The Peru Gazette

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PUBLIC HEARING AGENDA & REGULAR MEETING AGENDA FOR AUGUST 10 2026

Local Law #1 of 2026 

TO ESTABLISH RESIDENCY REQUIREments FOR THE DEPuTY TOWN CLERK 

1. Call the meeting to Order 

2. Pledge Of Allegiance

3. Roll Call 

4. Motion: To Open the Public Hearing 

5. Discussion: Proposed Local Law #1 of 2026 – “A Local Law to change the Residency Requirements of the Deputy Town Clerk

6. Motion: To Close Public Hearing 

7. Motion: Adjourn 

Grand Isle, VT – The Patrick Leahy Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP), in coordination with NEIWPCC, offers funding for projects that interpret the region’s natural and cultural resources, as well as Artist-in-Residence programs that engage the public through the arts.

Interpretive projects will further the goals of the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership (CVNHP) and may fall into one of two categories: the CVNHP Special Program or Core Grant Program. Special Program grants are intended to support multi-jurisdictional or regional initiatives that interpret a “confluence” of any of the CVNHP’s three interpretive themes: Making of Nations, Corridor of Commerce, and Conservation & Community.

CVNHP Core Grant projects may highlight the above interpretive themes, engage youth in local heritage, support museum and library collections, or sponsor internships at museums and historic sites.

Artist-in-Residence projects will recruit artists to highlight the basin’s science, culture, and history to build greater public understanding and appreciation.

“Both the cultural heritage and Artist-in-Residence grant programs exemplify one of our guiding principles: that appreciation leads to understanding, which leads to greater stewardship,” said Jim Brangan, Interim NEIWPCC Division Director of Lake Champlain Programs. “Through creative projects that interpret our connection to this region, partners are bringing more people into the shared effort to protect and restore the Lake Champlain watershed.”

Applicants to CVNHP grant programs will first submit a project pre-proposal and a subset of applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal for funding consideration. Pre-proposals are due on October 16, 2026, at 5:00 p.m., and awarded projects are anticipated to begin work in December 2027.

Applicants to the Artist-in-Residence grant program will submit full proposals, due on September 29, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Awarded projects are targeted to begin work in February 2027. An additional RFP for 2027 Artist-in-Residence projects in Québec will be issued separately.

The CVNHP and Artist-in-Residence grant opportunities are supported by funds awarded to NEIWPCC by the U.S. National Park Service and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, respectively, on behalf of the Lake Champlain Basin Program.

The CVNHP was established by the U.S. Congress in 2006 to recognize the importance of the historical, cultural, and recreational resources of the region and to assist efforts to preserve, protect, and interpret those resources. The National Heritage Area also works to enhance the quality of the tourism economy and to encourage working partnerships among state, provincial, and local governments and non-profit organizations in New York, Québec, and Vermont.

The 17^th annual CVNHP International Summit will be held in Burlington, Vermont on September 23, 2026. While attendance is not required, the summit hosts a Foundant primer and offers networking opportunities to develop competitive projects for this funding opportunity. Please register at this link.

The proposal guidelines, list of eligible entities, submission requirements, and an electronic submission application link are available below:

• CVNHP Grants:  https://champlainvalleynhp.org/resources/grants/

• Artist-in-Residence Grants: https://lcbp.org/grants/

For more information about CVNHP and Artist-in-Residence grants, please contact Jim Brangan at jbrangan@lcbp.org.

Ilyssa Rae Brown is growing over 50 varieties of flowers: zinnias, sunflowers, celosia, snapdragons, calendula…

Click here for the NCPR story 

Click here for the NCPR story 

Peru CSD Board of Education will hold its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at 5:30 PM in the High School Community Room. It is anticipated that an executive session will take place immediately following the 5:30 PM start, and that the Board will reconvene for open public session business at approximately 6:00 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 are unable to attend the regular meeting in person may submit public comments by emailing perucomments@perucsd.org no later than noon on Tuesday, August 11. Online comments are also subject to the conditions stated above.

Anticipated topics include:

• Bus Bids

• Personnel Appointments

• Start of School Update

• Revised Academic Calendar

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

43 people have received rabies post exposure shots compared to 15 at this time last year.

Plattsburgh, August 7, 2026. The Clinton County Health Department (CCHD) is urging residents to not release bats that are discovered in their homes. Bats can carry the fatal rabies virus and once symptoms appear in people or pets, there is no cure. It is important to consult with the CCHD team to determine if anyone in the home was exposed to the animal. Any person or pet that comes into contact with an infected animal is at risk of getting rabies.

“If you find a bat in your home, safely capture it or confine it to one room and immediately call the Clinton County Health Department to determine if the bat needs to be tested.” explained Amanda Masten, Senior Public Health Sanitarian in the Environmental Health & Safety Division at CCHD. “So far this year 43 people have received rabies post exposure shots compared to 15 at this time last year. Many of these could have been avoided if there had been a bat available to test”.

Follow these precautions to lower your risk of rabies exposure:

• Catch The Bat: If you discover a bat in your home, safely capture or contain it in one room and immediately call the health department at 518-565-4870. The Rabies Officers can help determine if the bat needs to be tested. If there is no bat available to test, then you and your family may need to receive post exposure rabies shots.

• Ensure Pets Are Vaccinated: Ensure that all pets, including dogs, cats, ferrets, and domesticated livestock, are up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations. Vaccination not only safeguards pets but also acts as a barrier against rabies transmission to humans. CCHD offers free rabies vaccinations for dogs, cats and ferrets. A full schedule of upcoming clinics can be found at

www.clintoncountyny.gov/health/news-and-events.

• Avoid Strange-Acting Wildlife: Exercise caution around wildlife, particularly if they exhibit abnormal or aggressive behavior. Do not approach or attempt to handle wild animals, even if they are injured. Teach children to do the same. Instead, contact a Certified Wildlife Rehabilitator. To find one near you visit: https://appfactory.dec.ny.gov/SpecialLicensesSearchSystem/rehab

• Report Suspected Cases: If you encounter a wild animal displaying unusual behavior such as aggression, disorientation, or excessive drooling, promptly notify local animal control or the health department.

• Prepare Your Home: Keep your property free of stored bird seed or other foods that may attract wild animals. Tightly cap or put away garbage cans. Board up any openings to your attic, basement, porch, or garage. If your home has a chimney, make sure it is capped with a screen. If a wild animal is living in a garage, shed, or other part of your home, contact a wild animal control expert to have them removed.

“Persons who have any physical mobility or other needs, call the telephone number above to arrange for accommodations”Additional information on rabies can be found in CCHD’s North Country Health Effect available at https://www.clintoncountyny.gov/sites/default/files/health/public-promotion/pdf/north-county-health-

effect/rabies.pdf

Applications for Dairy, Livestock, Specialty Crop and Aquaculture Producers Available

August 6, 2026 – Governor Kathy Hochul today is reminding New York producers that the deadline to apply for the $30 million Agricultural Resiliency Against Tariffs Program is approaching with applications due on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, by 11:59 p.m. The program, first announced in Governor Hochul’s 2026 State of the State address, will help offset rising costs and market loss that New York farmers faced in 2025 because of federal tariff policy. Applications for dairy, livestock, specialty crop and aquaculture producers are available here. Farmers are encouraged to begin the application process early to ensure all parts are completed and submitted by the deadline. Read more »

Grants to Municipalities, Not-for-Profit Organizations, and State Agencies to Expand and Restore Community Forests 

August 6, 2026 – Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that $20 million is now available through the second round of the Community Reforestation (CoRe) Grant Program. The goal of CoRe is to support tree planting projects that will create or restore forested natural areas in urban communities across the state.ugust 6, 20This grant round is funded by the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act (Bond Act). Projects funded by these grants will directly contribute to the “25 Million Trees Initiative,” launched in 2024 by Governor Hochul in recognition of the importance of trees and forests for climate resiliency and community health. CoRe also advances New York’s nation-leading climate agenda by increasing tree canopy in underserved communities, restoring natural systems, and improving environmental equity.

“Trees are one of our most effective tools for mitigating climate-related risks such as extreme heat, flooding, air pollution and droughts,” said Governor Hochul. “This funding will empower local partners to expand and restore forested landscapes in their communities that will clean our air and water, reduce flooding and erosion, moderate temperatures, support local economies and leave a lasting legacy for future generations.” 

Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton said, “Healthy urban forests are essential green infrastructure that cool and clean the air, filter stormwater, store carbon, provide wildlife habitat and protect biodiversity. Investment in resilient reforestation will create healthier ecosystems, more vibrant communities, and provide New Yorkers with greater access to forests close to where they live.”

Indigenous Nations, municipalities, soil and water conservation districts, not-for-profit organizations, and state agencies may apply for a minimum amount of $300,000 up to a maximum of $3,000,000, with no match required. Up to $4 million of the total funding is available for smaller projects (projects with a maximum funding request of $499,999). The remaining $16 million will be dedicated to larger projects. 

Eligible projects include planting trees, preparing sites for planting, removing competing or invasive vegetation that would interfere with seedling growth and installing tree protection to prevent deer browse. Funds cannot be used for real property (land) acquisition or for planting and maintenance of individual street or park trees. Projects that serve Disadvantaged Communities (DACs) or communities with low Tree Equity scores will receive additional points during scoring. 

DEC will host a webinar on Thursday, August 20, at 1:00 pm to provide information and answer questions about this funding opportunity. Registration is required to attend the webinar. Visit DEC’s website for more information. 

Applications will be accepted until 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 4, 2026. Applications must be submitted through the SFS Grants Management System (SFS). Those wishing to apply need to establish an account in SFS. Once registered, search SFS for “Community Reforestation” or “CoRe.” For more details about the grant opportunity, including application and scoring criteria, visit DEC’s website or email urbanforestry@dec.ny.gov. 

In addition to the CoRe Grant Program, $10 million in funding is still available for urban forest inventories and assessment grants through DEC’s Urban and Community Forestry Program. Applications for this grant will be accepted until 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. For more details about the grant opportunity, including application and scoring criteria, visit DEC’s website or email urbanforestry@dec.ny.gov. 

CSEA Agreements Cover More Than 55,000 New York State Employees

August 6, 2026 – Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the ratification of five-year labor agreements with each of the four bargaining units represented by the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA). In total, CSEA represents more than 55,000 New York State employees in a wide variety of roles. The agreements run from April 2, 2026 until April 1, 2031. 26 – Each agreement was overwhelmingly approved by CSEA members.

“Every day, dedicated CSEA members perform essential work to keep New York moving, and these agreements recognize those efforts while also serving as a fair deal for New York’s taxpayers,” Governor Hochul said. “Our valued public servants are the backbone of a strong Empire State, and I thank the members and leadership of CSEA for their dedication in continuing to help and serve their fellow New Yorkers.”

CSEA President Mary E. Sullivan said, “I thank Governor Hochul for working with CSEA to reach an agreement that reflects the value of our members and the vital services they provide. Every day, more than 55,000 CSEA members keep our roads safe, care for our most vulnerable neighbors, maintain our parks and campuses, protect our communities and deliver the public services New Yorkers depend on. This contract is an investment in them and in the future of our state.”

The ratified contracts each include the following raises across the five years of the agreement: 4.5 percent, 4 percent, 3.5 percent, 3 percent, and 3 percent. Boosts to location pay and several other unit-specific payments are also included in the contracts. Members also will gain 20 hours of paid pre-natal leave and an increase in the cap for sick leave accumulation. The agreements also include reasonable updates to health insurance that will reduce costs for members by eliminating certain co-pays and providing incentives to use in-network providers.

Click here for the Press-Republican story (You may need a subscription to read it) 

 Assemblyman Cashman votes for Medical Aid in Dying (A9515), February 2025

Plattsburgh, NY, August 6, 2026 –  “The Medical Aid in Dying (MAID) Act has finally gone into effect in New York State. After a multi-decade long fight for this change, New Yorkers meeting specific, carefully curated criteria will have this option available to them.”

“I have spent many years traveling to Albany alongside advocates from throughout the state to promote this legislation and have been a supporter of MAID for far longer. Meeting with fellow advocates and their families who have shared their stories as to why this legislation is so important to them, combined with my own lived experiences, have continuously reaffirmed my support of MAID. New Yorkers at large know the importance of providing this option, as polling consistently showed widespread support of MAID’s passage.”

“I am especially glad to see the many safeguards in place to prevent abuse or coercion for those making the decision to partake in medical aid in dying. Many shared their concerns about these potential abuses of MAID, and during the 2025 bill vote we were able to clarify and address these justified worries. The law accounts for clear patient consent and understanding, prevents financial encouragement for partaking in MAID, as well as providing various care plan paths before MAID is presented as an option.

“Terminally ill patients deserve compassion, dignity, and respect, especially in their final moments. MAID provides just that. Everyone should have the ability to determine what is best in their final moments, and I am proud to have supported MAID’s final vote during the most recent legislative session.

“I thank Assembly bill sponsor Assemblymember Paulin for her continued dedication to this issue and all the advocates who tirelessly fought for this bill to come to a final vote.”

Some of the safeguards included in this legislation include:

• Patients must be mentally capable adults with a prognosis of six months or less to live, as verified by two independent physicians; and
• Patient must have a mental health evaluation to determine that they have decision making capacity; and
• Patients must make a verbal request for medical aid in dying, as well as submit a written request; and
• Such request must be witnessed by two individuals, neither of whom can be a relative, heir, or affiliated with an owner, operator, or employee of the health care facility where the patient is receiving care; and
• The witnesses must have no financial interest in the patient’s estate; and
• Patients must record an audio or video request for medical aid in dying; and
• A prescription for medical aid in dying medication may not be filled until 5 days after the prescription is written; and
• Patients must be capable of self-administering the medication, ensuring that the final act is a voluntary and deliberate choice; and
• Physicians are required to inform patients of all available end-of-life care options, including hospice and palliative care.

The weekly Town of Schuyler Falls  Music in the Park at Jefferson Dukette Memorial Park 618 Salmon River Rd is CANCELED for this Friday August 7 due to the threat of inclement weather / thunderstorms. The concert next and following Fridays is of course still on schedule!!   

Legislation allows licensed entrepreneurs entrance to farmers’ markets & other public market events

Click here for the Sun Community News story 

Click here for the Sun Community News story 

The State of New York will help its citizens kill themselves beginning today.” ‘No amount of clinical language — ‘medical aid in dying,’ ‘end-of-life option,’ ‘compassionate care’ — changes what this law is: state-sanctioned assisted suicide. The Conservative Party will take no pleasure in saying we told you so as New York continues down this nihilistic path. “Canada legalized assisted death in 2016 for the terminally ill; within five years it expanded to those whose deaths were not ‘reasonably foreseeable.’ Canadian lawmakers are openly debating extending it to the mentally ill. In the Netherlands and Belgium, eligibility has crept from terminal illness to psychiatric suffering to children. In every jurisdiction that has adopted assisted suicide, the ‘strict safeguards’ of year one become the ‘barriers to access’ of year 10. There is no example — anywhere — of these laws contracting. They only expand. “Governor Kathy Hochul assures New Yorkers that the checks and balances she signed into law — a six-month prognosis, two physicians, a five-day waiting period, a recorded request — will protect the vulnerable. But those safeguards cannot survive the moral inconsistency at the heart of this law. New York spends millions on suicide prevention hotlines while its Health Department now issues guidance on suicide facilitation. We tell the healthy young person in despair that his life has inherent worth, and we tell the sick elderly person in despair that ending hers is a dignified choice. A state cannot hold both positions. One of them will give way. “The pressure this law places on society’s most vulnerable — the elderly, the disabled, the poor, those who fear being a ‘burden’ on their families — is not hypothetical. It is documented in every jurisdiction that has preceded us down this path. A right to die becomes, quietly and inevitably, a duty to die. “True compassion is presence, palliative care, and hospice — not a deadly prescription and a hastened goodbye. The Conservative Party stood against this law, we stand against it today, and we will stand with every New Yorker whose life the State of New York has just declared negotiable.”

Was – The Battle of Valcour Island – before, during and after. With Reenactor and Historian Craig Russell. Hear the story of the most important naval battle of the Revolutionary War – fought on our lake on October 11, 1776.

Now – Echoes if we listen  with Helen Nerska based on the newest Clinton County Historical Association CCHA Revolutionary War exhibit: Native, Women and Black Patriots in Focus. Discover how each group contributed to the cause with expectations that were not realized.

Click here for the Vermont Public story 

1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER

1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
2. ROLL CALL
3. APPROVAL of June 2026 minutes
4. OPEN FLOOR TO PUBLIC HEARING
5. APPLICATIONS:
   1. File # P-2026-008 – Site Plan Review – Parcel ID# 280.1-9-40 – 38 Pleasant St. – John Canning – APPLICANT SEEKS TO CHANGE FROM A DUPLEX TO A TRIPLEX APARTMENT BUILDING BY TURNING THE 2ND FLOOR OF HOME INTO A ONE-BEDROOM APARTMENT.
   2. File # P-2026-010 – Minor 2-Lot Subdivision – Parcel ID# 269.-1-30 – 3219 Rt. 22 – Lynn & Howard Manning Jr. – APPLICANTS SEEK TO CREATE A 6.04 ACRE LOT OUT OF THEIR EXISTING 22.5 ACRE PROPERTY.

State had been keeping the lights on for nearly four years after facility’s closure

Click here for the Adirondack Explorer story 

July 30, 2026 – State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Jefferson County District Attorney Kristyna S. Mills, and New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James announced the arrest of the former chief of the Cape Vincent Ambulance Squad (CVAS) for allegedly stealing over $157,000 for unauthorized salaries, bonuses, and vacation time for himself and others. The defendant, Jeffrey J. Call, 55, of Three Mile Bay, was charged with grand larceny in the second degree, and one count of falsifying business records.

CVAS is a paid, non-profit ambulance service that operates in Jefferson County and receives funding from multiple sources including local municipalities. In addition to working at CVAS, Call also worked for the Guilfoyle Ambulance Service (Guilfoyle), a for-profit company in Watertown, N.Y.

“Jeffrey Call allegedly exploited his position of trust to divert resources that were supposed to be used to protect the health and well-being of his community,” DiNapoli said. “My office partners with law enforcement throughout the state to hold those who violate the public trust accountable. My thanks to D.A. Mills and the New York State Police for their continued partnership in fighting public corruption.”

“Public trust is the foundation of public service. When someone entrusted with serving their community instead abuses that position for personal financial gain, the New York State Police will work diligently with our law enforcement partners to ensure they are held accountable. I commend our members, the Office of the State Comptroller, and the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office for their commitment to conducting a thorough investigation and protecting taxpayer resources,” James said.

In late 2024, the CVAS board discovered that Call was paying himself and others unauthorized salaries instead of the approved hourly wage and reported the allegations of fraud to the State Police, who contacted DiNapoli’s office and a joint investigation commenced. Read more »

August 03, 2026- Saranac Lake, NY- Governor Hochul visits newly opened Pendragon Theater in Saranac Lake (Darren McGee/ Office of Governor Kathy Hochul)

August 03, 2026- Saranac Lake, NY- Governor Hochul visits newly opened Pendragon Theater in Saranac Lake (Darren McGee/ Office of Governor Kathy Hochul)

August 03, 2026- Saranac Lake, NY- Governor Hochul visits newly opened Pendragon Theater in Saranac Lake (Darren McGee/ Office of Governor Kathy Hochul)

$11 Million Project — Supported by More Than $6.2 Million from the State — Positions the Theatre as a Cultural and Community Anchor

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced an additional $750,000 state investment to close the final funding gap for Pendragon Theatre. Earlier this year, the Governor announced the opening of Pendragon Theatre’s new downtown facility in Saranac Lake valued at more than $11 million. The additional funding for the new theatre at 56 Woodruff Street, where a vacant grocery store once stood, represents a significant investment in the region’s cultural infrastructure and a major milestone for one of the Adirondacks’ leading performing arts organizations.

“The Pendragon Theatre is a testament to what is possible when we prioritize the arts as a catalyst for downtown revitalization,” Governor Hochul said. “What was just a vacant grocery store in the middle of the Saranac Lake community was transformed into not only a performing arts space but also a year-round gathering space that residents and visitors can call home.”

The additional $750,000 state investment closes Pendragon Theatre’s final funding gap and provides the theatre with a permanent home designed to support expanded year-round programming, foster artistic development and increase access to live theatre for residents and visitors. The theatre serves as a cultural anchor in downtown Saranac Lake, contributing to ongoing revitalization efforts and supporting regional economic growth through increased tourism and local engagement.

The project was supported through a combination of public and private investment, including support from various state agencies, reflecting New York State’s continued commitment to strengthening arts and culture as key drivers of economic development. New York State provided more than $6.2 million to the project, including a $2.5 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant, a $2 million Empire State Development Restore NY grant to the Village of Saranac Lake, a $500,000 ESD Market NY grant, a $750,000 discretionary grant from ESD, $400,000 via two New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Smart Growth grants and a $145,000 New York State Council on the Arts grant.

PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. — Adirondack Community Connections (ACC) is inviting the community to help fight food insecurity during its Community Food Drive on Saturday, August 9, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Trinity Park in Plattsburgh.

The event will collect non-perishable food items and canned goods for two organizations serving neighbors throughout the North Country: the Plattsburgh Interfaith Food Shelf and The Alliance for Positive Health Food Shelter. ACC has set an ambitious goal of collecting 1,000 pounds of food in a single afternoon.

Community members are encouraged to stop by with shelf-stable donations, including canned vegetables, fruit, soup, beans, pasta, rice, cereal, peanut butter, and other non-perishable staples. Every donation, no matter the size, will help local organizations meet the growing need for food assistance.

“Food insecurity affects individuals and families from every walk of life,” said Patricia Barnett, Vice President of Adirondack Community Connections. “This food drive is about neighbors helping neighbors. We hope the community will join us in making a meaningful difference for local food programs that serve people every day.”

Founded to strengthen connections across the North Country, Adirondack Community Connections works to bring people, organizations, and resources together through service projects, volunteerism, and community partnerships. The organization’s mission is rooted in the belief that stronger communities are built through collaboration, compassion, and civic engagement. 

ACC encourages residents, businesses, civic organizations, and faith communities to participate by donating food or helping spread the word about the event.

Event Details

What: Adirondack Community Connections Community Food Drive
When: Saturday, August 9, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: Trinity Park, Plattsburgh, New York
Requested Donations: Non-perishable food items and canned goods
Beneficiaries: Plattsburgh Interfaith Food Shelf and The Alliance for Positive Health Food Shelter
Goal: Collect 1,000 pounds of food

For more information about Adirondack Community Connections or to learn how to get involved, follow ACC on social media or contact the organization directly.