The Peru Gazette

The Peru CSD Board of Education will hold its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, at 6:00 PM in the High School Community Room. It is anticipated that an executive session will take place immediately following the 6:00 PM start and that the Board will reconvene for public session business at approximately 7:00 PM. The meeting will be recorded and will be available on the District’s website at www.perucsd.org.

The meeting is open to the public, and current District, County, State, and Federal safety procedures and protocols will be followed.

Currently, two (2) public comment opportunities are planned as follows:

First public comment:  Related to items on the agenda.  Comments are limited to three (3) minutes per speaker.

Second public comment:  Comments are limited to three (3) minutes per speaker.

Individuals who cannot attend the regular meeting in person may submit public comments by emailing perucomments@perucsd.org no later than 12:00 Noon on Tuesday, February 13^th.  Online comments are also subject to the conditions stated above.

Anticipated topics include:

• Capital Project Planning
• Workplace Violence Prevention Policy
• Personnel Appointments
• 24-25 Budget Development Meeting #2

The complete agenda will be available on the District’s website (perucsd.org).—

Peru Central School District

District Office

Chazy Junior/High School principal will take over the elementary position July 1

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An updated development agreement, which requires City Council approval, would allow for up to 350 hotel rooms and lower the number of residential units to a minimum of 350.

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“They are recognized and respected not just in our community, but regionally and nationally for their outstanding achievements.”

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Macaroni & Cheese
Fish Sticks
Macaroni
Vegetable
Bread
Dessert

Served take-out only, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at St. Augistine’s Parish Center, 3030 Mai St., Peru, NY 12972.

All are welcome!! Happy Valentine’s Day

Peru Town Board Meeting of February 5, 2024

Last September, when only one contractor submitted a bid to replace the deteriorating Cook Road culvert, Superintendent Michael Farrell recommended rejecting the bid, stating it was too high and he thought more contractors would bid in 2024. Farrell was correct! Three contractors submitted bids last week. Ed Garrow and Sons Inc. submitted a bid of $142,936, $77,064 lower than Fuller Excavating and $112,000 less than Luck Bros. Inc. Supervisor Brandy McDonald commented, “It’s a good deal for us.” Michael Farrell said he worked with Garrow before he became highway superintendent. He commented, “Garrow is a very good contractor. He may take a little longer, but his work will be as good as the other two. I’m glad we threw out the bid we got last year.” Heavy rain and the resulting high water damaged the culvert a few weeks ago. Farrell hired Fuller Excavating to do temporary repairs for $14,000; nevertheless, the cost to replace the culvert is $93,064 less than last year’s $250,000 bid.

The board renewed its computer and software service contract with the LayerEight Group of Plattsburgh. The board and staff praised LayerEight’s service, especially its rapid response times. Code Enforcement Officer Bob Guynup commented, “They’re wonderful to work with.” Budget Officer Pam Barber commented, “As I’ve said many times, it’s the best money the town’s ever spent.” The contract calls for LayerEight to be paid $2,749.95 monthly over the three-year contract. The town and LayerEight can cancel the contract with 30 days’ notice. Before hiring Layereight, the board employed several one-person operations, a frustrating experience.

The board tabled two items: the request to award compensatory time to on-call water-sewer department employees and the Planning Board’s request for a moratorium on self-storage unit construction. Supervisor McDonald said the planning board should formally request the board to take action. At a time when the town needs more users on its water-sewer system to finance operations and upgrades, self-storage units would not need water and sewer services. The moratorium would not affect the two in-progress applications.

Bob Guynup told the board that Planning Board member Ali Webbinaro wants Peru to participate in the NYS Pro-Housing Communities Program. Last August, Governor Kathy Hochul launched the statewide initiative to give participating entities priority consideration for up to $650 million committed to housing growth, including affordable housing. Supervisor McDonald said we need affordable housing and that existing projects have a four to – five-year waiting list. However, he cautioned that having a competent entity operate the units is the most critical issue. Citing projects in the City and Town of Plattsburgh, he said some projects can be community-positive while others can be community-negative. Bob Guynup said it would benefit the board to learn more details from Ali Webbinaro.

The board would like to fill the open recreation assistant position. Recreation Director Kristen Marino said she’s made people aware of the opening; however, there hasn’t been a positive response. Brandy McDonald asked the Peru Gazette to publicize the open job.

When asked for comments under “Other Business,” new board member Eric Duqette, a contractor by profession, addressed the staff, saying, “I’ve had the opportunity to work with a lot of municipalities. I’ve got to say I’m excited to be involved with you guys.” Giving a thumbs up, Duquette said, “Seeing you firsthand, you know what you’re doing. I’m glad to be a part of it.” (Note – On February 8, Duquette told the Peru Gazette his praise applies to all the town employees and department heads.)

“Ten cars of a cargo train carrying plastic pellets and cooking oil derailed in upstate New York, with two ending up in a river, authorities said.”

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Schenectady, N.Y. – Salvation Army bellringers at Price Chopper/Market 32 stores in New York, Vermont, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire raised nearly $580,000 through its six-week “Red Kettle” holiday campaign. The money raised – $81,000 more than last year- will benefit those in need throughout the communities where the funds were collected.

“The annual Red Kettle campaign has become an integral part of the holiday season – both in our stores and our communities,” said Pam Cerrone, Price Chopper/Market 32 director of community relations. “Being able to extend ourselves and welcome our community partners in support of friends and neighbors in need is a blessing.”

“The Salvation Army is incredibly thankful for its continuing partnership with Price Chopper/Market 32 stores,” said Major Kevin Stoops, Divisional Commander for The Salvation Army, Empire State Division. “Each Christmas season, Salvation Army Red Kettles in front of these stores raise money, which helps The Salvation Army provide food, clothing, and many other services to local families and individuals in need throughout the year. Thank you to our generous partners and donors for helping to make real change happen in the lives of others.”

The Salvation Army and Price Chopper/Market 32 have been collaborative partners in the communities they serve for more than 35 years.

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Building repairs, Energy Performance Contract are on the ballot

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Clinton County Historical Association

To be a leap year, the year number must be divisible by four – except for end-of-century years, which must be divisible by 400. This means that the year 2000 was a leap year, although 1900 was not. 2024, 2028, 2032 and 2036 are all leap years.

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‘Persistent felon’ sentenced for Bikeway crash that claimed two lives and left another seriously injured

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Chili
Rice
Fruit
Bread
Dessert

Served take-out only, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at St. Augustine’s Parish Center, 3030 Main St., Peru, NY 12972

All are welcome!!!!!!!

By John T Ryan (Please share)

Many North Country residents know James “Jim” Howard Jr. in many roles, as a longtime Peru Central School educator, Education Director at Mountain Lake PBS, and SUNY Plattsburgh professor. Soon, Jim Howard may be known as a successful, entertaining author. His book Reflections on a Father and His Son has been released and is on sale on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Champlain Centre’s Bookburgh.  

Howard’s book traces his personal and family history from Scottville, a small Hudson Valley community, to another small town, Rouses Point, NY, where his family settled after his father accepted a position at Ayerst Laboratories. Howard was ten years old when he arrived in Rouses Point. A rebellious kid in the Hudson Valley, he continued his adventures and misadventures in Rouses Point. His teens were characterized by poor school grades and resisting authority, especially his father’s authority. Fortunately, good people surrounded him, including his patient, loving parents and family, other Rouses Point residents, and Champlain Central School teachers. One of those teachers changed his life direction. 

Most boys growing up in the 1950s and 1960s undoubtedly share Howard’s memories, whether it be their first bike, a summer job, cap gun and cherry bomb escapades, fort-building, starting a fire that got out of control, wanting to wear engineer boots, and building a toboggan or raft. Police Chief Robert Maskell, Bud Moore, Mr. Niles, Fort Blunder, the D&H Railroad, Mrs. Papin, and The North Countryman are names engraved in Northern tier history and included in Howard’s life story. 

When asked who would enjoy reading his book, Jim Howard responded, “I think people who struggled with their parents.” 

Reading Reflections on a Father and His Son, your Peru Gazette editor laughed a lot and got tearful a few times when recalling my childhood experiences and friends. I realized how lucky I was to have grown up, like Jim Howard, with loving parents and a caring community. I’m grateful to Jim for having evoked those memories. Howard’s book offers something to almost everyone. 

Peru  – Pancakes Plus Breakfast on Sunday, February 11, served by the St. Augustine’s Knights of Columbus, St. Augustine’s Parish Center, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. $10 for adults, $5 children 5 to 11, Children under 5 are Free. Take-outs are $10. Everyone is invited!