The Peru Gazette

Rutgers scandal shows ugly underbelly of college sports « The In Box.

Transportation Museum to hold grand reopening » NEW TODAY… » Press-Republican.

Watertown Daily Times | Listening session scheduled in Watertown to discuss force structure at Fort Drum.

By Donald McBrayer

The Town Board held their regular meeting on Monday, April 9th. Everyone was in attendance.

The Board discussed issues with the new Peru Town Court schedule.  The Court’s convening time was recently moved from Tuesday at 5PM to 2PM. In March, Judge James Kirby told the Board that a change in the Town of Plattsburgh’s court hours made it difficult for certain attorneys to represent clients in the Peru Court.  A problem with the Sheriff’s Department shift change was also mentioned during the course of the discussion. The schedule change was not brought before the Town Board before being implemented.

Town Councilor Kregg Bruno stated he does not support closing the Town Hall to public business at 2PM on Tuesdays. He suggested that court should convene at 3PM or be moved downstairs. Bruno noted that court goes as late as 7:30PM, and he did not see why a Sheriff’s Department shift change should affect the Peru Town Court.

A suggestion that people awaiting court not be allowed in the Town Hall was rejected because of the fact the Town Hall is open to the public. Town Attorney Don Biggs noted that he saw no reason why people who arrive early couldn’t be asked to leave until court is scheduled to begin. Town Councilor Jim Douglass noted the Board is willing to work with the Court and the Sheriff Department to find the best solution. Town Councilor Brandy McDonald told the Board he would contact Clinton County Sheriff Dave Favro to discuss the shift change and why it should affect the Court schedule. The Board decided to hold off making a decision until they have all the facts.

The Board then discussed the ongoing vandalism at the Little Ausable Park. W/S Superintendent Greg Timmons showed a slideshow of the ongoing damage. The slideshow contained  photos of a bench that was smashed, the wood from the bench floating in the pond, several shots of broken wood and  lattice on the gazebo, a broken picnic table and graffiti. Town Supervisor Pete Glushko noted that the State Police is frequently called, but by time they arrive the vandals are long gone. It was suggested the Town purchase a basic security system in the $500 range to monitor the park. After a bit of discussion, the Board decided to install a camera system at the park that will record activity 24-hours a day and be accessible online. The cameras will have night vision capability and can be controlled remotely via Internet access. Mr. Timmons said he could have the cameras up and running in a few days.

In Other Business the Board: Read more »

Moody’s says N.Y. pension smoothing plan ‘a stopgap with long-term risks’ | The Ithaca Journal 

‘Fiscal stress’ in upstate NY – Times Union.

Coup against Silver? Cuomo’s the one feeling the heat – City & Region – The Buffalo News.

Gov. Cuomo vows to fight corruption, says feds indicting New York Legislature’s entrenched culture – NYPOST.com.

Concerts slated for Crete Center » Local News » Press-Republican.

Watertown Daily Times | On the job, in the groove.

Civil War: The Four Tupper Brothers | The Adirondack Almanack.

New-look Craig Wood gears up for season – AdirondackDailyEnterprise.com |

Investigate the Public Campaign Finance System, Mr. Bharara – William F. B. O’Reilly.

Cuomo stuck with fixing mess – Times Union.

Watertown Daily Times | After early planting last year, cold weather forces farmers to wait.

Official welcoming for new president – AdirondackDailyEnterprise.com 

Optometrist’s eyes opened by Nicaraguan poverty » Local News » Press-Republican.

Tribe: PCB remedy disappointing » Local News » Press-Republican.

Region’s health roadmap points to problems » Local News » Press-Republican.

Willsboro School Board heads back to class – Denpubs.com.

Did the EPA put jobs ahead of the environment? « The In Box.

Plattsburgh, NY – Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it has finalized its Grasse River Superfund plan for Massena New York.  As part of the plan, Alcoa is expected to assume $243 million in costs associated with the project.  The announcement comes on the heels of Alcoa’s recent commitment to invest $52 million for modernization at their Massena operation and to support local economic development.

Congressman Bill Owens issued the following statement on EPA’s announcement:

“Finalizing a plan to clean up the Grasse River is another positive step forward for Alcoa, for workers and labor at the facility and for their families in the community,” said Owens.  “Today’s announcement eliminates a roadblock that has created uncertainty around Alcoa’s modernization, and I applaud this progress.”

Alcoa’s work on the Grasse River stems from a superfund order issued by the EPA in the late 1980’s.  According to the EPA’s announcement, the plan includes a cleanup along a 7.2 mile stretch of the Grasse River contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs.  The cleanup effort will include a mix of dredging and capping activities.

Regular Mtg Agenda April 8 2013

Vallee takes Costco approval to court | Burlington Free Press | burlingtonfreepress.com.

Shorter winters chip away at a logging town’s future — The Daily Climate.