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More About The Peru Gazette

The editor is John Ryan at email: perugazette@gmail.com. The Peru Gazette is a free community, education and information website. It is non-commercial and does not accept paid advertising.

Comment Policy

The Peru Gazette welcomes comments on posted stories. The author MUST include his/her first and last name. No  foul or libelous language permitted. The Peru Gazette reserves the right to not publish a comment.

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CVPH Peru Blood Drive on Monday, August 7

Peru – CVPH Donor Center Blood Drive, at St. Augustine’s Parish Center on Monday, August 7, from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. All blood collected is utilized in our region.
Coordinated by the Peru Knights of Columbus Council 7273

National amputee baseball team plays in Burlington

Louisville Slugger Warriors are a team made up of amputee military veterans, wounded warriors and active duty personnel

Click here for the WCAX story 

Major Disaster Declaration approved in New York, providing federal aid to flood victims

Clinton and Essex Counties are among those approved for FEMA funding

Click here for the MyNBC5 story 

AGENDA – PERU TOWN BOARD REGULAR MEETING JULY 24 @ 6:00 PM

  1. Call Meeting to Order
  1. Pledge of Allegiance
  1. Roll Call 
  1. 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; JCEO; and Banking Reports.
  1. MOTION:  Acceptance of Minutes for the Regular Meeting Minutes of June 26, 2023.
  1. Community Input.
  1. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Acceptance of Peter Stone to the Planning Board.
  1. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Acceptance of Golden Apple Club Contract Renewal.
  1. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Appointing New Budget Officer for the 2023-2024 Budget Season.
  1. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Approving the 2007 International Model 7400 as Surplus Equipment. 

Be Sold at Auctions Int’l Site as Parts Only Truck.

  1. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  To Reaffirm the Importance of the Comprehensive Plan for the Town of Peru.
  1. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Contract Approval from Engineering Ventures for Sprinkler System RFP Preparation. 
  1. DISCUSSION:  2023 Bridge NY Rejection
  1. DISCUSSION/MOTION:  School Street Washout PCSD Response Letter.
  1. DISCUSSION:  Request to Change Chickens Zoning Code. 
  1. DISCUSSION:  Other Business.
  1. DISCUSSION:  Public Comments on Agenda Items Only.
  1. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Pay July 2023 Bills.
  1. MOTION:  Adjourn to Executive Session.
  1. MOTION:  Return from Executive Session. 
  1. MOTION: Adjourn Meeting.

Elm St. closed part of Friday

Town of Peru will be closing a portion of Elm Street  @ house #51 tomorrow July 20th from 11:30 am till 3 pm for water line repair. 

 There will be NO through traffic during this time

Flood watch in effect until 2 am Wed.

Flood Watch- National Weather Service Burlington VT, 341 PM EDT Tue Jul 18
341 PM EDT Tue Jul 18 2023

…FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 AM EDT WEDNESDAY…

* WHAT…Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible.

* WHERE…Portions of northern New York, including Clinton and Essex
counties. All of central and northern Vermont.

* WHEN…Until 2 AM EDT Wednesday.

* IMPACTS…Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers,
creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.
Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. Storm drains
and ditches may become clogged with debris. Area creeks and
streams are running high and could flood with more heavy rain.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…
– Slow-moving shower and thunderstorm activity will track
eastward across the watch area this afternoon and evening.
Rainfall amounts from this afternoon and evening`s
thunderstorm activity could reach 1 to 2 inches per hour with
the stronger storms. Recent heavy rainfall has led to soil
conditions across the region being completely saturated. The
ground has no capacity to absorb heavy rainfall which leads
to immediate runoff into creeks and streams and can cause
renewed flash flooding.

– Http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

St. Augustine’s Soup Kitchen Menu for Wednesday, July 18, 2023

Chuck Wagon BBQ Over Rice
Carrots
A Peach
Dessert

Served take-out- only, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at St. Augustine’s Parish Center, 3030 Main St. Peru, NY

All are welcome at our table!❤️

DiNapoli: State’s fiscal outlook declines

click here for the story

Paul Smiths College reorganization plans halted

Click here for the Adirondack Explorer story 

DIOCESE OF OGDENSBURG FILES FOR REORGANIZATION

Statement issued by Bishop Terry R LaValley

Following extensive consultation with diocesan staff, the College of Consultors, Council of Priests, the Diocesan Finance and Pastoral Councils, priest and deacons, pastoral leaders, and a team of professional advisors, Bishop Terry R. LaValley, Bishop of Ogdensburg, authorized the filing of a Chapter 11 reorganization case by the Diocese of Ogdensburg. Bishop Terry R. LaValley was in U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of New York, in Utica for today’s filing.

This difficult yet necessary decision was made in response to lawsuits filed against the Diocese under the Child Victims Act. 124 cases are currently pending against the Diocese following implementation of the act, which allows individuals who assert that they were the victims of childhood sexual abuse to file claims, regardless of when the alleged abuse took place. The claims filed against the Diocese date back decades (1940s through 1990s), prior to the institution of the Diocese’s safe environment policies and procedures.

Bishop LaValley again apologized for the suffering caused by child sexual abuse by priests and other Church personnel. “An important part of our ministry is to respond to claims of survivors in a way that acknowledges what they suffered and to help them find healing and a sense of peace,” Bishop LaValley said. “We are committed to responding to survivors and CVA lawsuits justly and fairly while maintaining our mission to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and reach all in need.”

The goal for filing a reorganization case is to resolve the legal cases in a fair and equitable manner while allowing the Diocese to continue its mission. Had the Diocese not filed for reorganization, civil actions would continue for many years, with claimants who filed the first lawsuits potentially receiving larger awards or settlements, leaving little, if any, money for the remaining claimants. “Filing for reorganization does not hinder claims filed by survivors,” said Bishop LaValley. “Instead, it establishes a process for all claims to be treated fairly.”

Bishop LaValley said he expects the reorganization will have minimal effect on the celebration of the sacraments and regular parish life. “We believe reorganization will be fair and equitable to all claimants while we continue to provide our vital ministries,” Bishop LaValley said. “The Church in the North Country continues to focus on discipleship while addressing these lawsuits.” He noted that with the help of advisors, the Diocese will continue to evaluate how the Diocese will maintain its mission while seeking to compensate victims fairly.

The Bishop said that “while we hope to keep the impact on parishes to a minimum, it is likely parishes will be asked to contribute funds available to address survivors’ claims. Many of the parishes have also been sued in the abuse lawsuits, creating the potential for liability for them, but we are hopeful that the reorganization case will allow us to resolve all claims against the Diocese and parishes.”

Bishop LaValley indicated that the Diocese has instituted extensive policies and procedures to prevent sexual abuse. “The procedures also ensure that allegations are responsibly and justly handled,” according to the Bishop. “We believe that the fact that there have been no claims filed alleging abuse occurred in the last 20 years is evidence that we have made great progress and are on the right course. Nevertheless, we remain vigilant.” The Bishop added that he is available to meet with every abuse survivor, and the Diocese continues to reach out to them with a goal of fostering reconciliation and healing for those who have been so immeasurably harmed.

Prior to the implementation of the CVA, the Diocese offered assistance to survivors of abuse who made prior claims. In 2018, as part of the Year of Mercy, diocesan officials reached out to survivors through the Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program (IRCP) seeking reconciliation with them and offering compensation for their suffering. Through the IRCP, 38 claims were resolved. An additional 14 claims were also settled outside the program.

No timetable has been established for when the Diocese of Ogdensburg will emerge from reorganization. Bishop LaValley indicated he would like to see the process conclude in a timely fashion. He reiterated that this is especially a time for prayer: “As we move forward, please pray for and support victims of abuse, our consecrated religious, clergy, and lay faithful and our beloved Diocese.”

NYS Comptroller’s Findings in Town of Jay – The Supervisor did not maintain complete, accurate and timely accounting records, and in adequate financial reports were provided to the Board

Click here for the NYS Comptroler’s Report 

Town of Jay – Records and Reports (2023M-22)

Issued Date

June 30, 2023

Audit Objective

Determine whether the Town of Jay (Town) Supervisor maintained complete, accurate and timely accounting records and reports to allow the Town Board (Board) to effectively manage the Town’s financial operations.

Key Findings

The Supervisor did not maintain complete, accurate and timely accounting records, and inadequate financial reports were provided to the Board. As a result, the Board lacked reliable records and reports to manage the Town’s financial operations.

  • Of the 15 asset and liability accounts we reviewed as of December 31, 2021 and October 31, 2022, five accounts were overstated by a total of $19,037 and 13 accounts were understated by a total of $269,353.
  • Of the 10 revenue accounts we reviewed as of December 31, 2021 and October 31, 2022, two accounts were overstated by a total of $927,546 and two accounts were understated by a total of $18,317.
  • Of the 10 expenditure accounts we reviewed as of December 31, 2021 and October 31, 2022, two accounts were overstated by a total of $182,370 and two accounts were understated by a total of $6,091.
  • Seven capital projects were completed but not closed in the accounting records, and bank reconciliations were not prepared monthly or properly prepared for all bank accounts.

Key Recommendations

  • Maintain complete, accurate and timely accounting records and close completed projects.
  • Prepare and review bank reconciliations monthly.
  • Provide the Board with adequate financial reports.

Town officials generally agreed with our recommendations and have initiated, or indicated they planned to initiate, corrective action.

Tornado travels for 12.3 miles in northern Rutland County

It may have lifted at different points; damage was focused in Benson

Click here for the MYNBC5 story 

Burlington’s refugee farmers face a completely lost season from floods

Click here for the VtDigger story story 

‘It’s a shock’: Barre man drowns at home in 1st known flood-related fatality

Click here for VTDigger story 

50K Powerball ticket sold in Dannemora

Click here for the Sun Community New story 

Peru Church History Tour – See the Churches and Hear their Histories, July 22, 9:30am to 1:00 pm

Join the Clinton County Historical Association’s driving tour of Peru churches. Four churches will be visited – St. Augustine’s, the Peru Community Church, the Harkness United Methodist Church, St Patrick’s Oratory, and Mother Cabrini Shrine. The tour will include visits into each church and histories of the church. The tour will start at 9:30 am at St. Augustine’s at 3030 Main Street, Peru and conclude with the opportunity to eat your lunch overlooking the Champlain Valley at the Oratory’s Park. Maps and handouts about the churches will be provided. The tour is free and open to the public. Registration is strongly encouraged by calling 518-561-0340.
For more information, please contact Helen Nerska, Director of Clinton County Historical Association by email director@clintoncountyhistorical.org or telephone 518-561-0340.
Photos: Peru Community Church from the Town of Peru Historian’s collection. St. Patrick’s Oratory and Mother Cabrini Shrine enclosure by John Ryan.

History of the Lozier Company and Family in Plattsburgh July 21, 12:30 pm

Plattsburgh Senior Center, 5139 North Catherine Street, Plattsburgh
Hear the story of the history of the Lozier family and the Lozier Company in Plattsburgh with rarely-seen photos of the family and company operations. Henry Abram Lozier was an Indiana-born sewing machine and bicycle manufacturer. After selling his bicycle business, Lozier moved to Plattsburgh to manufacture boats and marine engines. In 1905 he started the Lozier Automobile Company and entered the automobile manufacturing business. He produced the luxury Lozier, in Plattsburgh, from 1900 to 1915. Loziers were top-line luxury cars and for a time were the most expensive cars produced in the United States. The 1910 model featured cars priced between $4,600 and $7,750. That same year, a Cadillac could be bought for about $1,600 and a Packard for about $3,200. A pre-assembly line Ford Model T of the same year retailed at approximately $850 and the average annual salary in America was approximately $750. Mr. Soper was born in Plattsburgh and served in the US Air Force, stationed in Germany, in the field of Communication. His vast experiences in the area of transportation included work at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in Connecticut, where he built jet aircraft engines. He also worked at Bombardier Transportation, building passenger rail cars. For 12 years, he has worked at the Champlain Valley Transportation Museum as Director of Exhibits. He is currently a member of the Clinton County Historical Association’s Board of Trustees. The program is free and open to the public.
For more information call 518-561-0340 or email director@clintoncountyhistorical.org.

From Fine Art to Coloring Books: Something for Everyone at the Keeseville Community Arts Festival July 21- 22

Local plein air artist Dennon Walantus paints the Ausable River

Free Youth Arts Activities: Plein Air Painting at the Keeseville Community Garden

Free Youth Arts Activities: Tie Dye Workshop at Anderson Falls Park, and Live Musical Performance by Alice’s Fault

The third annual Keeseville Community Arts Festival will take place July 21-22, with several local organizations and businesses holding visual and performing arts events across the hamlet. The festival brings residents and visitors together to celebrate the arts and artistic assets of the community.

AdkAction’s annual Plein Air Show and Sale is at the festival’s core. Forty talented artists from near and far will paint Keeseville’s historic architecture, mountains, bridges, waterfalls and farms in the week leading up to the Festival, producing over 120 paintings. Community members will enjoy seeing the beauty of sights in their backyards by visiting the Plein Air Art Show and Sale, held for the first time at Keeseville’s historic Stone Mill on the Ausable River. A wine and cheese reception on Friday night and a brunch on Saturday morning will allow festival-goers to meet the artists in person and purchase their artwork. A new ‘Uplifting Community’ challenge will help keep plein air paintings at the festival accessible to all by asking artists to submit one painting priced below $250. In addition to prizes in the juried art show, AdkAction will also award three Emerging Artists Fellowships to support the next generation of fine arts.
New this year, a Color Run 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run organized by Dynamix Fitness and Wellness will kick off Saturday’s festivities at the Elk’s Club, with a finish line at the popular ‘Arts in the Park’ event in Anderson Falls Park. Artists and artisans local to Keeseville will set up in the park to demonstrate their craft, discuss their work, and sell pottery, jewelry, woodcrafts, and more. Festival goers can enjoy live music by local band Alice’s Fault and food from The Dogfather food truck and Island Vybz.
Free youth art activities include face painting, an outdoor watercolor workshop at the Keeseville Community Garden on Front Street, hoop dance classes by Vestopia Hoops, and a tie dye station that includes a free Keeseville Community Arts Festival shirt. You should sign up for these activities to ensure space and shirt availability. Sign up at www.Adkaction.org/art
Adirondack Architectural Heritage also offers a free coloring book to help children and their families discover Keeseville’s nearby historic landmarks and create some artwork.
Visitors to the festival can get to know this charming lakeside community at the foothills of the Adirondack mountains and explore the area to try food, beer, and wine from local farms; enjoy live music at several venues; and visit area galleries, florists, antique shops and museums. For a complete guide to all arts and community events happening during the festival, visit AdkAction.org/Art.
The Keeseville Community Arts Festival is organized by a team of local volunteers brought together by AdkAction as part of the nonprofit’s community revitalization through the arts project. Over 25 individual and business sponsors have supported this year’s festival.
This project is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrants Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by the Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts.
In part, the Keeseville Community Arts Festival is made possible by the Essex County Arts Council’s Cultural Assistance Program Grant with funding provided by Essex County.

A court sides with Democrats who want to redraw New York’s congressional districts again

Click here for the NCPR story 

HamilSun Community Solar, LLC – HamilSun Community Solar Farm – Notice of Availability of an Environmental Assessment

14-day comment period. Published in the Press-Republican on July 12, 2023. 
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Development
HamilSun Community Solar, LLC – HamilSun Community Solar Farm
Notice of Availability of an Environmental Assessment
AGENCY: Rural Business Service (RBS), USDA
ACTION: Notice of Availability of an Environmental Assessment
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Rural Business Service (RBS) – USDA RD, as required by the National Environmental Policy Act, is issuing an environmental assessment (EA) in connection with the possible impacts related to a project proposed by HamilSun Community Solar, LLC, of Clinton County, NY. The proposal is for the construction of the HamilSun Community Solar Farm – 2 megawatt (MW)-AC on 12 acres of an existing 194.5-acre parcel at 286 Mannix Road, in the Town of Peru, NY. HamilSun Community Solar LLC has submitted an application to RBS for funding of the proposal.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: To obtain copies of the Environmental Assessment or for further information, contact John T. Helgren, P.E., State Environmental Coordinator, NY State Office – Rural Development, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1 North Main Street, Cortland, NY 13045, (607) 218-3523, john.helgren@usda.gov. The EA is also available for public review at Hamilsuncommunitysolar.com.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
An environmental assessment was prepared by Thomas J. LaBombard PE, for RBS that describes the project, assesses the proposed project’s environmental impacts, and summarizes as applicable any mitigation measures used to minimize environmental effects.
If implemented, the proposed project will convert fallow farmland. Given that the proposed project occurs in an NYS Agricultural District, the solar farm would be constructed in compliance with the Guidelines for Solar Energy Projects – Construction Mitigation for Agricultural Lands as issued by the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets and all applicable Federal environmental laws and regulations. The project is designed to avoid all identified wetland areas. In accordance with USDA Departmental Regulation 9500-3, Land Use Policy, the purpose of this notice is to inform the public of this conversion or effect, and request comments concerning the proposal, alternative actions that would avoid these impacts, and methods that could be used to minimize these impacts.
RBS has conducted an independent evaluation of the environmental assessment and believes that it accurately assesses the impacts of the proposed project. No significant impacts are expected as a result of the construction of the project.
Questions and comments should be sent to RBS at the address provided. RBS will accept questions and comments on the environmental assessment for 14 days from the date of publication of this notice.
Any final action by RBS related to the proposed project will be subject to, and contingent upon, compliance with all relevant Federal environmental laws and regulations and completion of environmental review procedures as prescribed by 7 CFR Part 1970, Environmental Policies and Procedures.
A general location map of the proposal is shown below.

Thunderstorms could create more flooding, strong winds, weak tornadoes in Vermont, New York

Clouds will begin forming in Northern New York around 2pm on Thursday, and will move east, with a line of thunderstorms making its way into Vermont into the early evening.

Click here for the MYNBC5 story 

Enrollment is exploding in BOCES high school career and technical programs

Click here for the NCPR story 

Sewer line break dumps untreated wastewater into Winooski River, Lake Champlain

While officials say some of the wastewater has been diverted back to the treatment plant, 10% of the city’s wastewater is still entering the river.

Click for the VTDigger story 

Strand offering open rehearsal space for music and theater artists

Have you heard about our new Open Rehearsal Hours project? 🎶🎭 This project enhances our ability to provide accessible rehearsal space for artists working in music and performance art. For more details about the project and how to request use of our Music Studio and Theatre, visit our website: https://www.strandcenter.org/open-rehearsal-hours
The New York State Council on the Arts makes the’ Open Rehearsal Hours’ project possible with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

As climate change looms, New York bets big on winter sports tourism

Click here for the NCPR story