Village of Gouverneur talks COVID-19

by Rachel Hunter

Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the Village of Gouverneur Board of Trustees held its monthly meeting on March 17 in the municipal courtroom. The meeting was an abbreviated format, with all those in attendance, observing the “social distancing” six feet separation rule. Village of Gouverneur Mayor Ronald McDougall set a limit at half the municipal courtroom’s capacity, at 41.5 persons.

“It’s no secret, of course, that in St. Lawrence County, we’re under a state of emergency per the St. Lawrence County Public Health Office and Public Health Officer Dana McQuire, who is also the Village of Gouverneur’s Public Health Officer,” Mayor McDougall said. “A lot of people don’t realize that we’re under the umbrella on that with that. Public meeting and open meetings law has been amended because of (COVID-19).”

Mayor McDougall then directed the Village Trustee’s attention to the following memo to all local government leaders from the secretary to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Melissa DeRosa, dated March 16: “The rapid increase in suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19 is an unprecedented public health emergency facing all New Yorkers. As leaders in state and local government, our first and foremost responsibility is to ensure the health and safety of the public. This essential duty requires our decisive action now to slow the spread of this virus. On behalf of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and all New Yorkers, I call upon you – as executives, managers, administrators, mayors, supervisors, and leaders – to join the State of New York and limit your local government workforce to only its essential employees for the next two weeks. Specifically, all non-essential employees of local government agencies and authorities should not report to work, reducing your workforce by, at least, fifty percent (50%), until March 31, 2020. You and your local agency officials should consider essential employees as any person whose job function is essential to the effective operation of their agency or authority, or who must be physically present to perform their job, or who is involved in the emergency response to COVID-19. Non-essential employees should be considered any person who does not need to be physically present to perform their job functions, or they are not currently required to meet the core functions of their agency or authority during this emergency response. Throughout state government, non-essential employees will not be charged accruals during this time. Non-essential state employees are being directed to work from home, to the extent practicable. While they are home, these employees may be assigned work outside of their normal duties. State agencies may change an employee’s designation as either essential or nonessential at any time. Finally, state agencies will continue to recruit volunteers or mandate staff to support the critical COVID-19 response efforts across the state. The people we serve demand action. Let leadership be our legacy. Thank you.”

Mayor McDougall then made the following comments: “I did talk to Donald Dabiew, the Franklin County Legislative Chair, and he didn’t have any in his county as we don’t yet. We have some people waiting for some tests to come back, but that changed today unfortunately. There was one today in Saranac Lake, which is in Franklin County and also there is one in Plattsburgh, currently at the CVPH Hospital. I talked to the Jefferson County Chairman Scott Gray this afternoon and they didn’t have any in Jefferson County either. However, now, I guess one has been classified now in Albany but that person is a Fort Drum part-time employee and works in the Education Center. He was in Fort Drum from the 11th to the 13th, that’s Wednesday through Friday, and he’s got a positive test in Albany. Consequently the Education Center is currently shut down on Fort Drum.”

Mayor McDougall then gave the floor to St. Lawrence County Legislator District 5 Henry Leader (R-Gouverneur) who gave the following county update, detailing the special board meeting held March 16: “The declaration of emergency is, in part, to assist the school districts, to allow them to continue federal and state funding. Last night, the thing of significance was the legislature voted to empower the County Administrator Ruth Doyle with the advice and through the Office of Emergency Services and the St. Lawrence County Department of Health to take whatever measures were necessary to protect the county, and to help handle safety and health of the county… The county has also indicated a desire to go virtual, so we will probably be Skyping in electronically meeting three or four meetings. Other than that, if you walk through the county halls, there’s people with sanitizer, paper towels, and washing hands – as the board is doing here – as well as keeping distance. The recommendation is six feet, but at least three feet, and trying to avoid exposure for over 30 minutes. I will keep you apprised of anything that happens…”

Village Clerk/Treasurer Barbara Finnie then gave the following report: “We have closed off the (municipal) building to the public. I just heard today that the town court is also closed for good. They are not even opening up, until further notice. We are accepting phone calls. All three of us are here. Payments are still accepted. We are asking them to be put in the dropbox. We will make sure a receipt is mailed back to them. Births and deaths is all by phone. Put it in our box, and we’ll mail their birth and death certificates to them. So, we’re just trying to keep clean. But we’re here for all calls. Just press zero on the main line and one of us will answer it. A lot of people don’t know what extension they want to call, just press zero.”

Village of Gouverneur Recreation Department Director Casey Canell reported that the Gouverneur Recreation Center would remain closed until further notice. “We’re following Gouverneur Central School District,” Director Canell said, confirming that the closure would last until at least April 20. “Our cleaning and sanitizing plan of action is being investigated and researched, trying to figure out what options are available.” Director Canell confirmed with the village board that he was available by phone. Mayor McDougall then said, “As soon as the school closure was announced, Casey and I were on the phone with each other and Dave Spilman.”

Village of Gouverneur Chief of Police Laurina Greenhill then reported the following: “Our department probably, out everybody, has the biggest challenge to this Cornavirus for obvious reasons… It certainly poses some unique challenges. Of course, one of the first things to go was the closing of the courts by the order of the Office of Court Administration. In order to have any arraignment during business hours, we have to do an essential arraignment. We can’t arraign at our local court. I just got an email just before this meeting to clarify that we are to take them to the Ogdensburg City Court, and after hours we can call our local justice… With bail reform and everything, we’re kind of limited on what kind of arraignments we can do. I have instructed our guys to limit their exposure to the public. We don’t need to go out making random vehicle stops for no reason, unless it is necessary. We’re trying to do as much as we can over the phone… We put a sign on the door that, pretty much, if you are there only for a police matter… if you are making an inquiry, call us and we’ll try to answer your questions. Other than that, you’re going to use the intercom or we’re going to interview you through the intercom to try to limit people coming into the office. Obviously, there’s lots of times when we need to interview people, take depositions, but, if it is not a real emergency kind of case… we’re going to put that kind of stuff on the back burner for right now. We’ve encouraged them to wear disposable gloves at every interaction with the public. There’s only limited (supplies) we have on hand for this kind of stuff, but today through Public Health we got delivered some n95 masks. They kind of require some fit testing to work their best, so tomorrow we have an appointment at the fire station to do some fit testing. We also got a supply of some disposable coveralls and suits, and some more hand sanitizer. We put some disinfecting wipes in the cars. Well, the stores were all out, and we don’t have wipes, so we compromised right now and made some with paper towels, disinfectant and Ziploc bags and put them in the patrol cars. We’re going to respond in person, obviously, to personal injury accidents, certain kinds of emergencies… We’ve asked the dispatchers to the ask people when they call that if we absolutely have to respond to a residence, to ask if there is anyone in the residence with flu-like symptoms so we can assess accordingly. I know there is some communication with Public Health and the 911 Center, maybe helping us keep track of who is really under quarantine… We’ve got some teleconference meetings set up with Public Health. We put on our Facebook page too for the public to consider about not dragging themselves to the ER, communicating with the hospitals. If they have questions or anything related to Coronavirus or need assistance, they can call us and we’ll try to deal with each situation as they arise. This is a very fluid situation… it is changing all the time. I am get bombarded with emails, and I am trying to keep up with the information that is coming, and so I find myself in situations I have not had to deal with before as Chief of Police with these executive orders coming from the governor, especially the stuff with the establishments. I’ve had to weed my way through these orders and come to terms with them, but at the same time keep in the back of my mind try to balance people’s constitutional rights.”

Village of Gouverneur Department of Public Works Superintendent TJ Simmons reported the following: “The DPW is basically following protocol. We’ve got the building on lockdown. No entry to any personnel or civilians. As far as the guys out in the field, I tell them to keep their distance of at least six feet because we do have house calls and stuff like that for sewers and water lines… I want to make sure they are safe about it. I have contacted my salesman that comes once a month that lives in Albany. I’ve told him not to come. If I need anything, I’ll call him, and they can just ship what I need as far as water supplies and stuff like that. I do encourage the public not to flush paper towels, baby wipes, or napkins or rags down the toilet. Please dispose them in the garbage. That is some of the main things that we happen to pull out of people’s sewers that plugs them. So, we encourage, if it isn’t toilet paper… please do not flush it.”

When Mayor McDougall asked for Trustee comments, the sole response came from Village of Gouverneur Deputy Mayor Charles Newvine who urged to all present: “Wash your hands.”

In conclusion, Mayor McDougall said the following: “We’re in difficult times, changing times. Life is change. I’d just like to stress, like they did at the county legislature meeting last night, keep calm. I’ve heard various rumors. I don’t know what the toilet paper thing is, but… It was observed recently that an elderly couple was walking home with more toilet paper than they could use in a normal lifetime… and it is all over the country, a run on toilet paper! Another example, there was a rumor that the Price Chopper store was going to close… Ours is just going to close for five hours to restock and clean. That’s just some of the rumors going around in this difficult, challenging times. We will survive. Better days are coming. I just don’t think they are going to be this week, but long-term… have faith and God bless. We will survive this.”

The next meeting of the Village of Gouverneur Board of Trustees is scheduled to be held of Tuesday, April 21, 6 p.m., in the municipal courtroom.

Rena Weaver retires From Gouverneur Hospital

Rena Weaver, Human Resources Assistant, has retired from St. Lawrence Health System’s Gouverneur Hospital after 28 years of service.

Since 1991, Ms. Weaver served both the E.J. Noble Hospital and Gouverneur Hospital in numerous capacities, including Biller, Patient Representative, Pharmacy Technician, Inpatient Sitter, and, most recently, Human Resources Assistant.

“Throughout her time here, Rena acquired a great deal of experience across a wide spectrum of both administrative and clinical roles,” said Gouverneur Hospital CEO Eric Burch. “For nearly three decades, patients, employees, and administrators alike have benefited from her knowledge and sound judgement and her many contributions to the organization will continue to be appreciated for years to come,” added Burch.

“Rena is a very dedicated and compassionate employee who goes out of her way to help coworkers and community members,” said Gouverneur Hospital’s Human Resources Site Leader Lori-Anne McCormick. “As a member of HR, Rena led by example and held the organizations standards to the highest degree; and we are grateful for her longevity and devotion to healthcare within our community.”

Upon retirement, Ms. Weaver is spending more time engaging in her love of watching movies, spending time with family, watching NASCAR’s Jimmy Johnson, and traveling. Her future travel plans already include visiting the casinos in Atlantic City, admiring the views in Montana, and enjoying the Daytona Beach sunshine.

Colleagues joined Ms. Weaver for a reception at the Hospital where she was presented with numerous gifts, including an engraved clock, flowers, and the admiration and well wishes of her colleagues.

4-H Educator Amy Sands Feted After 24-Year Career

4-H Extension Educator Amy Sands recognized for her 24-year career with Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County at her retirement party on Sunday, March 1, 2020 at the Gouverneur Community Center. Pictured from left: CCE Executive Director Patrick Ames, Amy Sands, 4-H Youth and Family Leader/Health and Nutrition Issue Leader/SNAP-Ed Program Manager Cassondra Caswell. (Rachel Hunter photo)

by Rachel Hunter

St. Lawrence County 4-H Extension Educator Amy Sands was feted on Sunday, March 1 at the Gouverneur Community Center for encouraging countless youth “to make the best better” throughout her 24-year career with Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County.

Former and current 4-H members and leaders were invited to a retirement party held in Amy Sands’ honor from 1 to 3 p.m., and the dozens flocked to the Gouverneur Community Center to join the celebration.

Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County Executive Director Patrick Ames welcomed all in attendance, and brought the guest of honor centerstage, as the throng gave applause.

“Twenty-four years is a remarkable commitment to Extension, and Amy’s retirement is pretty significant to the organization but I think it is pretty significant to the staff that you see here in this room, the 4-H volunteers that have joined us here, and the 4-H’ers,” he said. “Her impact is very significant. But it is more than that. It is personal too. As a director, I try to refrain from using the word family when I describe staff but the reality is you can’t work alongside someone like Amy Sands for 20-plus years and not be like family. She’s been there to celebrate the birth of my kids and has had an impact on my kids. We’ve watched her grandkids grow up through 4-H. We’ve shared hard times together. She’s always been there. It’s been remarkable. So, this is much more than losing a really good 4-H educator. But it is losing a family to us.

“As a team leader… Those of you who don’t know my history, I worked in 4-H alongside Amy for years and then had the privilege of being a team leader and we worked together and I’ve got to tell you… being a 4-H educator is not an easy job. It’s a lot of long hours, long days. They can be stressful. They are always rewarding. But they are fatiguing, nonetheless. When I think back to our days at the county fair, I could always count on the fact that at the end of the week… Amy would have lost her voice. And often immediately, somehow miraculously, after the fair ended she would come down with the cold or be sick. She would always blame it on the fair dust. It was always the show ring dust that was causing it. But the reality was she put in countless, tireless hours leading up to the fair, getting ready for it, getting kids ready for it, and at the fair I don’t think there was a single program or contest that she wasn’t a part of, or didn’t have her hands on. She simply just left everything on the court, and I think her body knew at the end it had to give in… and then somehow within a week or two she was getting kids ready for the state fair and taking them down, and visiting our 4-H’ers at the state fair with livestock...

“When I think about Extension, that’s how she handled her job not only at the fair but when I think about our Maple Program at the Farm or the Spring Ag Awareness or the Farm Day Camp. She was involved in absolutely every program we had to offer, day in and day out and it was really remarkable to be part of that.

“As the director, I have to tell you that Amy is a team player and I would say that she is always put the needs of Extension over her own needs and that is a rare trait today. I’m going to think back to a specific year. It was 2016. It was a pretty tough year for us. We had created all these programs at the Extension Farm, and they were taking off like mad, and then suddenly it was one of those years where we had a whole bunch of turnover, vacancies, and I really didn’t know how we were going to get everything done. I remember commiserating with Art Hurlbut, who was on the Board of Directors at the time. I said, “I don’t really know how we are going to pull this off.” And he used a phrase I never heard before, he said, “Patrick, if you want something done, give it to someone who is already busy.” That really described Amy and her work ethic and her drive with Extension. That year, she stepped in as our After-School Director for North Wind After-School and then she stepped in as our Farm Day Camp Director and still held down everything else that was still on her plate. She did two other people’s jobs. So that year it was my privilege to give her the Director’s Award for the employee who most exemplified the spirit and ideals of Extension. It was a privilege. So, that was Amy, but that wasn’t just Amy in 2016, that was Amy every year that she worked for us.

“A lot of you don’t know this, but she was instrumental in BOCES Even Start program for years and then when we started the Advantage After School Program in Ogdensburg we assigned that to her and then for years she worked in four different school districts keeping that program afloat. She was a great liaison between Extension and that after-school program. She brought 4-H to after-school over there. She created the Farm Day Camp with me. She was there at the ground level, building that program, and now that reaches over 350 kids every summer and growing.

“But there is something about Amy that nobody knows but me… We worked together a long time and whenever we had a new educator struggling in a after-school program, I would talk to Amy and quietly assign Amy to that educator as a mentor and she would shadow them for sometimes 8-12 weeks, whatever it took and go with them to their program. She saved a couple partnerships by going into these schools and modeling positive youth development and modeling relationship building. We saw educators turn around with her guidance. It has been a wonderful resource to have and it is going to be tough to replace that too.

But lastly, I want to mention Amy’s dedication to children and to our 4-H’ers. Studies have shown that the number one factor in a child having a positive, successful youth development outcome, if you will, is that one mentor that they know will do anything for them at any cost. Amy has been that mentor for many, many 4-H’ers over the years. I wish there was some way to give you a statistic and pull a number together and say, “These are the number of lives that Amy Sands has touched.” It would be a remarkable number. It would be staggering… Working alongside of you, Amy, has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. I really appreciate everything you have done for Extension.”

Youth and Family Lead Cassondra Caswell then said the following: “4-H does have the power to change lives, as I am sure many of you as 4-H families or 4-H employees can attest to… Patrick nailed it on the head. We all have mentors. We all have people that we look up to, whether it be our club leader, our project leaders, maybe staff at Cooperative Extension and for me Amy Sands was my mentor… I know for certain my career path would not be the same if it wasn’t for (Amy). I was a quiet 17-year-old in the 4-H program and all I wanted to be was a fly on the wall. I was pretty sure I was invisible, but it was at a clothing revue event that Amy came up to me and my mom and said, “What would you think of working at our Summer Day Camp program?” I didn’t really know who this lady was at that point in my life other than she was there at 4-H events and for me, I wasn’t invisible. This lady saw me. I hope it was the potential she saw in me. From that first summer experience, I knew that 4-H was really something that I wanted to have a career in. I grew up in 4-H. I knew I loved the program, but to really see the impact that a 4-H educator has on the lives of so many people was just empowering to me. And Amy, you helped me and mentored me to learn what it meant to work with and empower youth, especially those that maybe need a little bit extra help and a little bit more love. Through my 4-H career and working at Cooperative Extension, I am very fortunate to have gotten to share 12 of your 24 years at Cooperative Extension – and I will personally never forget the impact that Amy has had on my life.”

Youth and Family Lead Caswell then told stories of Amy Sands’ trips down to the New York State Fair, teaching youth to sew, putting on the annual Dairy Camp, instructing outdoor survival skills at the Extension Learning Farm, and much more.

“Truly I want to say thank you for all your years of enrichment for not only myself, but for all these people here today that you have made an impact on and, as you are well aware, the hundreds more that are not in this room and the 4-H and Cooperative Extension staff,” Miss Caswell said. “We thank you so much for everything you have dedicated in your 24 years.”

Then it was time for the presentation of gifts. “You have left your mark on our lives and now we are leaving ours with you,” Miss Caswell said, sharing the theme of the retirement party.

Amy Sands was presented with a chicken-shaped wooden cutting board and a memory lap quilt with blocks from former extension educators, families, clubs as well as neighboring 4-H counties to extend gratitude for her 24 years of service. Miss Caswell also said the following: “We are actually trying to do something with the Maple Program. We have cut a cookie out of a tree and we are planning on making a table out of that as well. The tree did not dry in time for us to make something with it. But you will have a bit of Cooperative Extension somewhere in your home.” A memory book was also available for all those present to share treasured moments and thoughts with Amy Sands during the occasion.

Executive Director Ames also gave the floor to anyone who wanted speak to impact Amy Sands made on their lives and the crowd gathered heard from Extension staff, 4-H volunteers, 4-H leaders, 4-H parents and more for several moments. At the conclusion, all those who were impacted by her dedication through her 24-year career at Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County were invited to stand to show visibly her impact.

Amy Sands then was given the floor to address the crowd before her: “I want to thank everyone for coming, and I want to thank all the adults for sharing their children’s lives with me,” she said. ‘There is nothing more precious than a child. It’s true. I tell my own kids that. The most precious thing you ever have is your children. To be able to share somebody else’s child is great.”

The crowd enjoyed refreshments during the two-hour fete, and a decorated cake that also recognized Amy Sands’ 24 years to Extension and youth in St. Lawrence County.

A Gouverneur native, Amy (Kapfer) Sands, is a 1968 graduate of Gouverneur High School and Clinton Community College in Plattsburgh. She married John Sands, a 1967 Indian River Central School graduate, in 1972. At the retirement party, Amy was proud to introduce to the crowd her family, son Christopher and Kristie Sands, son Andrew and Jennifer Sands (children Owen, Jorja), son Rob and Jen Sands (children Tracker, Ledger, Lana, Colter). She also introduced her sister Ann (Kapfer) LaRock and Tony and Jennie Kapfer (child Jordan) and brother-in-law Jeff Sands.

Village board hears complaints on sidewalk snow removal local law

by Rachel Hunter

The Village of Gouverneur Board of Trustees at its Feb. 18 monthly board meeting heard complaints from concerned property owners regarding the village’s local law regarding sidewalk snow removal.

Village of Gouverneur Mayor Ronald McDougall encouraged the public not to enter a debate, but the Village of Gouverneur Board of Trustees allowed over an hour during the public comment period for the local residents to air their long list of grievances against the Village of Gouverneur’s Local Law No. 1 of 1999, which rescinded Local Law No. 2 of 1980, and reads in short as follows: “Every owner or occupant of property containing and/or adjoining a sidewalk within the village of Gouverneur is responsible for the removal of snow from said sidewalk if same fronts and/or adjoins a street, highway or other public road in the Village of Gouverneur. If snow shall cease falling by 5:00 pm, it shall be the duty of the occupant or owner to clear the walk of snow the same night. In case snow falls after 5:00 pm, it shall be the duty of such occupant or owner to clear the walk of snow by 8:30 am the following day.”

The first resident to address the Village of Gouverneur Board of Trustees was Joseph Nardelli, owner of 82 Park Street in the Village of Gouverneur, who asked the following: “Why did it cost $25 to send a notice on a half a sheet of paper with one stamp and one envelope? It was a $25 (administrative) fee on top of the $232. I have no problem paying the fine for the snow removal. I admit my guilt, but I think $25 for that notification is totally outrageous.”

“You have a right to your opinion,” Mayor McDougall said. “I don’t mean to debate, but some people think the $25 fee should be a lot higher. The people here, this is the public sector… and it all costs money. It all starts with people calling in to complain, turning you in. In your case, it was the United States Post Office. They turned you in for not doing that. So anyways… we have a lady here who has other things to do. There’s the mailing and the documentation of the before and after picture of the violation, and then there is the matter of getting back to the person who complained. In this case, it was the Post Office. It was easy because, as I understand it, 14 of them or something like that… and some of them went as long as a week. And so the administration fee is a part of the law.”

Village of Gouverneur Deputy Mayor Charles Newvine then said the that local law said that the Village of Gouverneur “can pass a charge at a minimum of $25, but can charge up to $100 and can also tack on the cost of what it is to remove the snow.”

“So, if the Village wanted, it could send me a letter for $100 for the letter,” Nardelli asked.

“That is correct, plus the cost of snow removal,” Deputy Mayor Newvine said.

“That’ll be a subject of the budget if it is going to be raised,” Mayor McDougall said. “Some people want to raise it. Some of the rest of us think $25 is enough. But you have to remember the person that is doing that, just like any other full-time village employee, they are getting healthcare and they are getting a lot more than $25 an hour…”

“It’s totally absurd, and I am protesting,” Nardelli said. “It is ridiculous… $25 for a half-page letter and an envelope and a stamp, totally ridiculous. Even the cities – Schenectady, Albany, Syracuse – they just came out with a fine and there is no administrative fee. I mean, what gives?”

“I didn’t make the law,” Mayor McDougall said.

“Yes, but you can reverse it too,” Nardelli said.

Luke Perrigo of 517 Smith Road in Gouverneur later in the public comment period asked: “Back to the sidewalk issue with snow on the sidewalks, how do we determine, who we enforce that to and when we enforce that law? I have read the law, so I am curious as to when we enforce that law… there’s not an inches requirement in the law. There’s no requirement there, so I feel like the law is kind of vague as far as that goes. I did go down and I can show you a picture of the Village sidewalk by the hospital right now. Snow stopped before 5 o’clock, according to the law, that snow has to be removed tonight. Will the Village be calling someone on an overtime to remove that snow or can I file a complaint now and we hire the contractor to come and take care of that? I am just curious how do we enforce this to certain people and not other people.”

Mayor McDougall told Mr. Perrigo that the Village of Gouverneur had someone to take care of the sidewalk in question, and then gave the floor to Village of Gouverneur DPW Superintendent TJ Simmons who said the following: “What snow,” asked DPW Simmons. “The dusting we got today?”

“Well, there’s ice on it too, and according to the law it should have been salted to remove the ice,” Mr. Perrigo said. “Honest, I’m not picking on you, TJ. I’m more picking on why we are enforcing this law because of a complaint list filed on one person and not the other. If you drive down Main Street and you’re speeding, generally you don’t have to have a complaint to get a speeding ticket.”

“Unfortunately, like you said, the law is very vague,” Deputy Mayor Newvine said. “We discuss it every year. We have somebody come in, question us on how we enforce it, and how we choose on who we enforce it to, and there really isn’t a set parameter. When we receive a complaint, they call the person that we contract with. Now, the way that I see it, in the same local law that you read, if there is a snow and it stops before 5 o’clock you have to clean it up that night. If it stops after 5 o’clock you have until 8:30. Well, 8:30 is the wrong time for me because school starts at 7 a.m. Then it talks about salt or sand or ashes, which means it is outdated… nobody uses ashes anymore. It talks about a village administrator being the one to enforce the law. We don’t have a village administrator…

“And also for me, I know that we have talked about it, and I have talked about it with (Village of Gouverneur Clerk/Treasurer Barbara Finnie and Village of Gouverneur Deputy Clerk/Treasurer Kristina Ayen) the day that the complaint came in from whoever it might be –whether it is the Post Office or whoever – if there was no snow that day, it seems to me to be a mute complaint. If there was no snow on the day that it came in, how can you expect someone to remove it?”

Mr. Perrigo then asked, “If the Village isn’t following their own law, how can you enforce everyone else to? Tyranny isn’t always on the Second Amendment. It’s on laws in general and if you are forcing people to comply by law that your local government isn’t even complying with… it seems a little ridiculous to me.”

“I would politely disagree with you,” Deputy Mayor Newvine said. “It is still vague enough that there are no inches, like the lawn. If there is no set limit, then it could be any. The fact remains that there is a public law to remove snow at a certain time. A certain depth of snow is not there. Everyone gets a letter in November. It’s in the paper when we contract, all that stuff. It doesn’t mean that it is not enforced by the Village because when a complaint comes in, we call a contractor. So, it is not like we aren’t enforcing it.”

Mayor McDougall then asked for the next public comment. Up next was David and Hilliary Perrigo of 479 County Route 11 in Gouverneur.

“A bill was sent in the mail to myself and my wife on February 6, 2020 concerning our apartment house on the corner of 74 N. Gordon St. and 90 Barnes St. that we were charged $206 for a bunch of old sidewalks on January 31, 2020. I brought to you guys, the board members here and even the public, concerning this and asking you to please forgive this bill and to furthermore to personally to notify myself when you intend to charge a hardworking taxpayer this fee. This is not our primary residence. In fact, this is one of four. We pay someone already to shovel the sidewalk. He’s done a very good job for the last three years. It’s never been a problem. We’ve of course assumed that he was still doing the job that we paid him for. We ask you to review this policy that the Village of Gouverneur has. We do not drive by daily to see if this has been shoveled, as I said he has done a good job for three years. We understand that this policy needs to be in place.

“Again, I understand the law. I think it is vague and needs to be revisited and be revised but we ask that you would contact us personally, as I know for a fact that you do other taxpayers through nepotism and let them know before they actually get the bill. A phone call or maybe a warning letter personally addressing us to make sure we have adequate time to address the situation. As I say, if you don’t live there, it’s kind of hard to know what’s going on, especially if you have several properties.

“We try to keep our home and our apartment houses in excellent condition. We do not take this condition lightly. I take it as an insult to my integrity. That’s the kind of person that I am… I feel that a letter or a phone call making us aware of our property would be just standard procedure for everybody. I know it takes place with people. In a matter of fact, it happened in front of me last week I saw this take place.”

“It didn’t snow on January 31, 2020. It didn’t snow two days before that. It didn’t snow that day. It didn’t snow two days after that. Even as a property owner, no I didn’t drive by. When it snows, I know it snows. Snow removal is what I do, you know what I mean? The way this law states I’m not home in time to get this cleared. You could hit me with a $206 bill every single time because I am at work. I mean it just can’t happen. I guess yeah I could hire somebody, and I had somebody employed and yeah I took care of that and he’s no longer employed. My wife’s been doing it herself with the kids in the van after she drops the other two off at school…

“Now, I am going to reiterate how it was approached to me… In the notice that comes in your water/sewer bill, nothing in it says you are going to be charged $25 service fee. Nothing in it says you are going to be charged $1 foot. It does say you will be charged a minimum of $25. But there is nothing that says that you will get a $206 bill for a five-minute sidewalk… That’s absolutely ridiculous.

“You take someone like me who has a corner lot. There needs to be a cap… We’ve had a very light winter, so I don’t see how this could have been this big of an issue. I understand that probably no one here saw that sidewalk, and that it was just a complaint that was filed. I get that, but I had no idea that this was taking place. I need to be notified. I am the property owner. If you are going to bill somebody $206, the property owner needs to be notified and given the chance to remove that snow. That is my main argument here.”

David Perrigo then relayed to the Village of Gouverneur Board of Trustees his experience of coming into the Village Office to discuss the charges, and then went over to the sidewalk in question, did some measurements, and discovered he had been overcharged for sidewalk snow removal by 41 feet.

“Not only did it not snow, I was overcharged by 41 feet, which at $1 per foot is ridiculous,” he said also mentioning the administrative fee. “It’s happened to several people and they are hardworking people that own businesses in Gouverneur. I know for a fact that nepotism is taking place… “

Mr. Perrigo added that it took two weeks to get his hands on Local Law 1 of 1999, and it was suggested that the local laws be more readily available to local residents. Village of Gouverneur Trustee Shelly Simons-Washburn voiced her surprise that village’s local laws were not published on the website – villageofgouverneurny.org.

“If you don’t like me, you can blow my doors in,” David Perrigo said. “There’s got to be a rubric to follow. This is not going to do it. This is not going to cut it. And I don’t want this to be, “He spoke his piece, he’s done.” I will come the following board meeting and the following board meetings as a proud person that lives in Gouverneur. I am happy to be here. I want to make this Town, Village a better place. It’s what I go to work for every day. We’re good taxpaying people, and I’ll render to Caesar what is Caesars all day long – but it has to be in the legality of what makes sense.”

In response, Mayor McDougall said, “Generally speaking, we are, I must admit, pretty lax on enforcement, not only this but lawns in the summer.”

Continuing his addressing to the Village of Gouverneur Board of Trustee, David Perrigo said the following: “The Village of Gouverneur closed my sidewalk in on my other apartment house (corner of Clinton St.). I even drove my tractor from house to move that snowbank… Generally, I wouldn’t say anything about it. I would just take care of it. But if we want to do things this way… It is a mountain of snow frozen in there. The only way to move it is with a piece of equipment…. So again, I charged you $115 and $25 service fee, total $140. Totally different property. Totally different situation. I don’t know if you are getting my point. Stupid law. Stupid reasoning… I don’t want this to be, “You know we will let you know in a month.” I’m here because there is a problem. It needs to be revised. It needs to be fixed, and I want an answer from you right now when it is going to be done and when it is going to take place so I can be part of this. It needs to happen for the public, for me, for all the people that it has happened to before. I know a couple people that has had it happen, and they are fired up about it. I am not the only person with this issue. I am the only person that just didn’t take it on the chin like everybody else does. I’ve said my piece. I would like a rebuttal.”

After some discussion, the village trustees made the following comments:

“It needs to be looked at it, and that may be something we do at a later date,” Trustee Troy Besaw said. “I see where you are coming from.”

“We talk about it every year,” Deputy Mayor Newvine said, referencing former visits from local business owners George Macaulay and Chalaine Archer. “We don’t do anything about it… It’s a local law that needs to be revisited. It’s 21 years old. But to alleviate this situation here, is it okay for us to alleviate that because the local law says on a snowstorm it has to be done on a certain time… when there was no snowstorm the day that complaint came in? It wasn’t snowing the day that complaint was made. The way the local law reads is if it is snowing that day at or before 5 o’clock, they have to clean up that night. If it is snowing after 5 o’clock, they have until 8:30. It wasn’t snowing that day… period, point blank, simple. It wasn’t snowing the day before. It wasn’t snowing the day before that. It wasn’t snowing the day before that. So, to have a complaint the day it came up to the Village... It wasn’t snowing on that day, so how can we ask him to clean a sidewalk if it wasn’t snowing?”

Luke Perrigo then asked: “I am concerned about what’s going to happen if we leave here tonight and tomorrow, I leave through town and complain 100 different times on 100 different situations… I am sure I can come up with 100 in a couple hours of driving around.”

David Perrigo asked: “You take care of me, I’ll take care of you. We won’t have an issue again… if you take care of this law. That’s my full expectations here… As a taxpayer, as a person who lives in Gouverneur, I am looking out for that guy, this guy. I am looking out for everybody in Gouverneur. I will not stop until we – the taxpayers, you guys -- find an answer. And I want an answer tonight. Not to fix this, but an answer for me.”

“This local law needs to be reviewed, and revised so it is a little bit more flexible,” Mr. Nardelli said.

Deputy Mayor Newvine then asked: “Can we take care of these complaints filed on a day that it didn’t snow?”

Attorney Henry Leader then said the following: “I don’t know the answer to that. I don’t know what complaints there are other than Mr. and Mrs. Perrigo’s. I read the law, under Paragraph One, saying that every owner/occupant of the property is responsible for the removal of the snow from the sidewalk. The next paragraph talks about the snowstorm because if it snows people can’t get right out there. I think that is what is being advocated. If a sidewalk has snow cover for a week, how long did it have snow… I don’t know that. The only thing I do know is the amount of frontage should correspond to whatever a bill would be.

“I remember having an apartment myself on Clinton St. and the state plow plows Clinton St. and I was fined half the time and I got it out the other half and it was terrible. It was tough luck… I think every case has to be looked at individually, and I don’t know…

“You should endeavor to be fair across the board. The point about notice and giving the homeowner to hear it is a good one, and I would recommend the board look at this as well. Going backwards is more tricky. I don’t know if there’s other similar people. I don’t think the board could make that decision tonight. I think you need more information. I also think the board needs to consider the bill to the frontage.”

After some discussion with Mayor McDougall and village board, Attorney Leader said he would do some research before the next village board meeting. “I’ll investigate this between now and the next meeting and to see if there is a resolution, because if there are 14 similar complaints, it is worth more investigation,” he said.

Luke Perrigo then asked: “What about the contractor that is doing the sidewalks? Has he provided you guys with insurance? Can we have a copy of that, seeing how he serviced that property and then if something comes back in the next three years of a slip and fall we have insurance for that day?” Deputy Mayor Newvine promised to have a copy of that insurance included with the Village’s response back to the Perrigo’s next Friday.

Gratitude was extended to the village board for listening as they presented their case. The next meeting of the Village of Gouverneur Board of Trustees is to be held on Tuesday, March 17, 6 p.m., in the municipal courtroom.

Carter Baer NYS Wrestling Champ Sophomore wins 138-pound title

Gouverneur Wildcat Sophomore Carter Baer on top of the podium after winning the 138-pound Division II championship at the 2020 New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Wrestling Championships in Albany. (photo by Dylan Morrison)

by Dick Sterling

The Gouverneur Wildcats have their sixth New York State wrestling champion. Carter Baer, a sophomore and the son of Wildcat Wrestling Coach Joel Baer, upset top seeded Brady Worthing, who entered the state championship match with a record of 45-0, and was the defending New York State champ at 132 pounds, by a 6-4 decision to claim the 138-pound Division II championship at the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Wrestling Championships, last weekend, in Albany.

Carter joins John Minckler (2004), Josh Denesha (2005-06), David Perrigo (2006-07), Dillon Stowell (2013) and Hunter Ayen (2013) in the elite group of state wrestling champs from Gouverneur.

Carter, who entered the tournament with a season record of 38-3 and a career mark of 134-16, was seeded third and opened the tournament by pinning Edwin Kent, of Eagle Academy, in 1:38. His second match on Friday was against sixth seeded Dylan Price, of Marcellus/Onondaga. Carter won the quarterfinal match with a 5-1 decision.

The Wildcat standout had his work cut out for him on Saturday. His semifinal match was against number two seed Kaleb Burgess, of Palmyra/Macedon, who entered the match with a record of 53-4. Once again, Carter controlled the match and earned a spot in the title match with a 6-1 decision.

In the title match, Baer and Worthing went toe-to-toe in a scoreless first period. Carter worked his way into an escape in the second period to take a 1-0 lead. Later in the period he earned a takedown to stretch his advantage to 3-0. Later in the match, Baer took Worthing to the mat again to extend his lead to 5-0. Worthing then earned a takedown of his own and briefly put Carter to his back to be awarded a two-point near fall cutting the lead to 5-4. Baer earned another escape and then managed to keep his opponent from scoring another point.

Baer completes an outstanding sophomore season with an impressive record of 42-3. Two of his three losses were to Justin McDougald, of Niagara/Wheatfield, by scores of 3-1 and 8-5. McDougald went on to win the 138-pound Division I title. His other loss, a 1-0 decision, was to Gavin Damasco, of Commack, who finished fourth at 138 pounds in Division I. His 138 Career wins leaves him just 62 shy of the 200-win mark with two more years to go.

Carter is the first Section 10 wrestler since 2015 to win a title, and the first Wildcat wrestler since 2013 to earn a championship.

With 127 teams represented in the Division II tournament, the Gouverneur Wildcats finished in 10th place with 47.5 points. Three other Wildcat wrestlers placed in the tournament. Tyler Tupper (170 pounds) and Jacob Shippee (182) pounds, both placed seventh and Joseph Cummings (152) earned an eighth place finish.

Three other Wildcat wrestlers, Zoe Griffith (99 pounds), Trayton Tupper (120) and Vandavian Way (126) also took part in the tournament. Griffith, a seventh grader, Way, an eighth grader and Tupper, a sophomore, will have plenty of opportunity to find their way back to states again.

Congratulations to Carter Baer and the entire GHS wrestling program for another outstanding season. Wildcat fans are already looking forward to the 2020-21 season.

Undefeated

The Gouverneur JV Girls Basketball Team went undefeated this season, 19-0, in the NAC Central Division. On Feb. 13, the JV squad beat the OFA, 63-25. The last time the Gouverneur Wildcats won the JV Champion was '88-'89. No.1 Chloe Smith, No. 2 Caitlyn Storie, No. 3 Abigail Bowman, No. 4 Elizabeth Riutta, No. 5 Lia Canell, No. 10 Grace Holmes, No. 11 Addison Conklin, No. 12 Meredith Bush, No. 14 Sierra Billings, No. 15 Madelynne Hay-Spano, No. 20 Courtney Forsythe, and Coach Rick Vrooman. (Sarah Riutta photo)

Village of Gouverneur Board of Trustees recognizes former SLC Sheriff Kevin Wells

by Rachel Hunter

The Village of Gouverneur Board of Trustees at its Feb. 19 meeting in the municipal courtroom recognized former St. Lawrence County Sheriff Kevin Wells for his 35-year career in law enforcement, having been elected three times into the office as county sheriff.

Former SLC Sheriff Kevin Wells is son of Phyllis and the late Weldon “Paul” Wells who passed away in June of 2019. Mayor McDougall recalled Paul as a “community watcher,” often calling the village offices about different matters. Mayor McDougall also mentioned that former SLC Sherriff Kevin Wells is a member of the Gouverneur High School Class of 1978.

Village of Gouverneur Mayor Ronald McDougall recalled that he was there when former SLC Sheriff Wells first announced that he was running for the office. The mayor mentioned that the announcement was made across the road was the Town of Gouverneur Offices Building at US Highway 11 in Gouverneur.

Mayor McDougall opened the floor for comments, and Village of Gouverneur Chief of Police Laurina Greenhill of the Gouverneur Police Department said the following: “In the little over five years of being the chief of police working very closely with the Sheriffs Department, and particularly the Sheriff, who has certainly served as a mentor for me, and had a great working relationship and friends. I am very happy for him in his retirement. Wish you the best.”

Mayor McDougall and the Village Board of Trustees then presented former SLC Sheriff Wells with a Village of Gouverneur fleece vest. Local dignitaries in attendance for the presentation included the following St. Lawrence County Legislator District 5 Henry Leader (R-Gouverneur), Village of Gouverneur Trustee Shelly Simons-Washburn, Village of Gouverneur Trustee Troy Besaw, Village of Gouverneur Rick Wood, Village of Gouverneur Mayor Ronald McDougall, Village of Gouverneur Chief of Police Laurina Greenhill, Village of Gouverneur Deputy Mayor Charles Newvine, Village of Gouverneur Clerk/Treasurer Barbara Finnie, Village of Gouverneur Deputy Clerk/Treasurer Kristina Ayen, Village of Gouverneur Department of Public Works Superintendent TJ Simmons, Village of Gouverneur Recreation Department Director Casey Canell, Gouverneur Code Enforcement Officer Michael McQuade, Town of Gouverneur Supervisor Dave Spilman, Jr., Town of Gouverneur Deputy Supervisor Eldon Conklin.

“Thanks, everybody,” Mr. Wells said. “It really means a lot to me. I spent a lot of time around here – from the Gouverneur Rescue Squad to the Gouverneur High School and up through. Still a Wildcat and this is still home no matter where you live, so appreciate it guys.”

Kevin Wells makes his home with Mary Beth Curran of Canton, NY.

Kiwanis Trivia Night is tonight at Elks Lodge to benefit Wildcat Backpack Program

by Rachel Hunter

Back by request and popular demand, the Kiwanis Club of Gouverneur is holding another trivia event. Tonight, Friday, January 31, 7:30 p.m., at the Gouverneur Elks Lodge No. 2035, 1419 U.S. Highway 11, Gouverneur. All proceeds will go toward the Gouverneur Kiwanis Wildcat Backpack Program. The cost is $10 per person, and teams can be up to six members. RSVP with your team to lashomb.stephanie@gcsk12.org.

Don't want to cook? Arrive early and enjoy Gouverneur Elk Richard Wainwright’s Famous Prime Rib Dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. Also serving chicken tenders, fish fry. All meals are served with choice of potato, soup and salad.

All donations of non-perishable food and hygiene items for Gouverneur Kiwanis Wildcat Backpack Program will be collected at this event.

Gouverneur Lions Club upgrading GES nature trail

The Gouverneur Lions Club, working in its first phase to upgrade the nature trail by the Gouverneur Elementary School, removed 12 50-year-old exercise stations. (photo provided by Roger LaPierre)

by Rachel Hunter

With the approval of the Gouverneur Central School District Board of Education and GCSD Superintendent of Schools Lauren French, the Gouverneur Lions Club in conjunction with the school maintenance department completed phase one of the Gouverneur Elementary School Nature Trail clean-up and upgrade, which included removal and disposal of 12 50-year-old wooden exercise stations.

Phase two of the project will be to resurface portions of trails which get flooded out at certain times of the year along with redoing the wooden walkway bridge, perhaps even as a covered bridge.

Superintendent of Schools Lauren French was also successful in obtaining a $10,000 grant for new trail equipment, which will help revitalize the nature trail for years to come.

More information on this endeavor will be published once it is made available to the Gouverneur Tribune Press.

Much gratitude is extended to all those for their cooperation on this project, so that the Gouverneur community can enjoy a great one-mile walk in the woods – that is safe and easy.

This Saturday, February 1, North Country families are invited to head out to the nature trail for a “Winter Book Walk” anytime between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. This is a free event that is sponsored by the Gouverneur Central School District Wellness Committee and Elementary PTO in conjunction with the St. Lawrence County Health Initiative. Mounted book pages located around the trail will give families the experience of walking through a winter story while getting active and having fun. There also will be fitness challenges at each stop for those looking for an optional challenge to get active with family members. All those who are interested in joining are reminded to dress warmly and don their winter weather gear before heading out the door to join this free, family friendly event. For more information, visit the GCSD Wildcat Facebook page.

Town of Fowler questions county’s bridge priorities

by Rachel Hunter

The Town of Fowler Council at its January 7 regular town board meeting talked about the St. Lawrence County Board of Legislators recent vote for the temporary replacement of the historic twin bridges on Jones Road that cross the west branch of the St. Regis River in Hopkinton.

Deterioration to the trusses of the historic structures (originally built in 1902) caused them to be flagged by the New York State Department of Transportation and were subsequently closed by the St. Lawrence County Department of Highways in September 2019.

At the December 2019 full board meeting, SLC Legislators voted to sign a contract with Delta Engineers, Architects, and Land Surveyors, DPC, and the state Historical Preservation Office will play a vital role in project approval with the engineering fee not to exceed $60,000.

Faithful readers of the Gouverneur Tribune Press will recall that it was in 2016 that St. Lawrence County legislator agreed to “close indefinitely” the Emeryville Bridge, County Route 22, in the Town of Fowler, after it was red-flagged by the New York State Department of Transportation for structural deficiencies.

Town of Fowler Then-Supervisor Michael Cappellino and Town of Fowler Supervisor-Elect Rick Newvine arrived at the December full board meeting to ask the St. Lawrence County Board of Legislators why the Hopkinton bridges had been prioritized over the Emeryville Bridge in the Town of Fowler.

The discussion commenced as follows: “We’re not opposed to having (Hopkinton) bridges replaced,” Supervisor Cappellino said. “We’re actually looking forward to the precedence, but one of the concerns is that we have been without a bridge for a number of years now and we have been taken by surprise here that a snowmobile bridge is going to be replaced, actually two bridges are going to be replaced, instead of one 40-foot bridge in the Town of Fowler.

“The vehicle count on the Emeryville Road that was done just recently is 193 cars. Those cars have been isolated from traveling to Tripp’s, several garage and repair shops in the Town of Fowler… (The Emeryville Bridge) has been closed about three years, and there haven’t been any grounds made to replace that bridge. That’s why we are here tonight. It just seems like a seasonal limited-use road is not really a priority. We were told Emeryville Bridge was not a priority, and now we are looking at a seasonal, limited-use bridge that is being prioritized before this bridge.

“Again, the county installed a temporary bridge in Emeryville in repairing another bridge, they put a temporary bridge on the bridge and then pulled in right out as soon as it was complete.

“I asked Don at one point if the County could leave that for snowmobile traffic, four-wheeler traffic, or light-duty cars, and we were told, “Absolutely not. That’s coming out of there.” Almost immediately.

“Again, I think the Town of Fowler at that time had offered to enter negotiations with the County to pony up for $50,000 toward replacement of the bridge. The estimated cost of the bridge was $100,000 to $125,000. For some reason, that was turned down. I am not sure if politics played a part in this. We all know the county sued the town a few years ago for ownership and the county ended up losing that suit. The state found in Supreme Court, that the county owned that bridge and I have questioned since then, is that why we’re not replacing this bridge?”

Legislative Chairman Joseph Lightfoot (R-Ogdensburg) immediately asked: “Are you asking me that question? “The answer is no. Just so we are loud and clear about that.”

Then-Supervisor Cappellino continued his address as follows: “Once again, I’m not opposed to this bridge being replaced, because it does help county residents,” Supervisor Capellino said. “I’m just asking for some fairness for the people in the Town of Fowler.”

It was at the Tuesday, January 7 meeting of the Town of Fowler Council that Town of Fowler Councilman Jeff Andrews asked St. Lawrence County District 5 Legislator Henry Leader (R-Gouverneur) about the St. Lawrence County Board of Legislators voting to spend $135,000 to build the bridges. It has been reported that the St. Lawrence County Department of Highways’ Multi-Use Trail Project covered the cost of construction, and that the contract was awarded to J.E. Sheehan Contracting Corporation.

St. Lawrence County District 5 Legislator Henry Leader (R-Gouverneur) responded as follows: “I voted for us. Mike and Rick came, and I was ready to jump in because it didn’t look like they were going to get a platform to speak and they did speak. The reason I finally voted for the bridge was because of the argument that it was going to help the economy, tourism… I don’t know what businesses they say would be benefited. I don’t know. But I absolutely agree that if you are going to spend that much money for a temporary bridge, you’d have to remove the bridge. It could have been a lot better with Fowler for a lot cheaper. And Fowler is willing to be a partner with them. And honestly, I like (SLC Legislator Kevin Acres’) argument that it is a precedent, because it is a precedent… and if I am given the opportunity, I am still going to advocate for Fowler on that.”

Councilman Andrews said, “They spent the money basically on a snowmobile… and they won’t spend it for a year-round (bridge).”

“And they did it in a hurry,” said Town of Fowler Supervisor Rick Newvine.

“Mike said we don’t want to see anyone else harmed, and we want to see the county prosper, but it is not really fair based on how we were treated – and I absolutely agree with that,” Legislator Leader said.

Discussion continued for several moments before Legislator Leader then said the following: “I technically represent Gouverneur, but I am absolutely loyal to Fowler as well.

“I appreciate you doing that Henry, but I feel like, as far as I am concerned, we haven’t seen our legislator at one meeting,” Town of Fowler Councilman Lynn Bishop said, referring to SLC District 4 Legislator William Sheridan (R-Hammond).

Town of Fowler Supervisor Rick Newvine said, “I called today and left a message, but…”

Legislator Leader said, “In my experience, if it helps the County and it helps this part of the County, good. I don’t have any ego. I don’t want to make any enemies here necessarily, because we might get the chance and need the votes for us. I know everybody is worried about money, and that’s the whole sales tax thing that the state is pushing on the county. But honestly, the county should probably bear it more than the towns and the villages. Every penny counts when you try to put the local budget together… If anything, just think of it as having two representatives. I don’t mind being called for anything.”

“Okay, I appreciate it,” Councilman Andrews said to Legislator Leader as the discussion ended and the Town of Fowler Council continued with the business at hand.

The next meeting of the Town of Fowler Council is to be held on Tuesday, February 4, 7 p.m., Fowler Town Hall, 87 Little York Road, Fowler.

Ed. Note: As of press time this week, the replacement bridges on Jones Road in Hopkinton are now open for recreation use only.

Town of Gouverneur to install fire alarm system, Knox Box system at town barn

by Rachel Hunter

The Town of Gouverneur Council at its Jan. 14 meeting agreed to install a fire alarm system and Knox Box system at town barn and offices building, 1227, US Highway 11, Gouverneur.

Town of Gouverneur Supervisor Dave Spilman, Jr. said the following: “(Town of Gouverneur Deputy Supervisor Eldon Conklin) and I met with our insurance representative two weeks ago, and one of the suggestions he stressed was a fire alarm system for our building. There’s been quite a few, well, I think four municipalities I think he said that have had total losses.”

Town of Gouverneur Highway Superintendent Ed Cardinell took the opportunity to inform Town of Gouverneur Supervisor Dave Spilman, Jr. and the Town of Gouverneur Council who had not yet heard of the losses the Village of Theresa had suffered after its public works garage, village office went ablaze shortly before noon Tuesday. “That’s almost a brand new building,” Supervisor Spilman said.

The cause is still under investigation.

Supervisor Spilman reminded the Town of Gouverneur Council that the insurance representative suggested the move last year as well, and that the Town of Gouverneur received quotes, but never acted on it.

Supervisor Spilman said they had reached out to Alltech Integration Systems, Stat Communications, and NCC Systems Inc. who plan to give quotes to the Town of Gouverneur. “One has given us a quote already – it is coming in at about $11,200,” Supervisor Spilman said. “What we would like to do tonight is to get a motion to authorize us to purchase fire alarm system not to exceed $15,000 that way once we get the quotes in we won’t have to wait to get things going on it. Ed has been going through everything that has a battery attached to it in the shop; it is now getting a master disconnect switch put on it… I couldn’t imagine, especially since we have so many things under one roof, if we had a loss here…it would be catastrophic.”

The motion to authorize the purchase of the alarm system not to exceed $15,000 was made by Town of Gouverneur Councilman Curran Wade, and seconded by Town of Gouverneur Councilwoman Jaimee McQuade. All were in favor. The decision was unanimous,

The decision was also made during the meeting to install a Knox Box system at the building. Supervisor Spilman explained to the town board that it would allow the fire department “the opportunity to come to the building and punch a code in a box a have a code waiting for them and be able to access the building if nobody is around.”

“I think it is a good idea,” he said. (By) having a Knox Box on the building for (Chief Conklin) and the guys to get in… they don’t have to go out to the building, get a key. I know they have a key to the Community Center and at our meeting tomorrow I am going to bring up a suggestion that we purchase one of these Knox Boxes where the first responders come directly to the building to get in.”

In addition, Supervisor Spilman said the following: (Town of Gouverneur Deputy Supervisor Eldon Conklin) brought it up. At the Town Court, we never had a loss policy down there. We added $150,000 worth of value to the policy for an $160 per year. It’s pretty minimal, but just the cost it would take to recreate the files down there would astronomical.”

There was some discussion before the town board continued with the business at hand.

The next regular meeting of the Town of Gouverneur Council is to be held on Tuesday, February 11, 6 p.m. at the town offices building.

Lights on the River to benefit local food pantries

by Rachel Hunter

More than 100 boxes of non-perishable food items and close to $30,000 will be split between 16 food pantries in St. Lawrence Counties, as a result of Lisbon’s Lights on the River event.

The local food pantries set to benefit include the Gouverneur Neighborhood Center, Hammond Neighborhood Center, and the Richville Food Pantry.

There were about 70 displays from area businesses, organizations, etc. at the 10th annual event.

Walk With A Doc to be at Gouverneur Middle School on January 25

by Rachel Hunter

Walk With A Doc: Gouverneur will be held on Saturday, January 25, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., Gouverneur Middle School, 25 Wilson Street, Gouverneur.

Did you know? Walk with a Doc was started in 2005 by Dr. David Sabgir, a cardiologist in Columbus, Ohio. Frustrated with his inability to affect behavior change in the clinical setting, Dr. Sabgir invited his patients to go for a walk with him in a local park on a spring Saturday morning. To his surprise, over 100 people showed up, energized and ready to move.

Since that first event in 2005, Walk with a Doc has grown as a grassroots effort, with a model based on sustainability and simplicity. A doctor gives a brief presentation on a health topic and then leads participants on a walk at their own pace. Healthy snacks, coffee, and blood pressure checks are an optional part of a Walk with a Doc event. The Walk added an Executive Director in 2009 and focused on building a program that could easily be implemented by interested doctors in other cities around the country. As a result of these efforts, the reach of Walk with a Doc now extends all around the globe with over 500 chapters worldwide, including Walk with a Future Doc chapters led by medical students!

Walking was recently recognized by the Surgeon General of the United States of America as one of the single most important things we can do for our health. Will you join in making health and happiness accessible for all?

The next event Walk With A Doc in Gouverneur is to be held on Saturday, January 25, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., at Gouverneur Middle School, 25 Wilson Street, Gouverneur.

With an aim to make hope and health accessible to all, the Community Health Center of the North Country and St. Lawrence County Public Health are sponsoring this free, fun walk. All those interested in attending are invited to join a variety of St. Lawrence County healthcare providers and discover a new, safe place to walk, learn about health, and meet new friends.

This is event is open to all, and is for all abilities. The Gouverneur Middle School is accessible for all walkers, strollers and wheelchairs. There is no registration required, and all are welcome to attend.

Don’t let the winter weather keep you from getting in some steps. Mark your calendar today for the Walk With A Doc: Gouverneur on Saturday, January 25 at Gouverneur Middle School for a warm and dry event inside the school building.

GHS Chorus lauded by town supervisor for carol singing at GCC

by Rachel Hunter

Town of Gouverneur Supervisor Dave Spilman, Jr. told the Town of Gouverneur Council at its Dec. 10 meeting lauded the Gouverneur High School Chorus, conducted by Renee Powlin, which sang Christmas carols to over 85 people at the Gouverneur Community Center earlier that day.

The Gouverneur High School Chorus includes the following students: Soprano: Madison Brooks, Corryn Canell, Makayla Cassell-Beck, Allison Carvel, Sarah Crook, Saraphenna Filiatrault, Kortney Knight, Hope Leader, Chelsea Manning, Jenika Richards, Shaylee Smith, Abigail Way, and Ariana Zeller. Alto: Hannah Bango, Haley Blair, Hailey Bodah, Makayla Brooks, Niciara House-Bowman, Corinne LaPierre, Mariah Manning, Camila Marquez, Mikayla McNeil, Ariel Mooney, Emily Mullin, Gabrielle Platt, Elizabeth Riutta, Jahonna Sloan, and Jaelynn Stevens. Tenor: Jacob Carvel, Shacoria Jackson, Makyle Pankey, Cole Siebels, Brett VanSant, Kaleb Webster, and Marina Wood. Baritone/Bass: Noble Baker, Connor Canell, Hazen Given, Richard Nichols, Jr., Christopher Weaver, and Kolby Wells.

Much applause was given to the students throughout the concert by those in attendance. The crowd consisted of those enjoying meals at the Gouverneur Congregate Dining Center as well as members of the Gouverneur Senior Citizens Club and the Shakespeare Club.

“They did a wonderful job. It’s always a big treat to have them there, and really appreciate working with Gouverneur High School Principal Cory Wood and Gouverneur Central School District Superintendent of Schools Lauren French to make it available for these kids to come over and then perform for us. It made the day kind of special.”

The next meeting of the Town of Gouverneur Council is to be held on Tuesday, January 14, 6 p.m., in the town offices building.

Town of Gouverneur posts speed limit signs on Little Bow, Van Buren roads

By Rachel Hunter

Town of Gouverneur Highway Department workers on Tuesday, December 10 put 55 MPH speed limit signs on the Little Bow Road and Van Buren Road in hopes to curb speeding on town roads.

“We’ve had complaints from taxpayers about the speed at which cars are traveling down those roads,” Town of Gouverneur Supervisor Dave Spilman, Jr. said during the Dec. 10 town board meeting.

“I contacted (SLC Superintendent of Highways Donald Chambers) about the process of lowering the speed limit, and this is the first step. We actually have to post them at 55 MPH. That was the speed limit already. But now we put signs up, and the next thing is to do a study on it and that could take up to 18 months to get any action there. But this was a first step…

“The hard part is getting action from the state. We call the county and they do what they have to do. That’s a pretty simple process. That about a couple weeks. And then, if they deem it is feasible or necessary, they pass it along to the state and then the state takes it into consideration.

“Mr. Chambers told me that he has had a county road that has been waiting 18 months for a determination on it. If anybody has a question on why we posted the speed limit, just call me. That’s the easiest way. It’s a process, and this is just the first step.

“It all came from a lady down on the Little Bow Road who had this kid in this big truck just keep tearing by her house. Finally, she stood in the middle of the road. He stopped, and she asked, “Why are you going so fast down through here?” He said, “I can go as fast as I want, there is no speed limit.” Well, yes there is. It is 55 MPH but there is no sign to tell him it is 55 MPH. Now, there is.”

The next meeting of the Town of Gouverneur Council is to be held on Tuesday, January 14, 6 p.m., in the town offices building.