The Peru Gazette

Deja vu: Rye Brook man, high on drugs, crashed twice today at same Mt. Vernon exit, cops say 

Morning Read: A growing prescription drug epidemic in North Country? « The In Box.

Adirondack men sentenced for great blue heron attack on Ausable River « The In Box.

Syracuse mayor accuses garage operator of fraud | syracuse.com.

Mayor Kiss vetoes Burlington’s downtown smoking ban

How $1.6 million slid under the radar in Hardwick 

NCPR News – “Oddball” deer illness sparks probe.

EPA questions fracking study – Times Union.

State Senate looks to add 63rd seat – AdirondackDailyEnterprise.com 

State never OK’d principal-super combo – AdirondackDailyEnterprise.com 

Benefit event to boost Scholarship Fund » Local News » Press-Republican.

Three airlines submit bids to serve Plattsburgh Airport » Local News » Press-Republican.

Cider Buzz | Seven Days.

HomeGoods store planned for Consumer Square » Local News » Press-Republican.

Peru Central gives State of District report » NEW TODAY… » Press-Republican.

6 Top New Cars At Detroit Auto Show | Business News.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg vows to sidestep union and fire half the teachers in underperforming schools | syracuse.com.

By John T. Ryan

Residents attending the Monday, January 9, 2012 Peru Town Board meeting learned that the town’s planned $3 million water system upgrades would cost a Peru water user owning a $150,000 home up approximately $100 to $200 annually over a 25 year bonding period. Town Supervisor Peter Glushko said the town will be subject to legal action and possible fines from both the Environmental Protection Agency and the Clinton County Health Department if the water quality isn’t improved. The project also includes improvements to the town’s aging water pipes and the repairs and upgrades to the water storage tanks on the Reservoir Road and in the hamlet.  Glushko said the board will seek grants and other sources of funding, but those couldn’t be guaranteed at this time. A  $3,001,500 twenty-five year water quality improvement bond would finance the project.  The board will hold community informational meetings to better inform the public.

Residents Michael Lawliss and Darrell Altizer thanked the board for maintaining the skating rink at the Little AuSable River Park. The board recently authorized repair of a damaged light pole at the rink and the fire department floods the ice. Lawliss said, “With little skiing or sliding this winter the kids need something to do.” Lawliss said that adults informally supervise the young people and that the hockey games attract several kids. Altizer mentioned the possibility of starting a sliding hill on the Heyworth Village side of the bridge. Greg Timmons assured Lawliss and Altizer that additional lighting is being installed. Installation of a second light pole was mentioned.

Responding to the needs of the Highway Department the Board accepted a $132,950 bid from Milton Cat of Milton, Vermont for a CAT DL Excavator Model 312D. A slightly lower bid was received, but it did not meet specifications. The track machine will be used for ditching at some of Peru’s beaver dams among other tasks.

Spring and Hurricane Irene related floods resulted in $1.2 million in town road repairs. While full FEMA reimbursement is expected, contractors must be paid. Therefore, the board authorized the supervisor to apply for a  $1 million, five-year, no interest federal loan.  The remaining $200,000 will be financed through short-term borrowing.  (At about the same time the NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation announced that Peru would receive the $1 million loan.)

In other actions:

• The board reappointed Rob Bashaw to a seven-year term on the Town Zoning Board.
• Supervisor Glushko reported that he had met with a representative of Security Concepts to discuss upgrading the town hall security system. Greg Timmons is pricing steel doors.  Action should be taken at the next board meeting.
• Councilman Brandy McDonald spoke about the burglaries impacting the North Country. He asked residents to report anything that “doesn’t look right” to the NYS Police. Peru’s most recent robberies on the River Road and in a more remote location took place on December 29^th and January 3^rd. There have been more than twenty recent burglaries in Peru.
• The Elmore SPCA invited the board to tour its remodeled Telegraph Road facilities on January 15^th at 1 p.m.
• Highway Superintendent Farrell asked the board if the town has an obligation to salt icy sidewalks.
• Adopted an updated Dog Licensing Law.
• Adjourned about 8:30 p.m.

Wood pellet boiler in use at Petrova – AdirondackDailyEnterprise.com 

Senate panel OKs APA board pick – AdirondackDailyEnterprise.com 

Morning Read: Freight train into Adk High Peaks sparks debate « The In Box.

Gov. Cuomo: Assembly Democrats put teachers union ahead of students – NY Daily News.

L-R Front Row: Nancy Fegan, Michelle St. Onge, Polly Lake, Sarah Davis. Back Row L-R Donna Scott, Joe Rinella, George Burrell, Harriet Burrell, Phil Madore, Peter Lake and Barbara Wagner. 

Members of the Peru Community Church Jamaican Mission were in the Fellowship Center last evening making final preparations for their Saturday departure.  An advance party is leaving today. Fifteen volunteers will make the trip this year including five first-time missioners and five who live in other parts of the United States.

The volunteers will build a house or room for a needy Jamaican family and assist at a Jamaican school and orphanage.  Their luggage is packed with school supplies, children’s clothing and other items. This is the 13th Jamaican Mission. (Click here for photos) 

On December 18, 2011 the Press Republican published an good article describing the mission trip and featuring an interview with Michelle St. Onge, one of the five first-time missioners.

The missioners include: George and Harriet Burrell, Peter and Polly Lake, Barbara Wagner, Joseph Rinella, Sarah Davis, Dan and Janet Geldert, Nancy Fegan, Brenda Roberts, Dee Doolittle, Hank Horn, Donna Scott, Jerrilynn Pratt-Mullen, Michelle St. Onge and Philip Madore.

St. Albans student got the deer; teacher gets a suspension | Burlington Free Press 

Victim in Colchester texting while driving accident speaks | Burlington Free Press