The Peru Gazette

1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. ROLL CALL
4. APPROVAL of April 2026 minutes
5. OPEN FLOOR TO PUBLIC HEARING
6. APPLICATIONS:
   1. File # Z-2026-113 – Commercial Interpretation – Lake Champlain Transportation – Pertains to multiple parcels including: 258.-2-2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 12, 13.1 – 3984, 4013, 4016 Rt 9 Plattsburgh – Applicant disagrees with Codes Officer that Section 500 of the Zoning Ordinance would apply to the marina & restaurant, applicant feels these uses are “permitted” and are not “pre-existing non-conforming.”
7. ANY FURTHER BUSINESS
8. CEO REPORT for September 2026
9. ADJOURNMENT

1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. ROLL CALL
4. APPROVAL of September 2026 minutes
5. OPEN FLOOR TO PUBLIC HEARING
6. APPLICATIONS:
   1. File # P-2026-011 – Sign Review – Parcel ID# 280.-1-30.8 – 729 Bear Swamp Rd. – Daniels Signs/ Dunkin’ Donuts – 7 EXTERIOR SIGNS FOR DUNKIN’ DONUTS. The overall square footage of the new signs is equal to or less than the current configuration. The road sign and directional signs are exact face swaps. The larger sign on the front of the building will be replaced with a smaller one. An additional sign/pivoting canopy will be added to the east side of the building by the drive-thru.
7. ANY FURTHER BUSINESS
   1. Resignation of Planning Board Member, Robert LePage.
8. CEO REPORT for September 2026
9. ADJOURNMENT

WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Peru is anticipating that the budget for the fiscal year of 2027 will require a real property tax levy in excess of the “tax levy limit” as defined by General Municipal Law § 3-c, and
WHEREAS, a local law is required pursuant to subdivision 5 of General Municipal Law§ 3-c to authorize the Town Board to override the tax levy limit by the adoption of a local law approved by vote of sixty percent (60%) of the Town Board, so be it therefore
RESOLVED, that Local Law #2 for the year 2026, entitled “A Local Law to override the tax levy limit established in General Municipal Law § 3-c is duly introduced, and be it further,
RESOLVED, that a Public Hearing on said proposed Local Law #2 of 2026 will be held at the Town Hall on Tuesday, September 28 at 5:45 p.m. where the public will be allowed an opportunity to voice comments for or against said law.

2025 Peru Gazette File Photo

September 22, 2026 – Governor Kathy Hochul today announced $67.5 million in grants through New York Places for Learning, Activity, and Youth Socialization (NY PLAYS) for 89 projects to build, expand and renovate public playgrounds across New York State.  The Town of Plattsburgh was awarded $1.28 million for a new playground at the Battlefield Memorial Gateway Park located on Route 9 across from Clare and Carls. 

The awards are designed to help municipalities and nonprofit organizations create and improve accessible outdoor spaces where children of all abilities can play, be active and connect with their communities.

The $67.5 million in state funding will support playground projects representing more than $145 million in total investment. More than $36 million will support projects in underserved communities, expanding access to safe, high-quality outdoor recreation across the state. 

“Playgrounds give children a place to be active, build friendships and connect with the world around them,” Governor Hochul said. “Through NY PLAYS, we are investing in communities across our state and creating more safe, accessible places where children of all abilities can get outside and play. These projects will give more New York families opportunities to put down their devices, spend time together and build healthy habits that can last a lifetime.”

The awards will support 36 new playgrounds, 23 major expansions and 30 renovations across all 10 regions of New York State. Projects range from new adaptive and inclusive playgrounds to major improvements that will modernize existing neighborhood play spaces. 

NY PLAYS is part of Governor Hochul’s Unplug and Play initiative, which encourages children and families to put down their devices, spend more time outdoors, be physically active and connect with one another. The initiative also includes the Statewide Investment in More Swimming (NY SWIMS) and Building Recreational Infrastructure for Communities, Kids and Seniors (NY BRICKS).

State’s Highest Honor for Police Officers Recognizes Exceptional Valor and Bravery

September 22, 2026 – Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that Rochester Police Officer Nicole Amatore is the recipient of the 2026 Police Officer of the Year Award for demonstrating exceptional courage and bravery in the face of grave danger.

Officer Amatore stopped a gunman who had shot and wounded three of her colleagues and then opened fire on her. She exchanged fire with the gunman and ended the threat, even as a bullet struck the tree she was using for cover.

“It takes tremendous courage and integrity for police officers to suit up each day and put themselves in harm’s way to protect others,” Governor Hochul said. “It takes even more to remain calm and act quickly and decisively in the face of a deadly threat. Officer Amatore did just that while under fire from a gunman who had already wounded three of her colleagues. It is my honor to name Officer Amatore the 2026 Police Officer of the Year for her extraordinary bravery and dedication to public service.”

New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) Commissioner Rossana Rosado presented the Police Officer of the Year Award on behalf of Governor Hochul during the agency’s annual Public Safety Symposium, the state’s largest professional gathering of public safety leaders and partners.

Officer Amatore ’s actions occurred on Dec. 19, 2025, when Rochester police responded to a 911 call from a woman whose estranged partner was armed and attempting to enter the home where she and her children were living.

Two responding officers found the suspect outside a first-floor window and ordered him to show his hands. He instead pulled a gun from his pocket and opened fire, striking both officers. The gunman fled on foot and encountered a third officer several blocks away. He fired again, striking that officer.

When Officer Amatore arrived, the suspect shot at her. She took cover behind a tree, returned fire and stopped the gunman, ending the threat. One of the suspect’s rounds struck the tree she was using for cover. All three wounded officers survived their injuries. Read more »

Anglers Encouraged to Take Advantage of Fall Fishing Opportunities

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton today announced a statewide Free Fishing Day on Saturday, September 26. During any of the six designated Free Fishing Days, the fishing license requirement is waived for fishing on New York’s fresh waters.

“Fishing in New York is better than ever,” said Commissioner Lefton. “Whether it’s chasing salmon on a Great Lakes tributary, pursuing bass on a scenic lake, or casting a line in a local stream, there’s something here for everyone. I encourage anglers to take advantage of New York’s Free Fishing Days and introduce someone new to the sport.”

This Free Fishing Day coincides with National Hunting and Fishing Day, which was designated by Congress in 1972 to encourage people to experience, understand, and appreciate traditional outdoor sports and recreation and our abundant natural resources, and to recognize hunters and anglers for their leadership in fish and wildlife conservation.

DEC and its partners also hold free “learn to fish” clinics throughout the year. In addition to learning about local fishing opportunities, participants are taught about fish identification, how to cast a fishing rod, fishing safety, aquatic resource stewardship, and fishing regulations. A full list of programs can be found on DEC’s website. Check the list regularly as new events are added throughout the year.

DEC also offers a host of online resources for those interested in getting started in fishing. The I FISH NY Beginners’ Guide to Freshwater Fishing provides information on everything from rigging up a fishing rod, to identifying your catch, and understanding fishing regulations. There’s also a video series on DEC’s YouTube channel that complements the Beginners’ Guide. If you’re looking for a spot to fish during a Free Fishing Weekend, check out some publicly accessible locations on DEC’s Places to Fish site. You can also use the DECinfo Locator Map or Tackle Box feature in the HuntFishNY mobile app to find a fishing spot near you, along with information on parking, boat launches, and more. Anglers can also access their sporting license information, which serves as valid proof of possessing a fishing license.

The final Free Fishing Day for 2026 will take place on November 11 (Veterans Day). On Free Fishing Days, New York residents and non-residents may fish for free without a fishing license. Free Fishing Day participants are reminded that, although the requirement for a fishing license is waived during Free Fishing Days, all other fishing regulations remain in effect. When not participating in Free Fishing Days, anyone 16 years of age and older must have a current New York State fishing license to fish. Fishing licenses are valid for 365 days from the date of purchase. More information on purchasing a fishing license can be found on DEC’s website.

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The Section VII Girls Swim Championship goes to Peru! Following a great day in the pool, the Nighthawks came away with a meet-leading 389 points.

Here are all the team scores. 1. Peru 389 2. AuSable 249 3. Plattsburgh 170 4. Moriah 88 5. Beekmantown 22

Click here for individual results

Click here for the vtdigger story 

The Granny’s Attic Unique Boutique Sale is set for Saturday September 26^th, with doors opening promptly at 9AM, and until 4PM Saturday.  Available for purchase is a huge assortment of good quality and unusual items graciously provided by dozens of families from the area.  The sale continues Sunday September 27^th starting at 10AM (after church services) and until 2PM with most items at half-price.  Baked goods are also offered Saturday and possibly Sunday, until sold out.  A special ‘clearance’ sale follows on Saturday, October 3^rd  9AM to 4PM, with a ‘stuff the bag $5’ sale until noon, then remaining items ‘pay what you like’ or free for the taking noon until 4PM.  All are welcome!!

Sponsored by the Peru Community Church, this 17^th sale event is open to all, and is held in the Church’s Fellowship Center main hall at 13 Elm Street (corner of Rts.22B, 22, & Elm).  Proceeds from the sale support the missions, programs and operations of the Peru Community Church.  This year we are also honoring the memory of Sandra Lashua of Peru, who initiated the first sale named “Granny’s Attic” in 2015, and who recently passed away.  Some of the proceeds will be donated to one of her favorite charities.

The fun and excitement of every Granny’s Attic sale is always the community that comes together to donate, sort and organize, and then, on sale day, to greet old friends and meet new ones, Read more »

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Beef Stew

Bread

Dessert 

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

All are invited and welcome!

Click here for the NCPR story 

September 16, 2026 – Mobile sports betting has quickly become New York state’s second largest source of gaming revenue, trailing only the lottery. In State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2026, mobile sports betting generated $1.3 billion in state revenues from taxes on gross gaming revenues, according to a report released today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. The report also notes that the increased wagering activity led to a 8.5% increase in calls to the state’s problem gambling hotline in 2025 since 2020.

“While the legalization of mobile sports betting in New York has boosted state revenues, the rise in problem gambling, particularly among young people, is a major concern,” DiNapoli said. “The rapid proliferation of the prediction markets, which generate significant revenue based on sports activities, only makes it easier to get hooked on these online platforms. I was encouraged by the state’s decision to double funding for problem gambling services from $6 million to $12 million, but this is a drop in the bucket compared to the billions being wagered. We need to do much more to identify how mobile sports betting is impacting New Yorkers and ensure consumers are protected.”

Gaming Overview in New York

There are six different forms of statutorily authorized gaming in New York: horse racing, the lottery, video lottery terminals (VLTs), casinos (commercial and tribal), sports betting (mobile and in-person), and interactive fantasy sports. Each of these provide a source of revenue for the state, most of which is used for education purposes. In SFY 2026, the state collected over $5.1 billion in gaming revenues, $1.3 billion (33%) higher than in SFY 2016. However, excluding mobile sports wagering, gaming revenues from all other forms declined by 0.8%.

The lottery remains the state’s largest source of gaming revenue with average annual growth of 1.8% from SFY 2010 to SFY 2023; however, these revenues were nearly 10% lower in SFY 2026 than peak collections in SFY 2023. Through July of SFY 2027, lottery revenues were up only 0.6% ($4.4 million) from the same period last year.

Mobile Sports Wagering Read more »

Half of All New York Households Are Eligible for Monthly Discounts

Nearly One Million Households Already Enrolled

Visit ny.gov/EAP to Learn About Eligibility and How to Enroll

September 17, 2026 – Governor Hochul today launched a new statewide enrollment drive to help millions more New Yorkers get a monthly discount on their utility bills through the State’s Energy Affordability Program (EAP). While 1 million households statewide are already enrolled in the EAP, the State estimates that approximately 2.5 million more households are eligible to enroll for monthly discounts – including many that are now eligible due to Governor Hochul’s expansion of program eligibility. Depending on household income, the EAP can help New Yorkers save up to hundreds of dollars per year on utility costs, with discounts set to make a typical utility bill less than six percent of household income.

New York’s Energy Affordability Program (EAP) and Expanded Eligibility

Up to half of all New York State households are eligible to receive monthly utility discounts through the EAP. While some households are automatically enrolled based on their participation in other programs, many other households can enroll by applying online via ny.gov/EAP. Households can save up to hundreds of dollars per year on their utility costs with EAP discounts – and the size of the EAP discount is based on household income.

Households are automatically enrolled in the EAP if they are currently enrolled in the Home Energy Assistance Program or the Public Assistance (i.e., Temporary Assistance), which are administered by the Office of Temporary Disability Assistance (OTDA).

Households are also eligible for EAP discounts if they are currently enrolled in numerous other programs. However, these households are not automatically enrolled in the EAP due to customer privacy restrictions that prevent automatic enrollment. These households can self-enroll to receive EAP discounts by applying online. This applies to households currently enrolled in:

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Medicaid
• Veterans’ Disability or Survivors Pension
• Supplemental Security Income
• Lifeline Telephone Service Program
• Federal Public Housing Assistance
• Utility Guarantee
• Direct Vendor programs
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
• Safety Net Assistance
• Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
• Head Start
• Tribal TANF
• Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations

Effective January 2026, Governor Hochul’s administration also expanded eligibility to include New York households that are below the state median income, or below area median income in New York City, Westchester, and Nassau County. These households can also enroll by applying online via ny.gov/EAP.

Under this expansion, households at or below the following income levels are also now eligible for monthly utility discounts:

New EAP Enrollment Drive

Governor Hochul has directed the Department of Public Service to begin a new enrollment push to help more New Yorkers sign up for EAP discounts over the coming weeks and months.

As part of the enrollment drive, the Department of Public Service will do targeted digital advertising and work with other state agencies to use direct mail, email, and/or texts to inform more New Yorkers about EAP eligibility and enrollment information.

Social services agencies will cross-reference customers enrolling in other programs to EAP, agencies will partner with community organizations to attend in-person enrollment events, and utilities will directly inform customers on the enrollment process.

State agencies dealing with the public will also promote the program on their digital boards inside their public-facing offices.

Assemblymember Grace Lee said, “New York families are already stretched thin, and harmful federal policies are driving energy costs even higher. I thank Governor Hochul for making sure more households can access the relief they deserve. Half of all New York households may qualify, and I encourage every eligible New Yorker to visit ny.gov/eap and enroll.”