The Peru Gazette

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Supervisor Brandy McDonald said the road was to be closed at 2:30 p.m. until urther notice. 

See the previous Peru Gazette story for more details

Progress continues toward the entirely new U.S. border crossing at Rouses Point and the modernization and expansion of the U.S. crossing at Trout River. The North Country Chamber helped to secure the funding for both projects in the federal Infrastructure Bill two years ago and we have actively taken part in the review process for the designs by the General Services Administration since then.

Rouses Point will feature a completely new port of entry closer to the border and including a new facility for the clearance of Amtrak passengers arriving in the U.S. from Montreal. Construction contract solicitation is now open, with construction due to begin this October.

Project design for Trout River is due for completion by late summer/early fall, with a construction start in early spring of 2025. Both projects will have a construction duration of approximately two years from their starts.

We view both projects as next steps for our longtime commitment to “Ports of Excellence” at all of the North Country’s northern border crossings which began with $170 million in facilities at Champlain twenty years ago.

Plattsburgh YMCA receives $125,000 toward new facility

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All performances are free and open to the public

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“…New Yorkers will get 20 hours of paid time off from work for healthcare appointments during pregnancy.”

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Speaker Carl Heastie today announced that the Enacted State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2024-25 Budget includes a $3,000 tax credit to help small businesses invest in retail theft prevention measures.

“Small businesses are at the very core of our communities, and the Assembly Majority is committed to getting them the tools and resources they need,” Speaker Heastie said. “This tax credit will help them invest in theft prevention measures and keep their businesses and their employees safe.”

The enacted budget implements a $3,000 tax credit for small businesses investing in retail theft prevention. Businesses with 25 or fewer employees would qualify for the credit if their retail theft prevention expenses exceed $4,000 and businesses with between 26 and 50 employees would qualify if their expenses exceed $6,000.

As The Service Industry Continues to Recover, To-Go Drinks Are Extended and Outdoor Dining Is Made Permanent

Additional ABC Commission Recommendations Are Put In Place, Bringing More Opportunities for Small Businesses

With the enactment of the FY2025 Budget, the State Liquor Authority is highlighting significant changes to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law. These measures will continue Governor Hochul’s goal of modernizing the state’s often-antiquated ABC laws by injecting common sense and collaboration into New York’s alcohol industry.

“This 24-25 budget process is a successful one for our agency,” said State Liquor Authority Chair Lily Fan. “It has been our long-standing intention to seek changes to our statute that would allow us to better support our applicants and licensees. We wholeheartedly thank the Governor, her team, and our partners in both Houses for approving and delivering this package of improvements that will help members of our industry operate better. We look forward to continuing to support the modernization effort in the future while ensuring public safety, health, and welfare.”

Several proposals included in this year’s budget are recommendations from a report issued in May 2023 by the Commission to Study Reform of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law. Other items in the FY25 Enacted Budget address outdated statutes while enhancing the customer experience with more options to support a key cog in the State’s economy.

In the FY2023 Budget, Governor Hochul tasked the temporary Commission to Study Reform of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law, 21 members comprised of state agency heads and a diverse set of industry stakeholders, with voting to recommend changes to modernize and simplify the state’s 90-year-old ABC Law. Their efforts resulted in 18 recommendations to be considered for future legislative changes by the New York State Legislature.

Governor Hochul signed two of those recommendations into law in October of 2023, while three more are included in this year’s Enacted Budget:

• Alcohol To-Go – A 5-year extension will allow for the current “drinks to go” provision to continue through 2030, with those 5 years commencing from 2025.

• Community Notification – Allows applicants to simultaneously apply for a license and notify their municipality, and provides the SLA will not act on the application for 30 days in order to allow time for municipal input in the licensing process.

• One-Day Event Permits – Expands one-day special event permits to allow for the service of liquor. These one-day permits were previously restricted to beer and wine. This change creates parity for New York craft beverage manufacturers, in addition to providing catering businesses more opportunities by expanding their offerings.

• Temporary Wholesaler Permits – Creates a new permit to allow for wholesale applicants to obtain a temporary permit while their license is pending, allowing these businesses to begin operations more expeditiously.

Other business and guest-friendly measures include:

• Expanding Catering permits – The budget removes the requirement mandating catering permits be issued only for indoor functions or events, expanding opportunities for the hospitality industry and their customers.

• Wine/Liquor Stores at Street Level – The budget eliminates a Prohibition era law that required liquor stores to be located at street level in order to qualify for a license.

• Temporary Retail Permits – Extends the issuance of temporary retail permits to get businesses open and operating quickly.

• Allowing Liquor Beverage Sales in Movie Theaters – The Budget allows for the service of spirits, in addition to beer and wine, at movie theaters that do not meet the definition restaurants, which required a full kitchen with meals served to guests seated at tables.  Previously, movie theaters not operating as restaurants were limited to beer and wine only.

• Makes Outdoor Dining Permanent – The budget makes permanent the service of alcohol on contiguous and non-contiguous municipal space, with the authorization of the municipality and the SLA, in addition to addressing service across bike lanes, thereby eliminating statutory ambiguity. This highly successful pandemic-era policy provision was set to expire on July 5, 2025.

Speaker Carl Heastie and Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Deborah J. Glick today announced that the Enacted State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2024-25 Budget invests $2.5 billion in funding for the environment, including $400 million for the New York State Environmental Protection Fund (EPF).

“Safeguarding the environmental health and natural resources of our state remains a vital priority for the Assembly Majority,” said Speaker Heastie. “The investments in this budget will continue to support the vital initiatives and programs that protect our ecosystems, mitigate pollution and keep our water safe to drink.”

“Protecting the environment is not only a matter of public health and safety but also about economic vitality,” said Assemblymember Glick. “This budget reflects a continued commitment to reducing air and water contamination, promoting ecological sustainability and preparing responsibly for the challenges of climate change.”

The budget also allocates $500 million to support New York’s clean water infrastructure under the Clean Water Infrastructure Act (CWIA).

In 2015, the Assembly Majority spearheaded the effort to pass the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act (WIIA) to provide municipalities assistance in funding water quality infrastructure projects through a series of grant programs with $2.4 billion awarded over the last nine years. In 2017, the Assembly expanded its efforts through the CWIA and has since provided $5.5 billion for clean water projects across the state including the $500 million allocated in the Enacted SFY 2024-25 Budget. These proposals were originally championed by Assemblymembers Steve Otis and John McDonald, both former mayors, and advocates for addressing municipal infrastructure costs.

“In this budget, we continue New York’s nation-leading commitment to funding local clean water projects,” said Assemblymember Otis. “Our array of grant programs ensures that we can continue progress on important water quality projects without overburdening local budgets and property taxpayers. The Assembly has been at the forefront in supporting these programs.

“As a former mayor, I understand the impact this funding has on overextended local governments,” said Assemblymember McDonald. “This money provides local municipalities the opportunity to rebuild their water infrastructure and provide clean drinking water for generations of residents.”

Funding for The Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) provides the following:

• $47 million for Public Access & Stewardship, including $10 million for Adirondack and Catskill visitor safety and wilderness protection;
• $39.5 million for land acquisition;
• $26 million for municipal parks;
• $22.5 million for the Oceans and Great Lakes Initiative;
• $22.25 million for the Water Quality Improvement Program;
• $21 million for farmland protection;
• $20 million for Zoos, Botanical Gardens, and Aquaria (ZBGA);
• $19 million for municipal recycling;
• $18.5 million to combat invasive species;
• $17.25 million for Soil & Water Conservation Districts;
• $15.25 million for Climate Resilient Farms Program;
• $14.3 million for waterfront revitalization;
• $13 million for environmental justice; and
• $3.5 million for the Finger Lakes Lake Ontario Protection Alliance.

The Enacted Budget also establishes a fund to support air quality improvement projects in communities where the air quality exceeds federal ozone levels. Funds spent will be allocated to disadvantaged communities proportional to the percentage they represent within the overall communities the projects will serve.

Clinton County (-0.4%) Growth driven by New York City, with several upstate regions experiencing a year-over-year decline for the quarter.

Local government sales tax collections totaled $5.6 billion in the first calendar quarter (January-March) of 2024, an increase of 1.6%, or $87.3 million, compared to the same quarter last year, the lowest rate of growth since the first quarter in 2021, according to a report released today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. This growth was largely driven by New York City, with several upstate regions experiencing a year-over-year decline for the quarter.

“Local sales tax collections in the first quarter showed modest year-over-year growth, led by New York City and its resurgent hospitality industry,” DiNapoli said. “The numbers from the city signal a healthy tax base and a return to its pre-pandemic role as a major driver of sales tax growth in the state. Collections outside the city were relatively flat, resulting from a variety of economic influences.”

Tourism Strong Again in New York City

In the first quarter of 2024, New York City saw a 3.2%, or $79.4 million, increase in collections, accounting for nearly all statewide growth. The city’s first quarter collections represented over 45% of total statewide collections for the first time since 2019, after having dipped to 41%, on average, in 2020 and 2021.

New York City’s growth reflects a tourism industry that has nearly fully recovered from the effects of the pandemic, in terms of the number of visitors and the economic activity being generated. In addition, hotel occupancy has improved and both business travel and Broadway attendance are seeing increased activity.

Rest of State Remains Flat

First quarter collections for the counties and cities in the rest of the state, in aggregate, were virtually flat (-0.03%), year over year. This marked the first time that quarterly collections have not grown since the first quarter of 2021, though it was not unusual to see flat growth, or even declines, on a quarterly basis prior to the pandemic.

On a county-by-county basis, Westchester County had the strongest growth at 12.7%, followed by the counties of Sullivan (12.4%) and Allegany (7.3%). Yates County had the steepest decline at -7.1%, followed by Franklin County (-6.8%), as well as the counties of Erie and Delaware, at -6.4% each.

A majority of cities (12 of 18) outside of New York City that impose their own sales tax experienced year-over-year growth in the first quarter. Oswego had the strongest increase at 15.3%, followed by Glens Falls (8.4%) and Saratoga Springs (7.6%). Of the six cities that saw declines, Norwich experienced the steepest drop at -7.3%.

Report

First Quarter 2024 Local Sales Taxes

Data

Regional Table

Related Report

Local Sales Taxes for 2023

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“As of April 1, 2024, the department has 66 sworn officers and is working to bring that number to 87. Many of those 66 officers are in special positions or injured. There are 15 supervisors, 10 detectives, seven airport officers, and three special assignment officers, leaving the total number of officers patrolling at 24.”

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Once again, the twice-yearly Granny’s Attic Unique Boutique sale is this Saturday, April 27, 9 a.m.—4 p.m., and Sunday, April 28, 10 a.m.- 2 p.m., at the Peru Community Church Fellowship Center, 13 Elm St, at the corner of Routes 22 and 22B in the heart of Peru. All are welcome!!

The variety and number of items this Spring is phenomenal. Donations ready for sale for antique and collectible lovers include an over 50-year-old solid wood double-bed frame crafted in Peru by a local woodworker, plus several wooden chairs, trunks, and small tables ready for restoration. Vintage tea sets from around the world, old harness bells, a candle form, and metal bait buckets are here. From kitchenware, dishes & glassware to holiday decor, books, toys, games & puzzles, bed linens and blankets, to small appliances, jewelry, and original art and picture frames — There is something for everyone! (No clothing or computers or TVs, though…)

Doors open promptly at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 27 (and Sunday at 10 a.m.). Items are priced reasonably, with most half-price on Sunday. An additional sale of any leftovers is planned for Saturday, May 4th, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., where most everything you can fit in a shopping bag will be $2.00 or $3.00, depending on bag size.

We thank the church family and greater community for donating such beautiful treasures. Come and bring a friend to see (and buy) all the unique and interesting items available for you and your home. All proceeds benefit the Church missions, programs, and general fund.

The Peru Community Church is celebrating over 200 years of ministry to Peru and the surrounding areas. The church is a federation of the United Methodist and Presbyterian USA Protestant denominations. These earliest churches in Peru began in 1802-1811 (Methodist Episcopal) and 1822 (Presbyterian & Congregational). Our new logo re-emphasizes the Faith-Fellowship-Family found here in this faith community. Worship services are on Sundays at 9 am in the historic sanctuary at 12 Elm St, in person and via Zoom. www,perucommunitychurch.com. Office 518-643-8641.

Do you have questions or need more information on the Granny’s Attic Unique Boutique sale? Please call or text Barb Benkwitt, sale coordinator, at 518-565-6263 or email barbbenkwitt@charter.net.

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Peru Town Board April 22 Meeting highlights: 

Responding to a request from Assemblyman Billy Jones, the board unanimously approved a resolution supporting renaming the “Carpenter’s Flats Bridge” in the Town of Peru (NYSDOT#1005970) the “Captain Christopher J. Garrow Memorial Bridge.” The Town of AuSable passed a similar resolution. The New York State Police presented the name change request to Assemblyman Jones. Possessing the towns’ resolutions, Assemblyman Jones will present a bill to the New York State Assembly requesting the name change. It must go through the normal legislative process.

New York State Police Captain Garrow passed away on June 12, 2023, from an illness stemming from his assignment at the World Trade Center following the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001. Garrow was in New York City to aid in the search and recovery efforts as a member of the New York State Police. Captain Garrow was a Peru High School graduate who resided near the Carpenter’s Flats Bridge.

The board debated the town’s sick leave policy.

The town’s personnel handbook states that an employee “may be” required to provide a doctor’s written statement if an absence exceeds three days. The agenda resolution would have changed the doctor’s statement policy to “will be” required. Town Attorney Matt Favro recommended the change in response to a question. He said it would ensure that all employees work under the same policy. Water-Sewer-Parks Superintendent Courtney Tetrault stated that he uses discretion when asking for a doctor’s statement because he knows and trusts his employees. He also cited concerns about confidentiality and insurance deductible costs. Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell said he always requires a written statement. Following an extended discussion, the board agreed that Councilmen Eric Duquette and Kregg Bruno would meet with department heads to develop a uniform policy. Matt Favro said the board could establish a set number of total days off each year (i.e., replacing sick time and vacation time), leaving it up to employees to take earned days off at their discretion. 

The Zoning Board of Appeals needs alternate members

Code Enforcement Officer Bob Guynup reported that the Zoning Board of Appeals badly needs alternate members. Guynup mentioned the April 17 meeting when two members had valid reasons for being unable to attend. Because a majority vote is required, the three board members present who attended would have had to vote 3-0 to approve the application. An applicant can request a delay; however, delays hurt Peru’s reputation as an efficient, well-run community. The individual representing the April 17 applicant traveled from New Haven, Connecticut, to attend the zoning board meeting. The board tabled the application pending the applicant’s response to questions the board posed at the meeting. 

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