The Peru Gazette

By John T. Ryan (Updated 7:45 AM 10/30/13 to clarify the deleted agricultural lands proposal. 

The Peru Town Board voted to approve revisions in the Zoning Law at its October 28, 2013 meeting.  The changes will not go into effect until approved by the New York Department of State.

Formulating and enacting the Zoning Law update has been tedious; the Update Committee began its work in 2008.  In addition to its meetings, the committee conducted a town-wide survey, three public meetings and two public hearings.  A proposal to control/restrict future development of agricultural lands was opposed by several farmers and orchardists who did not want to restrict the future use of their property. If they can’t continue farming whether because of economics or succession, the farmers did not want to restrict the future use of their property. The Town Board reacted and requested deletion of that section of the new law. Orchardists Adam Sullivan and Seth Forrence were present last night and thanked the Town Board for listening to their concerns. Click here to read our previous detailed story on the zoning changes.

Town employees and retirees will be covered by a new Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance plan next year. Excellus will not offer the current policies in 2014. Supervisor Peter Glushko said the town’s costs will be reduced by about $2,000, deductibles will be lowered and coverage improved. Burnham Benefit Advisors of Lake Placid administers the town’s health insurance.

The Fuller Road culvert repair project will be delayed. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers still has to conduct a site visit and issue a permit. Farrell said the Corps would conduct the site review on Wednesday, October 30^th. It normally takes 45 days to issue a permit. Fuller Excavating was the low bidder on the project with a bid of $192,850, which was $60,000 less than the next lowest bidder. Fuller had planned to immediately begin construction.

Child safety was on the agenda. The Board approved engineering expenditures of up to $63,000 related to the Safe Routes to School Program. In late 2012 the town secured a $235,000 Safe Routes to School (STRS) grant to improve walking and biking safety to and from Peru Central School. SRTS grants are 100% federally funded and are administered by New York State Department of Transportation. The School Street sidewalk was financed through a previous SRTS grant. Click here for our previous detailed story on this issue. 

After almost nine months of discussion and workman’s compensation and other insurance issues, the Board accepted a Clowney Electrical Services proposal to install new playground equipment at Laphams Mills Park. The work should be completed by December 31st. The equipment will be located in the area currently surrounded by fencing at the park’s western edge.

The Town Board’s first November meeting will be held on November 4^th at 7 PM. The Board will schedule the 2014 budget Public Hearing at that meeting.

In other actions/discussions:

Water Superintendent Greg Timmons informed the Board that he would like to hire a firm to conduct annual equipment calibrations, equipment checks and software upgrades at the water plant. The $3,900 cost will be included in the department’s 2014 budget.

At the Board’s request, Town Attorney Donald Biggs will advertise for design proposals for the Town Hall entrance stairs. The Board placed a $60,000 limit on the project.

The Board approved contracts with AES Engineering related to applying for Hazard Mitigation Grants and acting as observer on the Fuller Road culvert installation project.

The last required walking trail property easements have been secured.

Ammo checks moving target – Times Union.

Paying through the nose – Times Union.

This is a story the Peru Gazette published on February 14, 2012. We have been informed that the only significant change made since that story is the elimination of the so-called agricultural overlays.

Why is Peru adopting a new Zoning Law and what changes are being proposed? Read more »

AGENDA PUBLIC HEARING ON

NEW ZONING LAW ADOPTION October 28, 2013

 6:30 PM 

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

PERU — Jonathan Ruff, a member of the Peru Central School Board of Education has resigned, and the board would like to hear from district residents willing to fill the vacancy. The board intends to appoint a new member at the meeting set for Tuesday, Nov. 12. The appointment will expire on May 21, 2014.

Those interested are asked to submit their name and contact information to Peru Central School District Clerk, PO Box 68, Peru, NY 12972 no later than 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 4. Candidates should provide a written statement of interest of no more than 150 words.

For more information, call the superintendent of schools at 643-6002.

Resident dies in Saranac Lake apartment fire » Local News » Press-Republican.

The sun shined brightly for a few moments this morning, October 27, 2013, as Reverend Alan Shnob dedicated a replica of Michelangelo’s famous Pieta.  St. Augustine’s parishioners Rick and Kathy Siddon donated the statue on the occasion of their 35th wedding anniversary.  Kathy Siddon explained, “We’re always wanted to do something for the parish. We talked with Father Alan about placing a Cross in the cemetery. He mentioned the Pieta and everything seemed to fall into place.” The Pieta depicts the body of Jesus on the lap of his mother Mary after the Crucifiction.  The statue is very visible at the western edge of St. Augustine’s Cemetery. Michelangelo’s original Pieta was sculpted in 1498-99 and resides in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

Kathy and Rick Siddon

The Siddon’s hired local stone mason Gary Cassavaugh to do the stonework. Cassavaugh is well-known for his work on the Veterans Memorial on the U.S. Oval. St. Augustine’s Maintenance Supervisor David Soulia constructed the beautiful Cross using wood donated by Ernie Bedard, the owner of What Knots Custom Sawmill. Glenn Burdo, owner of Rand Hill Lawns, Inc., donated the topsoil that surrounds the statue and Cross. Click here for more photos.

Hotel Saranac closes as sale nears » Local News » Press-Republican.

State to reduce standardized tests » Local News » Press-Republican.

Regular Mtg Agenda Oct 28 2013

Area shaken by the core – Times Union.

Cuomo says state can afford tax cuts | News from North Country Public Radio.

Jim Favreau, CFO of Jeffords Steel & Engineering Company, present John Bernardi, Executive Director of the United Way of the Adirondack Region with a check for $21,928.96 from the employees workplace giving campaign and their corporate pledge. They increased last year’s donation  by  $1,000.

At a Peru Town Board Special Meeting held on  October 22, 2013, 6:30 PM the following resolution was passed: 

A RESOLUTION AWARDING FULLER ROAD CULVERT REPLACEMENT AT DRY MILL BROOK BID TO STEVE E. FULLER EXCAVATION, INC. WHEREAS, the Town Board has received certain bids in response to its request for same in connection with the Fuller Road Culvert replacement at Dry Mill Brook;  and WHEREAS, the Town Board, in consultation with Engineering Ventures, PC and  the Town Highway Superintendent, find that the bid of Steve E. Fuller Excavation, Inc. was the lowest bidder and the one that most closely met the bid specifications; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the bid of Steve E. Fuller Excavation, Inc. for the Fuller Road Culvert replacement at Dry Mill Brook of One Hundred and Ninety Two Thousand, Eight Hundred and Fifty Dollars and Zero Cents ($192,850.00) is hereby accepted and the Town Supervisor and Highway Superintendent are hereby authorized to execute any further documentation necessary to facilitate and/or consummate the bid contract for a price not to exceed this amount; and it is further RESOLVED, that this Resolution shall take effect immediately. 

October 22, 2013  – Letter to Editor Peru Gazette

Dear Editor:

Friday, Oct. 11^th was a beautiful warm autumn day for the 72 golfers who took to the tees for the 4^th annual Leo Bourgeois Memorial Golf Tournament to raise money for Mr. B’s scholarship fund for Peru Central School seniors.

Because of the generosity of sponsors, donors and golfers, $4,000 was raised for the Leo Bourgeois Memorial Scholarship fund.  I am pleased to announce that since the scholarship’s inception three years ago, $6,600 in scholarships have been awarded to six PCS students pursuing post-secondary educations.

I would like to recognize and thank the tournament sponsors: Gold Sponsors – Chris and Tim Bourgeois, Forrence Orchards, Peru Federal Credit Union and Susan Sweeney Smith, Class of ’81; Silver Sponsors – Abbott, Frenyea & Russell, CPAs PC, Jane Coryell Acuna, Class of ’66, William & Barbara Ashley, Class of ’70, Mary Lou Baker, Class of ’60, Bill’s Body Shop, Hyde Fuel Company, J Hogan Refrigeration & Mechanical, Langley Insurance Agency, Pasquale’s Restaurant, Cathy Phillips, Class of ’73, Brian & Cindy Lipka Shinault, Class of ’68, Yarborough Square and John Zerrahn, Class of ‘73; and Bronze Sponsors – Boule/Spear Family Dentistry, Everett Orchards, Frosty Springs Bottling Co., Hamilton Funeral Home, Peru Pharmacy and Gary & Karen Bourgeois Wheelock.   Thanks also to the following businesses and individuals who provided prizes and gifts for the golfers:  Adirondack Golf & Country Club, Adirondack Health, Golf Pro Ian S. Breen, Craig Wood Golf & Country Club, CVPH Medical Center, Harmony Golf Club, Golf Pro Willie King @ Plattsburgh Golf, Lake Placid Resort & Golf Club, Sen. Elizabeth O’C. Little, Golf Pro J. Peter Martin, Northern Orchards Co., Inc., Pasquale’s Restaurant, Rulfs Orchards, Saranac Inn Golf Club, TD Bank and Whiteface Inn Resort & Golf Club.  Thank you also to the 72 golfers who signed up and played in the tournament.

The tournament’s success is directly linked to these businesses and individuals and their support and enthusiasm ensures that Mr. B’s legacy will continue at Peru Central School. See you in 2014 for the 5^th Annual Leo Bourgeois Memorial Golf Tournament!

Sincerely,

Cheryl (Woodward) Breen-Randall

Tournament Coordinator, PCS Class of ‘66

Tournament Results:  Read more »

Capitol Confidential » Rest easy New Yorkers, sale of Eurasian boar is now banned.

More burglary charges for two Peru residents » NEW TODAY… » Press-Republican.

Seven Local Tech Companies Prove Vermont Can Lead the Nation | Seven Days.

GE still looking at “simplification” that could affect Schenectady – The Buzz: Business news.

Comptroller addresses NY’s “uneven” recovery | News from North Country Public Radio.

DiNapoli: Financial Challenges Remain for State Despite Progress, 10/15/13.

Lake George to Lake Champlain: The LaChute River Trail – The Adirondack Almanack

New York stacks the deck – The Observation Deck.