The Peru Gazette

“The guns recovered from the scene of the shooting were purchased from an individual who is allegedly a resident of Orleans, Vermont.”

Click here for the MYNBC5 story 

Peru – CVPH Donor Center Blood Brive, Monday, February 17, from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at St. Augustine’s Parish Center, 3030 Main St. in Peru. St. Augustine’s Knights of Columbus Council 7273 is coordinating the drive.

Peru Town Board January 27, 2025 Meeting Summary 

By John T Ryan

Youth Director Kristen Marino suggested a moment of silence, saying, “We have a heavy heart that one of our staunchest supporters, Geoff Spear, passed away yesterday.” Marino said Spear helped at Applefest, with the Youth Commission’s summer program, and at camp. She added, “His entire family pitches in as well.” (See the 36:18 minute mark in the accompanying video)

In her report, Marino said two to five basketball games are held at Peru Central on Saturdays beginning at 8 a.m. All is going well, and the custodial staff is very cooperative. Finney Sports is giving the town reasonable apparel prices and the Youth Commission website is up and running.

AES Northeast Engineer Nathan Bull reported that good local and out-of-town contractors are interested in the wastewater treatment plant upgrade project. Two permits are outstanding; however, Bull expects them to be received within a week. The bid opening is scheduled for February 25 at 10 a.m. Bull said he’ll meet with Town Supervisor Craig Randall to discuss project funding.

Supervisor Craig Randall stated that engineers report no schedule changes in the Telegraph Road bridge replacement project. The town plans to advertise for bids on August 15, 2025. Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell forwarded a 144-page Army Corp. – DEC document to our engineers for review.

The board approved its 2025 contracts with the Peru Free Library, Peru JCEO Outreach, and Essex County. The town budgets $80,000 annually for the library, pays JCEO $15,811 twice a year for its services, and plows Terry’s Mountain’s parking lot for $70 per visit.

Eagles Nest Veterinarian Services will continue providing dangerous dog services to the town at a $500 annual flat rate.

The board approved the Highway Department’s purchase of a 2025 Chevrolet pickup truck with a plow-equipped, state-contracted price of $70,632. Joe Basil Chevrolet of Buffalo was the low bidder. 

The board tabled a resolution to purchase a new pickup for the Water-Sewer-Parks Department pending the determination of the payment source.

A sewer department employee will attend a two-day training program for grinder truck repair in Clifton Park.

The board tabled a Verizon request to support an undefined issue pending more information.

The town received a $211,640.78 Clinton County sales tax revenue check. Supervisor Randall will ask the County if it will send more checks this year. The board budgeted $326,466 in 2025 sales tax revenue.

Courtney Tetreault reported that the Sullivan Park ice rink is in good shape, and people are using it. 

Supervisor Craig Randall thanked confidential secretary Pam Barber for working through the recent payroll system platform change. Although it came at the end of the year, when she was busy with many reports, Barber worked through the challenge successfully.

The board adjourned to the Executive Session at 6:45 p.m. to discuss personnel issues. 

25.01.27 Regular Meeting Minutes. Added 1/12/25

“Our 40-year history has shown the remarkable compassion of Americans towards those who stood alongside US troops, escaped violent conflicts, and those seeking hope and freedom,” Joe Wiah, executive director of the council

Click here for the VTDigger story 

Click here for the VTDigger story 

“He was called the N-word. His head was compared to a chimpanzee’s skull. A banana was waved at him with comments about him looking like he needed it.”

Click here for the VTDigger story 

“His love for the game of soccer and deep dedication to our student-athletes was evident in everything he did.”

Click here for the Sun Community News story 

Sarah Beamon was found with 2+ ounces of meth, cocaine and a weapon

Click here for the Sun Community News story 

She posed as a student and attacked a teacher in front of students

Click here for the Syracuse.com story 

Click here for the VTDigger story 

1. Call Meeting to Order

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Roll Call

4. MOTION:  Approval of Minutes for the Regular Meeting of January 13, 2025 and 2025 Organizational Meeting of January 13, 2025

5. Community Input. 

6. DISCUSSION:  AES Northeast Update on the Wastewater Treatment Plant Project.

7. DISCUSSION/MOTION:    Engineering Update on Telegraph Road.

8. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Approve 2025 Peru Free Library Contract

9. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Approve 2025 JCEO Contract.

10. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Approve 2025 Essex County Snowplowing Contract for Terry Mountain.

11. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Approve 6 6-month contract with Eagle’s Veterinary Hospital for Dangerous Dog Holding.

12. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Approve or Reject Bids for a Highway Pickup Truck.

13. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Approve or Reject Bids for a W/S/V Pickup Truck.

14. DISCUSSION:  Approval of One Person Going to the E-One Service Training in Clifton Park for Two Days.

15. DISCUSSION/MOTION:  

16. DISCUSSION:  Other Business. 

17. DISCUSSION:  Public Comments on Agenda Items Only.

18. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Pay Bills – December 2024

19. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Pay Bills – January 2025

20. MOTION:  Adjourn to Executive Session.

21. MOTION:  Return from Executive Session. 

22. MOTION:     Adjourn.

Geoffrey Spear of Peru was traveling north on State Route 9 when he lost control of his Chevy Silverado due to a medical event.

Click here for the MYNBC5 story 

Beginning Monday, February 3, 2025, local AARP Foundation volunteers will offer senior citizens, families, and individuals free income tax preparation services. Service is by appointment only at the Senior Citizens’ Council of Clinton County, 5139 North Catherine Street, Plattsburgh. 

Beginning Monday, January 20, taxpayers can call 518.314.9762 to leave a voicemail with their name and phone number or email taxclintoncounty@gmail.com with their name and phone number. Foundation volunteers then contact taxpayers to arrange appointments with an IRS-certified volunteer tax preparer. (Taxpayers should add 518.314.9762 to their contact list to distinguish it from spam.) Appointments usually take about 2 hours. AARP membership is not required. AARP Foundation TaxAide in Plattsburgh will operate through Friday, April 11. 

Taxpayers who want to use another AARP Foundation TaxAide site besides Plattsburgh can search the AARPfoundation.org website, click on “Find Help,” scroll down to “Financial Security,” click “Get Free Help ZFiling Taxes,” and search by ZIP code.

The Adirondack Center for Writing (ACW) invites North Country residents to participate in its tenth annual installment of Poem Village.

Since 2016, ACW has been creating a series of posters, or broadsides, displaying poems written by North Country residents of all ages and experience levels. These broadsides are installed in shop windows in North Country towns and villages during April to build community and beautify the otherwise dreary mud season.

In 2024, ACW built successful partnerships with SLC Arts and the Downtown Artists Cellar, extending Poem Village beyond Saranac Lake to St. Lawrence County and Malone. This year, the project will expand again to include Plattsburgh thanks to a new collaboration with Outside Art: Plattsburgh Public Art Project.

“It’s incredible to see how Poem Village has evolved over the past decade,” said ACW’s executive director Nathalie Thill. “What began as a way to brighten Saranac Lake’s mud season has expanded to other villages and become a cherished tradition for so many Adirondack writers – from published authors to grade school kids. Last year, we had over 200 people submit a poem!”

Guidelines for submission:

Poems must be under 25 lines or less than 300 words, whichever comes first, and must be the original work of the person submitting. Poets must reside at least part-time in the North Country. ACW accepts all submissions as long as they follow these criteria and do not express any hateful views or content that could harm the general public. The deadline for submissions is March 17, 2025.

For more information and to submit a poem, visit adirondackcenterforwriting.org/poemvillage.

The Adirondack Center for Writing has been bringing people and words together for 25 years through provocative events and meaningful programs. For more information about ACW, visit adirondackcenterforwriting.org or follow @adkctr4writing on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Click here for the Syracuse.com editorial 

Click here for the Adirondack Almanac Opinion Piece

Click here for information 

Feb 5, Noon. Talk and Walk Wednesdays at Clinton County Historical Association, 98 Ohio Avenue, Plattsburgh. Come for an inside look at the CCHA Portrait Collection and learn about its history. Then, CCHA President and exhibit designer Geri Favreau will give a special tour of the Prohibition Gallery.

February 11, 6:45 pm, Lake Forest Retirement Community, 8 Lake Forest Drive, Plattsburgh. The History of Railroads in Clinton County – Lyon Mountain (Part IV). Transportation Historian Dick Soper will share the history of rail development which opened up Clinton County to new markets and eventually to new tourism and a past we now take for granted. This is the fourth in a 5-part series spanning the history of Clinton County rail development from 1833 to the present, including photographs, newspaper articles, aerial videos, and information from the large collection of railroad books recently added to the Clinton County Historical Association’s research library.

February 13, 2:30 pm – Meadowbrook Healthcare, 154 Prospect Avenue, Plattsburgh. Portraits and Painters of the Early Champlain Valley (1800-1865) with Helen Nerska. Slides from a 1975 SUNY Plattsburgh exhibit with reflections on the painters’ history and the sitters’ lives.

February 21, 12:30 pm, Plattsburgh Senior Center, 5139 North Catherine Street, Plattsburgh. The History of Railroads in Clinton County – Lyon Mountain (Part IV). Transportation Historian Dick Soper will share the history of rail development, which opened up Clinton County to new markets and eventually to new tourism and a past we now take for granted. This is the fourth in a 5-part series spanning the history of Clinton County rail development from 1833 to the present, including photographs, newspaper articles, aerial videos, and information from the large collection of railroad books recently added to the Clinton County Historical Association’s research library.

February 27, 6:30 pm, Clinton County Historical Association, 98 Ohio Avenue, Plattsburgh. The History of Railroads in Clinton County – Plattsburgh (Part V). Transportation Historian Dick Soper will share the history of rail development, which opened up Clinton County to new markets and eventually to new tourism and a past we now take for granted.  This is the last of a 5-part series spanning the history of Clinton County rail development from 1833 to the present, including photographs, newspaper articles, aerial videos, and information from the large collection of railroad books recently added to the Clinton County Historical Association’s research library.

By John T Ryan

Bruce Drive residents John Roberts and Karyn Langlas expressed disappointment that construction on the closed Telegraph Bridge may not occur this year. At a December board meeting, Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell stated that it’s his “gut feeling” that construction may not begin in 2025. Bid opening is August 15, which Farrell has said is not the best time of year to gear up and begin construction in this region. Langlais questioned “gut feelings.” stating, “We’re looking for facts, not feelings. It’s twelve miles out of my way for two vehicles every day.” Roberts said the delays seem excessive, given that it’s been 18 months since the town learned it had to replace the bridge. Roberts and Langlais said there didn’t appear to have been a follow-up with engineers until she and Roberts started pushing. Town Supervisor Craig Randall responded that there had been follow-up over the last two months. Counselor Eric Duquette commented that, in his experience, engineering firms are hard to push and that environmental approvals take a lot of time. Farrell cited the mussel study as a hold-up. (See video 2:20 to 10:25 minute mark for this discussion.)

The board approved two contracts with Atlantic Testing Laboratories for subsurface and geotechnical evaluation services related to the Lyons Road ($23,805) and Fuller Road ($23,580) culverts. 

The board also accepted Ryan Davies’s resignation from the Planning Board, reappointed Richard Williams as Chairman, and appointed Justin Wilson as Vice-Chairman. 

The board authorized advertising bids on the multi-million million dollar treatment plant upgrades. See Peru Gazette Story 

Michael Farrell will travel to Albany on Monday, March 5, to participate in lobbying for state highway improvement funding (CHIPS). Farrell said he hadn’t determined the 2025 paving schedule but would pave Telegraph Road until the bridge. The Highway Department maintains 83 miles of town roads. 

Courtney Tetrault advised the board that the town hall basement ceiling needs attention. 

Click here to read meeting minutes – Posted 1/28/25

1/25/25 1:20 PM Correction –  Telegraph Road construction corrected from 2024 to 2025.