The Peru Gazette

Trail Closed to Protect Public Safety due to the presence of a bull moose

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today reminds hikers the temporary closure of the Goodman Mountain trail in the Horseshoe Lake Wild Forest in the town of Tupper Lake, remains in effect,

DEC staff, accompanied by the New York State wildlife veterinarian, conducted a site visit to Goodman Mountain on July 10. The same moose continues to reside on or near the trail and continues to demonstrate unusual behaviors. It is suspected that this moose may have an underlying illness influencing behavior as it continues to remain on or near the trail and is not responsive to attempts to move it off the trail.  Based on these observations, and the terrain, the trail will remain closed to protect the moose and ensure public safety in the event of a close encounter with the public.  Moose are large animals, and while no signs of aggression have been observed, moose can be dangerous if approached too closely.

DEC Wildlife experts continue to monitor the situation closely, and Forest Rangers will be actively enforcing the closure. The trail will remain closed until DEC determines it is safe to reopen. An update will be issued at that time.

Signage is posted at trailheads and access points, and visitors are urged to seek alternative hiking destinations in the region.

For more information about the closure, contact DEC Region 6 Office of Natural Resources at (315) 785-2263.

Assemblyman Jones presents a NYS Assembly Resolution honoring Abby for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout

Scouts and Leaders at today’s ceremony

City of Plattsburgh Mayor Wendell Hughes

Town of Plattsburgh Supervisor Michael Cashman

Abby pins her mom Christine

A pin for her dad Gerry, a longtime time Scout leader

July 12, 2025 – West Chazy, N Y – Family, friends, community leaders, and members of Scouting America Troop 8039 gathered today at the North Country Veterans Association for the Eagle Scout Court of Honor ceremony for Abigail Eagan. A former Girl Scout, Abigail joined Troop 8039 in 2014 and has worked diligently to develop her skills. She is now the first female Eagle Scout in the Adirondack District.  When Abby turned 18 she became an Assistant Scout Master .

Achieving the rank of Eagle Scout is not unusual in the Eagan family, as Abigail followed in the footsteps of her brother, Caleb, and her father, Gerry. An honors graduate of Beekmantown High School (ranking #2 in her class) in 2025, Abigail plans to attend SUNY Plattsburgh to major in nursing. 

Assemblyman Billy Jones, City of Plattsburgh Mayor Wendell Hughes, and Town of Plattsburgh Supervisor Michael Cashman congratulated Abigail on her achievement and presented her with a certificate of recognition. Congresswoman Elise Stefanik and State Senator Dan Stec also sent their congratulations along with a resolution.

Troop 8039 leaders commended Abigail for her personal and leadership qualities. For her Eagle Scout project, she constructed a lean-to at the North Country Veterans Association over four days, with the help of numerous volunteers.

Please take a moment to watch the impressive Scouting America Circle of Honor Ceremony.

YouTube Video of July 12, 2025 Eagle Scout Court of Honor Ceremony

Good News for Lake Champlain too 

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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; Banking Reports, and JCEO);

5. MOTION: Acceptance of Minutes for the Regular Meeting of June 23, 2025

6. Community Input. 

7. DISCUSSION: Approval for Girl Scouts to Build a Little Lending Library for Lapham Mills Park. 

8. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Approval of Shared Services Contract with the Town of Schuyler Falls

9. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Approval of Shared Services Contract with the Town of Dannemora.

10. DISCUSSION/MOTION: Approval of Triangle Electric’s Pay App. #2 for Peru WWTP Project. 

11. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Approval of Purchase of SCAG Turf Tiger 38 HP Mower.

12. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Approval of Declaring the Water/Sewer Dept’s 2006 Ford F-350 as Surplus Equipment.

13. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Acceptance of Resignation of Matt Houser from Water/Sewer Dept.

14. DISCUSSION/MOTION: Approval to Post W/S Maintenance Position Vacancy.

15. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Approval of Appointment of Sean Masten as New Assessor.

16. DISCUSSION: Telegraph Road Culvert Project Engineering Update. 

17. DISCUSSION: Other Business: Council Comments

18. DISCUSSION: Other Business: Department Head Comments.

19. DISCUSSION: Public Comments on Agenda Items Only.

20. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Pay July 2025 Bills.

21. MOTION: Adjourn to Executive Session.

22. MOTION: Return from Executive Session. 

23. MOTION: Adjourn Meeting.

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All New York’s GOP Congressional Representatives Voted for These Cuts

July 11, 2035 – Gov. Hochul News Release – Governor Kathy Hochul today released new data showing the devastating impacts of the Republicans’ “Big Ugly Bill” on New York State. The data show the enormous scale of the recently-enacted law, including draconian cuts to Medicaid, hospitals and SNAP benefits, and the impact of those cuts on the millions of New Yorkers who rely on these lifeline programs and services. 

“I’ve been very clear: no state can fully undo the damage in this bill or backfill cuts of this scale,” Governor Hochul said. “I’m working with the Legislature to brace for the impact and protect as many New Yorkers as possible because your family is my fight. I will never turn my back on New Yorkers or the values that we share.”

Essential Plan/Medicaid Cuts

Republicans’ cuts to health care and other benefits will hurt all New Yorkers. The changes will eliminate insurance coverage for millions of New Yorkers, destabilize health insurance programs statewide, and have an overall fiscal impact on the State and the New York health care system of almost $13 billion per year. These changes will make it harder for providers statewide to keep operating, making it more difficult for all New Yorkers to find care when they need it.

• More than 2 million New Yorkers will lose their current insurance coverage, including approximately 730,000 lawfully-present non-citizens who could lose Essential Plan (EP) coverage as over half of EP’s budget — $7.5 billion in federal funding — is eliminated, and a further 1.3 million New Yorkers who will lose Medicaid coverage due to new eligibility and verification hurdles.
• Of these 2 million people, 1.5 million New Yorkers are anticipated to become uninsured, with uncompensated care costs to hospitals and providers estimated to rise to over $3 billion annually — which means less access to care and higher medical bills for New Yorkers.
• Analysis from the Greater New York Hospital Association (GNYHA) and the Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS) estimates a total $8 billion in annual cuts to New York’s hospitals and health systems, which could force hospitals to curtail critically needed services such as maternity care and psychiatric treatment, not to mention to downsize operations, and even close entirely. These consequences will not only affect Medicaid enrollees, but also harm everyone who requires hospital care, leading to longer wait times and less access to critical services.

The size and scope of the Rural Transformation Fund included in the law — an average of $10 billion annually for 5 years for rural hospitals nationwide — is wholly inadequate to meet the needs of our State. Adding insult to injury, none of these funds are guaranteed to reach any New York State hospital. 

SNAP and Nutrition Assistance Read more »

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Funding has been available every year since 2002 

Copy of Letter Available Here

Governor Kathy Hochul issued a letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem urging the Department to make funding available to state and local governments through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) as has been done every year since 2002.

HSGP provides states, local jurisdictions and their law enforcement, public safety, homeland security and emergency management officials with critical resources to further their preparedness and response capabilities. Without these resources, first responders and frontline emergency management operation teams will be unable to access state-of-the-art training, the latest advancements in equipment and the ability to seamlessly share and analyze intelligence with each other.

As the threat of terrorism increases amid the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, it is essential that the federal government ensures the availability of funding for all essential components of counterterrorism efforts.

The full text of the letter is below:

Dear Secretary Noem: Read more »

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Click here for the video. 

The Albany Times Union reported on the July 4 chaos

Four people, including a 64-year-old woman, were shot a block from where thousands gathered Friday for the Empire State Plaza fireworks. The four were bystanders, people whose only mistake was heading out to celebrate the holiday.

“The cuts to Medicaid will have an outsized impact on the North Country, where 28% of the population relies on the federal program for health insurance. Local healthcare groups and officials have warned that Medicaid cuts will have devastating impacts here in the region.”

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Four State Police Staff and Three Canines to Deploy to Kerr County July 9 for 14 Days to Assist with Ongoing Search Efforts

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that four New York State Police staff and three canines will deploy to Kerr County, Texas to support search efforts following devastating floods. This assistance was primarily deployed as part of the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), the nation’s all-hazards national mutual aid system. EMAC has been ratified by the U.S. Congress (PL 104-321) and is law in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Northern Mariana Islands. EMAC’s Members can share resources from all disciplines, protect personnel who deploy and be reimbursed for mission-related costs.

“Our hearts break for the tragic loss of life in Texas, and we are sending our prayers as they continue to heal and recover from this devastating flooding,” Governor Hochul said. “New York State is committed to helping those in need, and I am grateful for our State Police personnel who will be assisting officials in Kerr County as they continue their search efforts.”

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