The Peru Gazette

DMV lets you renew license online | Star-Gazette | stargazette.com.

Diane Haight (Right) supervises a voter’s sign-in

Peru – Election Day, November 5, 2013 – As of 1:25 PM 662 voters had cast ballots in Peru, 16% of the community’s registered voters. Voters have until 9 PM to cast ballots at the St. Augustine’s Parish Center, 3030 Main Street. Voting is traditionally heaviest in late afternoon and early evening. In 2010, also a non-presidential election year, 2,006 voters cast ballots.

Peru Election officials worked very hard to make voting as easy as possible with sample ballots for the candidates and the Constitutional Amendments on display.

Peru has 4,124 registered voters including:

• 1,640 – Republican
• 1,204 – Democrat
• 896 – Blank
• 312- Independence
• 37 – Conservative
• 26 – Working Families
• 9 – Green

Bob Manchester and Judy Twining are longtime election workers

The Peru Lions Club will host its annual Election Day Spaghetti Dinner today at the Peru Community Church Fellowship Center. It will be served from 4:30 PM to 7 PM. Adults $7; children 6 to 12, $4; under 6, free.  The Lions do a lot of great work in the Peru community and this is one of most important functions!  The Peru Gazette will be there!

The Peru Town Board will conduct a Public Hearing on the Town’s 2014 Preliminary Budget on Wednesday, November 6, 2013 at 6:30 PM. The Board will accept comments on the budget.

The Peru Gazette hopes to provide more information on the budget prior to the Pubic Hearing if time permits.

Click Here to Review Preliminary Budget 2014

Regular Mtg Agenda Nov4 2013

Town of Peru 2013 Sample Ballot 

Election Day is Tuesday, November 5, 2013.

There are also six NYS Constitution Amendments to be voted on. Please review them carefully. They are very important to several communities and New York residents.

Six Amendments to the NYS Constitution

Note that although his name appears on the ballot Democrat Kregg Bruno has indicated that he is not interested in being Town Supervisor.  He did not sign the required paperwork to officially withdraw. Both the Peru Gazette and the Press Republican reported his declaration of non-interest in the office. Click here for our previous story.

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Tax Collections and Spending Below Projections through Mid-Year

Zoning Board Agenda of 112013

         New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Joe Martens invites fifth graders to showcase their artistic talents and help to increase public awareness about trees in New York by participating in the annual national Arbor Day Poster Contest. “Trees play a vital role in the lives of New Yorkers and are a vital part of our ecosystem,” Commissioner Martens said. “Whether someone is tapping a maple tree in early spring or relaxing in the shade of a tree on a hot summer day, trees are integral to our quality of life.  I encourage fifth graders to join in our celebration of trees by drawing, sketching or painting their favorite trees and showcasing why trees are important in our daily lives.”

           Read more »

AuSable Forks man killed in Fla. crash » Breaking News » Press-Republican.

Main Street prior to the May 18, 1921 fire; current Peru Hardware on left

Main Street following the fire.

May 18, 1921 Peru, NY – “Almost an entire block of residences, stores, garages and barns in the Peru Village were burned to the ground early this morning…” These were the first words in a Plattsburgh Daily Press story that described the tragic fire that destroyed almost all the buildings in the block between today’s Main Street, Pleasant Street, Mason Street and Elmore Street. When the fire subsided only what is today’s Peru Hardware and an adjoining small building remained standing.  In 1921 it was known as the Clough Store. Peru Volunteer Department did not exist at this time; Peru relied on the Fire Department from Plattsburgh. Click here to see a larger presentation of the photos.

Here is the account of the fire that appeared in the 2003 printing of History of Peru, New York authored or edited by Lincoln Sunderland. 

The pictures presented here were part of the “Peru’s Busy Past” exhibition at the Clinton County Historical Museum.  The Peru Gazette thanks Peru Historians Ron and Carol Allen, The Clinton County Historical Association and Lincoln Sunderland for their cooperation.

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Title: Catholic Daughters Harvest Dinner – Nov. 17th
Location: St. Augustine’s Parish Center
Description: The Catholic Daughters, Court St Monica of the St Augustine’s church in Peru, NY will be hosting their annual Harvest Dinner on Sunday, November 17th, from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. The menu will consist of Virginia Baked Ham, roasted potatoes, tossed salad, vegetables, fall fruit cups, dinner rolls and beverages. The cost will be $9.00 adults, $8.00 for Seniors, Children 3-10 – $5.00 and under 3 will be free. Proceeds to be used to further various charitable activities.

Start Time: 15:00
Date: 2013-11-17
End Time: 18:00

John Facteau

Kathleen Flynn

On Tuesday, November 5th, Peru voters will have the opportunity to either reelect incumbent Town Clerk/Tax Collector Kathleen Flynn or to elect her challenger John Facteau.  The Peru Gazette posed five questions to each candidate and they were kind enough to respond.

1. Summarize your educational background, primary employment history, a little about your family and community involvement.

John Facteau: I grew up in Saranac, NY and graduated from Saranac Central School and two years of BOCES (as known now as CV tech) with the carpentry trade. Since graduating in 1973, I have worked in the construction field, both residential and commercial construction. Also working many years for people who need work done. My primary employment was the New York State Department of Correctional Services with the responsibility of Construction Manager of 18 Correctional Facilities. I was responsible of estimating, planning, purchasing, supervising employees, keeping records of all funding and activities of projects. This employment ended in September of 2010 with retirement of 30 years.

Kathleen Flynn: I am a 1981 graduate of Peru Central High School, 1984 Graduate of Clinton Community College with An Associate’s Degree in Human Services, and 1986 Graduate of Plattsburgh State University with a Bachelor Degree in Psychology.

I have been married to John Flynn for 26 years (St. Augustine’s Church) and we have three children.  Morgan, 21 Senior at Siena College, William, 20 Junior at Plattsburgh State and Maddison, 16 Junior at Peru Central School.  John and I are active with the Peru Youth Commission, I am an active member of the Peru Lions Club, Peru Athletic Hall of Fame Committee, Peru and Clinton County Republican Committee member and consistent volunteer for the Peru Applefest.

2. How does/will your background assist you as town clerk/tax collector? 

John Facteau: I believe that with my background it will be more then assist me as Peru Town Clerk/Tax Collector, with dealing with the people in the Town of Peru with good and accurate record filing, collecting school and land taxes and record filing.

Kathleen Flynn: Because I have held this position for the past 11 years, my background is an asset as it gives me the skills to understand what a community member needs when they enter my office.  I have the experience and knowledge to either serve the resident immediately, or re-direct them to the office or community member that they are seeking.

3. What is the most important duty of the town clerk/tax collector? 

John Facteau: The most important duty as Town Clerk/Tax Collector is working for the people, issuing dog licenses, hunting and fishing licenses, collecting school and land taxes sending taxes due to taxpayers and sending paid receipts to taxpayers. Be there for the people of the town.

Kathleen Flynn: I can honestly say that there is not one duty that is more important than any other.  While collecting taxes comes to the forefront, I can promise that I balance to the penny daily, and your money is deposited immediately. I work 6 days a week to ensure that all tax payments are posted in a timely manner.  With that being said, I also place great emphasis on each resident that walks through the Town Hall door needing assistance from my office.  I pride myself on serving the public in a timely efficient manner.

4.  How would/do you perform this duty?  

John Facteau: The description of the duties as Town Clerk/Tax Collector is exactly how I would perform and look further into how I could do it better for the town and its people.

Kathleen Flynn: I am in the office five days per week and if I take time off, I offer my personal cell number to the employees within the Town Hall.  They all understand that I am available at any time.

5. In campaigning for the office, what is the most frequent concern regarding the office town clerk that the voters have expressed to you? How will you address this concern? 

John Facteau: In campaigning the most asked question concerns is when is the Town Clerks/Tax Collectors office open, and unable to contact the Town Clerk/Tax Collector. On this note, I would address this in a concerned way of being at the town hall 4.days a week and 1.evening so all of the town’s people would have access to the town.

Kathleen Flynn: Actually, people have been extremely happy (or so they say!) with my job performance.  Keeping taxes down is always a concern- my response is that I take care of your money, I don’t determine how much you have to pay!

James Douglass

Lana Knight

Donald McBrayer

Next Tuesday, November 5, 2013 voters will go to the polls to cast their ballots for their preferred candidates for office.  There are two open seats on the Peru Town Council and three candidates are seeking election to office.  The Peru Gazette contacted James Douglass, Lana Knight and Donald McBrayer and asked each person to respond to five questions. Here are the questions and the candidate responses.

1. Summarize your educational background, primary employment, a little about your family and community involvement. Read more »

PAUL SMITHS, NY Peter Forrence of Peru has joined the board of trustees of Paul Smith’s College in Paul Smiths, N.Y. Forrence is co-owner and head of sales, marketing and storage at Forrence Orchards, an 1,100-acre farm in Peru that has been honored by the New York State Agricultural Society for its century-long history. The fourth-generation family farm specializes in McIntosh, Honeycrisp and Cortland apples. Previously, Forrence had been a vice president at Goldman Sachs. He is married with two children. Forrence’s appointment to the board was effective in May. Click here to read a Strictly Business Magazine article on Mr. Forrence.

ABOUT PAUL SMITH’S COLLEGE

At Paul Smith’s College, it’s about the experience. We are the only bachelor’s degree-granting institution of higher education in the Adirondacks. Our programs, in fields including hospitality, culinary arts, forestry, natural resources, entrepreneurship and the sciences, draw on industries and resources available in our own backyard while preparing students for successful careers anywhere.

On the web: http://meritpages.com/achievements/Peter-Forrence-named-a-trustee-of-Paul-Smiths-College/7446272.

An exciting new beef nutrition program inspired by a study of World War II concentration camp survivors is focus for the Fall 2013 Northern New York Beef Week program organized by the Cornell Cooperative Extension Northern New York Regional Livestock Team.

In a November 7 webcast to four locations across the Northern NY region, Ted Perry, a Marketing Beef Nutritionist and Beef Technical Services Manager with Land O’Lakes Purina Feed, Kansas City, KS, will explain how a human health study of war survivors has led to a new beef cattle feeding program designed to encourage the in-utero nutrition of calves. Read more »

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Wired Education: Adirondack Learning And The Internet – The Adirondack Almanack 

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.