The Peru Gazette

Faculty opened its labs, shared microscopes for North Country students

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Monday, June 10, 2024 – Peru Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell recently indicated that the bridge close to Telegraph Rd would not reopen until about July 2026. At the town board meeting on Monday, June 10, Town Attorney Matt Favero said a concerned resident had called him about the issue. Farrell explained his reasoning by citing the slow DEC and the Army Corps of Engineers permitting process. Later in the meeting, the Peru Gazette asked why the town didn’t replace the bridge when it closed the road to replace the culvert at Telegraph Road- and Sullivan Rd intersection. The fact that there are three homes between the culvert and the bridge is a primary reason. Farrell also hoped to get a Bridges, NY grant. Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear the town will qualify for a grant. Replacing the bridge is estimated at $1.5 million. The culvert job cost the town an estimated $2 million without grant funding.

Peru—On Friday, June 7, 2024, the Peru JCEO Outreach Center departed Peru Town Hall for a nearby location: St. Augustine’s Parish Center at 3030 Main St. Town Supervisor Brandy McDonald noted the change at the Board’s Monday, June 10 board meeting.

JCEO’s Director of Community Outreach, Lisa Goodrow, told the Peru Gazette that the primary reason for the move is more functional space. “Now, we’ll be able to have a separate walk-through food pantry and more office space. The new space is also much better for food delivery. The town hall’s ramp is steep and challenging to navigate.”

Breana Warren staffs the JCEO Outreach Office Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 4 p.m. Ms. Warren checks the old phone, 518-643-8455, several times daily. JCEO is working to get her an office cell phone.

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Original six-week construction delay now anticipated through the summer

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Peru Gazette March 2024 file photo

Peru Gazette March 2024 file photo

Peru Gazette March 2024 file photo

Seven of ten municipalities received a 90-day cancellation notice

Sheltering legislation due to go into effect in December 2025 has forced Elmore SPCA to make some difficult decisions regarding services provided to Clinton County municipalities.  In a recent New York State Animal Protection Federation (NYSAPF) consultant review of the Elmore facility and its operations, it was made clear that immediate action was necessary to show a good faith attempt to move towards compliance with the new regulations.

• Reduce its animal population
• Eliminate use of some areas of the shelter
• Reduce dog control services for future population control

The Elmore facility is of our greatest concern. The new law specifically addresses shelter space and the shelter facility environment for both dogs and cats.  Left unaddressed Elmore SPCA closure by NYS Agriculture & Markets is certain.

With less than an 18-month deadline, some at NYSAPF and NYS Agriculture & Markets are indicating shelters working towards compliance will not likely be immediately shut down, but no one knows what facility or time allowances will be given.

Elmore has concerns that some NYS shelters will resort to euthanasia to be operationally compliant with the new legislation, as the short-term holding of animals has more facility leniency.  Elmore is steadfast in our commitment against euthanasia as a solution.

Our board and shelter employees are prioritizing and moving to take appropriate action to get our current facility to operate within guidelines, even though it means that we will have to greatly reduce the number of animals we will be able to help.  Areas of concentration will begin with modification to existing kennel space, HVAC system, emergency power availability and noise controls.

All municipalities will continue to provide dog control services, unfortunately Elmore SPCA is no longer able to continue to be the shelter service provider at these locations.

•             Town of AuSable
•             Town of Beekmantown
•             Town of Champlain/Rouses Point
•             Town of Chazy
•             Town of Dannemora
•             City of Plattsburgh
•             Town of Plattsburgh

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Note: A list of key highlights and takeaways is available at lcbp.org/press.

Grand Isle, VT – The Patrick Leahy Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP) released today’s 2024 State of the Lake and Ecosystem Indicators Report. Drawing on the most recent scientific data, the report provides a comprehensive assessment of the condition of Lake Champlain.

The report documents ongoing challenges and recent successes in managing the lake’s water quality and ecosystem. Produced every three years, it reflects the most current scientific data and resource management approaches. The report’s Ecosystem Indicators Scorecard provides the status and trend for key water quality and ecosystem parameters.

Dr. Eric Howe, NEIWPCC Program Director of the Lake Champlain Basin Program, said, “Sound science and evidence-based management are more important than ever. The 2024 State of the Lake Report provides a timely update on what the data is telling us about our progress and remaining challenges in protecting clean water and habitat in the Lake Champlain basin.”

“The State of the Lake provides high-quality information to guide EPA and our partners on how to improve water quality and conserve important habitat for people who live, work, and play in the Basin,” said EPA Region 1 Regional Administrator David W. Cash. “While the data shows improvements in water quality and fish and wildlife habitat, we still have a lot of work to do, including significantly further reductions in nutrient pollution to the lake.”

“Lake Champlain is a jewel, and EPA is proud to continue to address and improve water quality from harmful run-off and other challenges facing the lake,” said EPA Region 2 Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. “As this report illustrates, conditions in the lake are improving but threats like climate change remain.”

“The State of the Lake Report is an important resource for understanding the health of the Lake Champlain ecosystem,” said Agency of Natural Resources Secretary Julie Moore. “This report brings together valuable data from all three jurisdictions that surround Lake Champlain – Vermont, New York and Quebec – painting a comprehensive picture of lake health and providing insights that guide our shared work that will help restore and sustain Lake Champlain for generations to come.”

“DEC and the Lake Champlain Basin Program have worked together for decades to address water quality and environmental challenges facing Lake Champlain,” New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar said. “As the impacts of climate change present real and tangible challenges to protect our waterways, I join all of the partners of this program in celebrating the successes noted in the most recent State of the Lake report and the collective efforts to protect and support this vital body of water and the watershed system that feeds it.”

Marie-Claude Francoeur, Québec Delegate to New England, said, “It is with great enthusiasm that the Québec government welcomes the release of the 2024 State of the Lake and Ecosystem Indicators Report. We look forward to continue actively working with our partners from Vermont and New York State on the management of the Lake Champlain and its basin for the benefit of current and future generations. I want to once again thank and congratulate the LCBP team and the various committees for their efforts towards the many successes highlighted in the report as well as their tireless work tackling the challenges that remain.”

Susan Sullivan, NEIWPCC Executive Director, said, “NEIWPCC is excited that the State of the Lake report continues to show the work that NEIWPCC’s Lake Champlain Basin Program and our partners do to support the watershed.”

The impacts of climate change are among the greatest challenges. The lake—which froze over nearly every year in the past—now freezes once every five years and is expected to freeze over just once per decade by 2050.

More frequent and intense rainstorms like those experienced in the Lake Champlain Basin in 2023 will likely cause increased erosion and nutrient loading to the lake. Warmer air and lake temperatures work against efforts to reduce the occurrence of cyanobacteria blooms, which continue to close beaches on the hottest summer days.

Despite these challenges, water quality monitoring on the lake provides hope in some areas that historically have been problematic. For example, while still higher than the target, phosphorus concentrations in Missisquoi Bay show a general downward trend since 2018.

The report includes several other positive findings on clean water and ecosystem health. Mercury levels in all monitored sport fish have returned to a downward trend, after an upward trend observed in the 2018 report.

Atlantic salmon are native to Lake Champlain and prized by anglers, but wounding by sea lamprey has contributed to population declines. Wounding rates have been below targeted limits for the last three years, improving the viability of restoration efforts.

No new aquatic invasive species (AIS) have been documented since 2018, despite threats from AIS in surrounding water bodies. The round goby, an aquatic invasive of particular concern, is “on the doorstep” of Lake Champlain. Partners throughout the basin are working proactively to prevent its introduction.

A healthy Lake Champlain relies on communities that have the capacity to implement programs to protect the Basin’s resources and individuals who are involved as stewards of the Lake. The 2024 State of the Lake reports that residents are aware of water quality challenges and prioritize clean water in their communities, but more work is needed to transform awareness into action.

New programs that provide free access to recreation and cultural resources are increasing lake enjoyment and participation in its management. Multilingual outreach and messaging are helping to better inform members of diverse communities about fishing regulations, water quality, and human health.

The report follows the framework of the LCBP’s management plan Opportunities for Action, which defines the following four goals: Clean Water, Healthy Ecosystems, Informed and Involved Public, and Thriving Communities. It is informed by the expertise of dozens of scientific and resource management partners.

Free copies of the 2024 State of the Lake Report are available by calling the Lake Champlain Basin Program at (802) 372-3213. An electronic version may be found at sol.lcbp.org. A French version of the full document will be posted online in late June.

For more information, please call Eric Howe at (802) 372-3213 or email ehowe@lcbp.org.

Will take the helm of the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism July 15

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Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell anticipates the completion date of the closed Telegraph Road Bridge for July 2026. According to Farrell, acquiring DEC and the Army Corps. permits, along with the design, engineering, and construction, will take approximately two years. On May 29, the board hired C&S Engineering to design and oversee the project at a cost not exceeding $245,000.

The board approved financing of water treatment plant upgrades, which are estimated to cost up to $9.4 million. The engineering firm Barton and Loguidice of Albany, NY, evaluated the necessary changes and will apply for grant funding on behalf of the town. Hopefully, this significant investment will ensure the town’s compliance with all water quality laws. See the Peru Gazette story for details. 

As reported by the Peru Gazette on May 29, Town Supervisor Brandy McDonald announced his decision to step down this September or October. McDonald’s cited downsizing, not finding a suitable home in Peru, finding one in Plattsburgh, and the fact that he and his wife work in Plattsburgh as reasons for his decision. He said he loves Peru and its people, but this decision is right.

The town is purchasing two electronic message signs for the highway department from Donnelly Construction for $14,000 each. The signs are new and still in their original packing.

Recreation Director Kristen Marino reported that “all summer sports are through the roof, including tennis, arts and crafts and soccer.  Two hundred sixty-seven youths signed up for soccer, so much so that she’s planning to reopen registration on July 1. Marion also plans to add two boys Pony League teams.

The board accepted NYSE&G’s proposal to install 19 LED street lights in the hamlet at $2,418.97 (total cost). Pam Barber reported that the NYS Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) awarded Peru a $10,000 grant because of the town’s previous energy conservation upgrades.

The Peru Town Market’s community use application for Heyworth Mason Park was approved at $100 per occasion. Town Markets are scheduled for June 30, July 28, August 25, September 15, and October 20.

Code Enforcement Officer Bob Guynup reported that one resident submitted a Letter of Interest to serve as an Alternate Zoning Board of Appeals member.  One more alternate is needed. The interested person read the Peru Gazette’s editorial on the need for volunteers.

At 6:55 PM, the meeting adjourned to an executive session regarding a personnel issue.

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Nily Rozic today announced the Assembly has passed Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation (SAFE) for Kids Act and the New York Child Data Protection Act to help protect kids from addictive social media feeds and digital monitoring which could follow them for the rest of their lives. The passage of these is the first significant advancement in online child protection in New York since the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule (COPPA) went into effect in 2000.

“As technology evolves, so must the ways we protect our kids from harm – both on and offline,” Speaker Heastie said. “These bills will give parents the tools to help protect kids from predatory practices that impact their mental health by eliminating the addictive personalized feeds and will make online privacy the default for New York’s children, preventing companies from collecting and using their data. Thank you to our Assembly sponsor Nily Rozic and to Governor Kathy Hochul, Attorney General Letitia James and our partners in the Senate for all the work they’ve done on this to make online spaces safer for kids.”

“We must do all that we can to protect our kids from the harmful influence of addictive algorithms and unchecked data collection, the passage of the SAFE for Kids Act and the NY Child Data Protection Act are the straightforward first step in that effort,” said Assemblymember Rozic. “These new laws signal that New York is taking the lead in putting New Yorkers’ safety and privacy at the forefront. I thank Speaker Heastie, Governor Hochul, Attorney General James, and Senator Gounardes for their collaborative efforts in order to protect young people in the digital age.”

“Our children are enduring a mental health crisis, and social media is fueling the fire and profiting from the epidemic,” said Attorney General James. “The legislation my team worked on and supported along with bill sponsors Senator Gounardes and Assemblymember Rozic will help address the addictive features that have made social media so insidious and anxiety-producing. I applaud Governor Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Heastie, and the legislative majorities for supporting this legislation and for agreeing that protecting children’s mental health must be a top priority. New York state is once again leading the nation, and I hope other states will follow suit and pass legislation to protect children and put their mental health above big tech companies’ profits.”

Social media platforms have developed addictive, personalized feeds that are designed to keep users engaged on the platform. These feeds have been tied to higher rates of depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation and self-harm in children. The SAFE for Kids Act (A.8148, Rozic) will prohibit social media platforms from providing these addictive feeds to children younger than 18 without parental consent. It would also require platforms to obtain parental consent in order to send notifications to children between 12:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.

The New York Child Data Protection Act (A.8149, Rozic) will ensure that privacy is the default for minors, protecting their privacy and personal data by prohibiting online sites from collecting, using, sharing or processing the data of individuals under the age of 18. This will keep websites and digital services from keeping a record children’s online lives and decisions that could potentially be used against them.

According to school employees, the police wanted the reenactment ‘to be as realistic as possible.’

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