‘the rich’ | New York Post.

Officials seek to keep Remington jobs in NY – News – The Telegram – Herkimer, NY.

Counting down time for health insurance – Times Union.

New York State in Deal to Limit Solitary Confinement – NYTimes.com.