The Peru Gazette

2021 July 4th Parade. Mayor Rosenquest appeared to enjoy it. Peru Gazette photo

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1. Call Meeting to Order
2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Roll Call 

4. MOTION/DISCUSSION:  To Accept Reports from all Departments: (Water/Sewer/Valcour; Highway; Town Clerk; Dog Control; Youth Department; Code/Zoning; Supervisor’s Report; Court; Website; and Banking Reports);

5. MOTION:  Acceptance of Minutes for the Regular Meeting of January 25, 2024.

6. Community Input. 

7. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Approval to Award the Cook Rd. Culvert Bid.

8. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Renewal of LayerEight Group’s MSP Contract.

9. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Close Capital Project H-31 Bank Southside EPG Account.

10. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Close Capital Project H-32 Lagoon Bank Account

11. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Approval of 2 Hour Compensation Time for W/S On-call Employees.

12. DISCUSSION/MOTION: Request for Moratorium on Self-Storage Units.

13. DISCUSSION/MOTION: Request for Town to Apply to NYS Pro-Housing Communities Program.

14. DISCUSSION/MOTION: Heyworth Mason Murals.

15. DISCUSSION:  Other Business.

16. DISCUSSION:  Public Comments on Agenda Items Only.

17. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Pay January 2024 Bills.

18. MOTION:  Adjourn to Executive Session.

19. MOTION:  Return from Executive Session. 

20. MOTION: Adjourn Meeting.

Shakes felt across the St. Lawrence River Valley, according to the United States Geological Survey.

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Teagan Benjamin is an anthropology major at SUNY Plattsburgh

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Town partners with regional organizations and businesses for family activities over February break

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UVM Health Network News Release  – Technological improvements to better meet patient needs

 Burlington, Vt. – It’s a life altering diagnosis that someone in Vermont and northern New York hears every day, “I’m sorry, you have cancer.” At a time when these patients are most vulnerable and looking for the best possible chance for survival, The University of Vermont Health Network is responding with an

investment in advanced technology that is a major step forward in the delivery of lifesaving radiation treatments patients need, close to home.

The Network is partnering with Varian – a company that specializes in imaging and cancer care technologies and services – on a multi-year strategy to replace and upgrade six state-of-the-art linear accelerators at Central Vermont Medical Center, The University of Vermont Medical Center, Alice Hyde Medical Center

and Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital. These machines are an important weapon for people requiring radiation therapy, targeting their tumors with pinpoint accuracy while preventing harm to nearby healthy tissue. They are used to treat cancers in numerous areas of the body, including brain, spine, lung, breast,

esophagus, stomach, rectum, uterus, prostate, bladder, liver and bones.

In addition to the new accelerators, a shared patient oncology care planning system and cloud-based software will be installed at the hospitals, allowing health system cancer experts to review patient treatment plans regardless of where in the Network a patient receives care. The work is part of the UVM Health Network’s commitment to provide patients in our region with high quality care in the state-of-the-art, modern facilities they deserve.

“The promise of our Network lies in the goal that no matter where you live in our region, Read more »

The Peru Central School District Hall of Fame is accepting nominations for potential candidates.  The District Hall of Fame is designed to recognize individuals who have made a significant impact on our school or achieved an outstanding contribution(s) to society as a graduate of Peru CSD. The candidate must have attended, been employed, served, or contributed to Peru CSD in some capacity and must have been retired for at least five (5) years.

The following criteria will be used when considering an individual to the Hall of Fame – outstanding contributions to Peru CSD, outstanding contribution to society, outstanding career, participation and/or leadership in community activities, and a significant impact on an individual’s life while associated with Peru.

Deadline for applications will be Friday, March 15, 2024. Applications are available at the High School Office or the District’s website at https://www.perucsd.org/peru-csd-hall-of-fame/.

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Worked at Titus Mountain, single father of four children

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By John T Ryan 

At the Thursday, January 25 town baord meeting Supervisor Brandy McDonald  reported that the town received $329,465 in Clinton County Sales tax monies. The board included only $60,000 in its 2024 budget; therefore, $269,465 will be available for unanticipated 2024 expenses. 

The bad news relates to mandated and desired wastewater treatment plant upgrades. McDonald stated that in the best-case scenario, financing the project would cost each sewer district household roughly $530 annually over the next 30 years. The town’s engineering firm, AES Northeast, made the $530 estimate. Since Thursday’s meeting, the Peru Gazette, has questioned McDonald regarding the $530 estimate. He admitted the cost per household will not be uniform. Many factors will also play a role, such as a property’s assessed value, contractors’ bids, and what upgrades the board decides to include in the project. The town will not levy any tax increase until contractors complete the project in 2026 or 2027. 

AES Northeast’s best-case scenario is contingent on the USDA Rural Development Program (WEP) awarding Peru an $11 million hardship grant, which would pay 50% of the project cost and enable Peru to borrow the remainder at 0% over 30 years. McDonald said, “If we don’t get the $11 million grant, we’ll have to scale back the project as much as we can.” McDonald said AES Northeast thinks there’s a good chance that Peru will qualify. AES applied for a USDA WEP grant in 2023; however, one document did not reach USDA; hence, Peru did not qualify. Fortunately, USDA’s grants awarded in 2024 will pay 50% of a project’s cost, double last year’s 25%.  Click here for a previous, more detailed Peru Gazette story 

Other Water & Sewer Department News

The town’s large water tank on Cross Street needs painting inside and out. Water Superintendent Courtney Tetreault recommended that the board explore the financing required to complete that project, which will cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. 

Tetreault also recommended that the board qualify a second engineering firm to design and supervise future water-sewer projects. Tetrault didn’t say he’d like to replace AES Northeast. He said he would like to have additional options available. 

Highway Department News 

Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell and Deputy Superintendent Tyler Jarvis reported that town plow operators worked 24 consecutive hours during the January 24 snowstorm. Parts shortages have sidelined two plow trucks, and a third truck broke down Wednesday night; fortunately, personnel fixed it a few hours later. Covid also sidelined two personnel. Fortunately, parts for one truck should arrive soon, and the used truck the town purchased in Vermont should be in place by mid-February. Jarvis said highway department crews are doing their best to clean the roads. 

Zoning/Planning/Codes News 

In other news, Zoning/Codes Enforcement Officer Bob Guynup said he anticipates resignations from the Planning Board. He asked the board and the Peru Gazette to publicize the need for volunteers.

Noting two recent severe home fires on River Road and Telegraph Road, Guynup said this is a good time for everyone to check their smoke detectors. 

Guynup also reported that the Planning Board would like the board to invoke a moratorium on self-storage units. He did not give details. Supervisor McDonald said he would research the request before taking any action. 

Seasonal nonstop service to Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina, and one-stop service to Jacksonville, Florida.

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Chicken & Biscuits 

Coleslaw 

Fruit 

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 welcome. We’re looking forward to seeing you!