The Peru Gazette

New York Nonprofits Giving Home Care to Developmentally Disabled Swim in State Money – NYTimes.com.

After Iraq, a war in the grey zone continues « The In Box.

NY: Tragic, deadly year for state’s hunters – Outdoor News: News.

Assembly line at Birds Eye plant in Fulton will roll to a stop Friday | syracuse.com.

Heavy smoke shows in Peru structure fire » Breaking News » Press-Republican.

Richard Williams, Chairman of the Town of Peru Planning Board, called the meeting of Wednesday, October 12^th, 2011 at 7:00 pm to order.  Read more »

Burglaries exceed 20; police asks public for info » Breaking News » Press-Republican.

On tap: New campaign for state’s breweries | Press & Sun-Bulletin | pressconnects.com.

Still no cause for funeral home fire – AdirondackDailyEnterprise.com 

Trudeau research may lead to new vaccines – AdirondackDailyEnterprise.com 

Trudeau, SUNY plan biotech research program – AdirondackDailyEnterprise.com |

Tax break ‘good in theory’ – AdirondackDailyEnterprise.com 

Nursing home fined over abuse allegations – AdirondackDailyEnterprise.com | News, Sports, Jobs, Saranac Lake region — Adirondack Daily Enterprise.

Richard Williams, Chairman of the Town of Peru Planning Board, called the meeting of Wednesday, July 13^th, 2011 at 7:06 pm to order.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.

ROLL CALL: RICHARD WILLIAMS, CHAIR: PRESENT, DALE HOLDERMAN, VICE CHAIR: PRESENT, ADELE DOUGLAS : PRESENT, JOHN KANOZA: EXCUSED, MARK LUKENS : PRESENT, MARK ROBINSON: PRESENT, BENJAMIN WRIGHT: ABSENT, KARA MCBRAYER (Alternate): EXCUSED, ATTY. THOMAS MURNANE: PRESENT, Code Enforcement Officer: FRANK SLYCORD: PRESENT Read more »

By John T. Ryan

The Peru Town Board reversed a longtime policy at its Monday, December 12, 2011 meeting.  The town will no longer repair or replace mailboxes damaged by town snow plows. Last winter the town paid out more than $2,500. Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell said, “We’re the only town replacing mailboxes. No one else is doing it.” Farrell said that very few mailboxes comply with Postal Service box height and post regulations making it almost impossible to not damage a few boxes. Counselor Brandy McDonald said he called six town clerks and they said their towns were not reimbursing residents for mailbox damage. Supervisor Peter Glushko said, “It’s just gotten to the point where it’s too expensive. We just can’t do it anymore.”  Glushko also noted that some elaborate mailboxes could cost the town hundreds of dollars to replace.

The sewage handling system at South Acres Trailer Park should be improved in the near future thanks to a $600,000 Community Development Block Grant secured by the Town of Peru.  The grant is part of the recently announced New York State Strategic Plan that awarded over $103 million for North Country economic development projects.  The Town of Peru applied for the grant on behalf of the private owner Tam Phung. The work to be done should enable the Phung to bring the system up to standard and to expand the park if the demand exists.  Approximately seventy families currently reside at South Acres.

Town Clerk Kathy Flynn told the counselor that 150 children have signed up for the town’s ski club program, a big increase from last year. She also said that the town’s dog licensing initiative has been successful. Early this year Dog Control Officer Kelly Allen surveyed the number of dogs in the town and informed people of the requirement to license dogs.  As a result the number of registered dogs has increased from 134 in 2009 to 336 at this time.  The licensing charge is $7.50 for a neutered or spayed dog and $15.00 for a non-neutered or non-spayed animal with slightly reduced fees for senior citizens (65+).  Click here to see the Town of Peru Dog Control Law. 

In other actions/news:

• Repairs to the Highway Department garage roof will be held off until spring in order to avoid problems associated with winter construction projects.
• The town is applying for a $1 million, five-year, no-interest loan under the Hurricane Emergency Loan Program.  The money will enable the town to pay contractors who performed Hurricane Irene-related road repairs. The loan will be repaid from expected FEMA reimbursement.  FEMA is also expected to reimburse the town in the amount of $144,000 for road repairs following our springtime flooding.
• Supervisor Glushko is finalizing the issuance of a $2.9+ million bond to finance the town’s water quality improvements. Work is expected to begin early in 2012. Glushko noted that project planning has been a team effort between the town’s engineer and the Clinton County Health Department.
• Water Superintendent Greg Timmons reported proposed expenses of $229,775 for repairs and upgrades to the town’s water tower.  Repairs and upgrades include new handrails, grating, exterior and interior coating and installation of a chlorine mixing system. Timmons hopes work can begin about April 1^st.  Town Attorney Don Biggs will determine if competitive bids are required for this project. The town engineer expressed the belief that bids may not be required. Pittsburg Tank and Tower (PTT) manufactured and installed the tank in 1976 and  performed tank maintenance. Counselor Susan Polhemus asked if a maintenance agreement with PTT had been considered. Greg Timmons said he has always believed that a maintenance agreement would be a good idea and had presented this option to the board several years ago. The cost would be about $12,000 annually and could be included in the Water Department budget.
• Supervisor Glushko informed counselors that the town’s former insurance carrier will be paying a claim in the amount of $25,000 related to flood damage to property owned by Bonnie and Stanley Tomkiewicz at 771 Bear Swamp Rd. The flooding occurred on August 8, 2008. The claimant believed that the flooding resulted from improper ditching work performed by the Town of Peru.

Updated 12/14/11 with Press Republican video

Funeral home burns in AuSable Forks (3rd update) – AdirondackDailyEnterprise.com | News, Sports, Jobs, Saranac Lake region — Adirondack Daily Enterprise.

and

The Press Republican reports 

WASHINGTON – Congressman Bill Owens announced today that there will be a moratorium on the closing or consolidation of any post office or mail processing facility until May 15, 2012. 

“This is great news for those who depend on their local postal facilities for the vital services they provide,” said Owens. “It is my hope that, during this moratorium, we will be able to convince the USPS that there are other options – like my legislation to co-locate post offices so that they remain in your community – rather than simply closing facilities.”

Congressman Owens has been active in the fight to maintain postal while helping the USPS to cut costs.  This month, Owens introduced legislation, the Community Postal Service Preservation and Cost Savings Act, which would require the USPS to review and consider co-locating post offices at retail facilities and municipal buildings. This bill would help the USPS system work better for its customers and employees while recovering funds that could be used to preserve rural mail service.

Owens has also heard from and met with thousands of constituents to gather public input on the best plan of attack to keep post offices open.  He has also kept in consistent contact with Postmaster General Donahue and Postal Regulatory Commission Chairwoman Goldway on a host of issues related to maintaining post offices and facilities around the congressional district.

“These postal facilities serve as a place to meet and gather, as an anchor for many downtown areas, and as a driver for job creation and economic development. It is critical that we work to find a solution that works best for rural areas and practices fiscal responsibility,” said Owens.

Owens is also a co-sponsor of H.R. 1351, the USPS Pension Obligation Recalculation and Restoration Act, a bipartisan piece of legislation to help the USPS recoup nearly $7 billion in overpayments to its pension fund. 

Gov. Cuomo broke a campaign promise when he agreed to raise taxes on New York’s richest residents | syracuse.com.

Watertown Daily Times | Owens rapped for Drum “earmarks”.

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Adirondack Almanack: Adirondack Resort at the APA this Week.

Adirondack Almanack: Dave Gibson: Water Resources and the Adirondack Resort.

By John T. Ryan

St. Augustine’s Church was filled to capacity Sunday night as the Keeseville-Peru Ecumenical Choir performed its 46th Annual Concert. Directed by Jeanette Woodruff and accompanied by pianist Carol Bachand and organist Steve Woodruff, the seventy member choir sang seventeen songs. Emotions ran high beginning with the very first song when the choir surrounded the 425-member audience and sang “O Come, All Ye Faithful.” Fourteen songs followed before the choir thrilled audiences with their beautiful renditions of “The Hallelujah Chorus” and “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.”

Rev. Robert Svenson of the Peru Community Church welcomed everyone and Rev. Alan Shnob of St. Augustine’s Church delivered the Christmas Message.  Rev. Shnob quoted St. Augustine who said, “Singing is like praying twice” as he emphasized how wonderful it is to have such beautiful music to celebrate the birth of Jesus.  Click here for more concert photos.  Hear the choir sing on Facebook thanks to Donald McBrayer

St. Augustine’s Knights of Columbus members and their wives served refreshments following the concert.

NYPD officer shot and killed responding to Brooklyn break-in | The Journal News | LoHud.com | LoHud.com.

Church continues gift-buying tradition for children with imprisoned parents.