Click here for minutes of the January 9 Organizational Meeting 

Click here for minutes of the January 9 Regular Meeting 

Click here for minutes of the January 23 Regular Meeting 

Click here for minutes of the February 13 Regular Meeting 

Click here for minutes of the February 27 Regular Meeting

The meeting is open to the public and current District, County, State and Federal COVID-19 safety procedures and protocols will be followed.

The agenda will be available on the District’s website.

The CVPH Donor Center collected twenty-two units of blood on Monday, March 27, at St. Augustine’s Parish Center; they are very grateful for that. Peru is one of the Donor Center’s top contributing communities, and Peru can be very proud of its caring spirit.

St. Augustine’s Knights of Columbus Council 7273 coordinates Peru drives and St. Augustine’s Parish donates the use of its parish center.

The next Peru drive is Monday, June 5. 

Sudden bursts of snow, low visibility, and falling temperatures will create overnight travel troubles

Click here for the MYNBC5 story 

Billly Jones News Release – Volunteer fire departments across New York State are struggling to make ends meet and to recruit new members. For months, Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) has pushed for relief for these fire departments to make sure that they have the resources they need to keep their communities safe. Today, Jones joined Senator Michelle Hinchey as well as members of the State Legislature from both sides of the aisle to call for more funding to be included in the budget for the volunteer fire department capital fund.

            “I hear the same story in every North Country community I visit- their volunteer fire departments are struggling and desperately need help from the state for capital projects and recruitment,” said Jones. “That is why I pushed for funding in the state budget and introduced A4929 to allocate $100 million to create a capital fund for volunteer fire departments. The $10 million included in the One House Budget proposal is a great first step in helping volunteer fire departments acquire the equipment and build the facilities they need to answer the call during emergencies. But it’s not enough- the State needs to do more and increase funding for this capital fund. Fire departments need help with retention, recruitment, and morale and increasing state support is absolutely critical for volunteer fire departments, and I will continue to push for more state resources for our local fire departments.”

            Last year, Jones’ bill to allow fire departments to recover costs for ambulatory services was included in the State Budget which has helped numerous North Country departments. Jones most recent efforts was to include a $10 million capital fund for volunteer fire departments in the One House Assembly Budget proposal and reimbursements for training.

            In addition to his advocacy for capital funding in the budget, Jones also introduced legislation to support volunteer fire departments. One bill creates a training fund to help pay for any work missed to attend trainings (A3242). Another bill creates a college scholarship for volunteer fire departments (bill # pending). Jones also introduced a bill to allow fire departments to recruit at local high schools (bill # pending).

Five items on PB Agenda 

TOWN OF PERU

1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. ROLL CALL
4. APPROVAL of February 8, 2023 minutes
5. OPEN FLOOR to public hearing 
6. APPLICATIONS:

1. 1. 1. 1. P2023-003 Site Plan Approval with SEQRA

                                                                 Keystone Novelties Distributors LLC

                                                                               Retail Sell of NY legal fireworks

                                                                               280.-1-30.11

                                                                               729 Bear Swamp Rd

6. 0. 0. 2. P2023-004 Merge with SEQRA

Edward Saunders

258.-4-9 and 258.-4-12

Rock Rd and Bouchard Dr                                      

6. 0. 0. 3. P2023-005 Site Plan Approval with SEQRA

Gregory Johnson

Wedding Venue- Accessory Use

258.-2-11

3990 Route 9

6. 0. 0. 4. P2023-006 Merge  with SEQRA

Benjamin Clemons, John Clemons,

Christy Conlon

280.-1-8.1

766 Union Rd

6. 0. 0. 5. P2023-007 Merge with SEQRA

Benjamin Clemons, John Clemons,

Christy Conlon

280.-1-8.2

766 Union Rd

7. ANY FURTHER BUSINESS
8. CEO REPORT
9. ADJOURNMENT

The Town of Peru, Town Board has scheduled a Special Meeting Monday April 3, 2023 at 5:00 PM at the Peru Town Hall. The purpose of the meeting will be Executive Session to interview a candidate for the Recreation Director position.

Effort would allow participants to receive benefits remotely

Click here for the Sun Community News story 

2023 marks the theatre’s 45th season

Click here for the Sun Community News story 

Planning wisely helps travelers sidestep common pitfalls

Click here for the Sun Community News story 

Click here for the NCPR story 

Click here for the VTDigger story 

Click here for the Syracuse.com story 

Click here for the Syracuse.com story 

Click here for the MYNBC5 story 

Click here for the MYNBC5 story 

Click here for the NCPR story https://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/47553/20230324/clinton-community-college-faculty-want-a-raise-but-contract-negotiations-have-hit-an-impasse

1. Call Meeting To Order

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Roll Call

4. MOTION:  Approval of Minutes for the Regular Meeting Minutes of March 13, 2023, and Special Meeting Minutes of March 23, 2023. 

5. MOTION:  To Accept Late Youth Department Report.

6. Community Input.

7. MOTION/DISCUSSION:  Girl Scouts Clean-up Project.

8. MOTION/DISCUSSION: Licensing Fees/Reimbursement Addition to Handbook.

9. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION::  Acceptance of Internal Audit for the Tax Collector/Tax Collector.

10. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Set up Special Meeting for Interview for Rec. Director.

 11. DISCUSSION:  Other Business.

12. DISCUSSION:  Public Comments on Agenda Items Only.

13. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Pay March 2023 Bills.

14. MOTION:  Adjourn to Executive Session.

15. MOTION:  Return from Executive Session. ​

16. MOTION: Adjourn Meeting.

Trouble viewing this email? View it online   Today, we’re announcing an agreement that means the UVM Health Network will continue to provide in-network care to patients covered under UnitedHealthcare’s commercial insurance plans through December 31, 2023. Our commercial insurance contract with United had been scheduled to expire April 1. While this extension will put further financial pressure on our health system, our priority is to do whatever we can to minimize disruption for our patients – despite United’s unwillingness to negotiate a fair contract. This extension is a positive development for 2,660 UnitedHealthcare commercial insurance subscribers and their families in Vermont and Northern New York: It gives them more time to identify alternative medical insurance coverage or health care options starting with their 2024 plan year. Based on our conversations with United, and in spite of our best efforts to reach a new agreement, we do not expect our health system to remain in-network for UnitedHealthcare commercial insurance plans in 2024. More information related to the UVM Health Network and UnitedHealthcare, including details on which United plans aren’t affected by these developments, is available at UVMHealth.org/UnitedHealthcare. For information specific to insurance coverage, affected patients should contact UnitedHealthcare directly. I’m hoping that the nine-month extension we’re announcing today eases some of the pressure on those covered by UnitedHealthcare commercial plans, and I apologize for the stress and anxiety this situation has caused in our communities. I also want to point out that this extension is happening only because we are carrying over UnitedHealthcare’s rates from Fiscal Year 2022, with no rate increase for our health system – despite intense inflationary pressures that have driven up our costs significantly. This is a scenario that’s playing out nationwide: Insurers like UnitedHealthcare are posting high profits, while hospitals and health systems like the UVM Health Network continue to struggle with rising expenses, insufficient revenues, increasing patient needs and a national workforce shortage. It’s important to note that, as a safety net health care provider, the UVM Health Network will always provide emergency care to anyone who walks through the door regardless of what insurance they have or whether they have insurance at all. And I want to reiterate that our mission is to provide high-quality health care for everyone we serve. To meet that mission, we need to be able to negotiate reasonable, responsible insurer contracts that allow us to meet our patients’ needs, both now and in the future. Thank you for your continued leadership and partnership. Sincerely, Sunny Sunil “Sunny” Eappen, MD, MBA President and CEO UVMHealth.org University of Vermont Health Network, 462 Shelburne Road, Burlington, VT 05401 Unsubscribe   |   Update your Preferences

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Public Encouraged to Submit Input on Detailed Plan to Reduce Phosphorus

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is extending the public comment period on the draft Watershed Implementation Plan for Lake Champlain to April 5, 2023. The draft plan creates a detailed path forward to reduce phosphorus that impairs Lake Champlain and contributes to harmful algal blooms (HABs).

The plan draws from collected data, modeling, and analysis, identifies potential projects that will significantly reduce the amount of phosphorus entering the lake to improve water quality, and complements the existing Lake Champlain Phosphorus Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) ‘pollution budget’ that established limits from all contributing sources to attain applicable water quality standards.

Highlights of the draft Watershed Implementation Plan include:

• Analysis of ambient water quality trends in the major Lake Champlain tributaries;
• Comparison of in-lake water quality data to TMDL criteria;
• Updated analysis of how different land uses contribute to phosphorous pollution;
• Descriptions of funding programs available to support TMDL implementation; and
• A list of potential implementation projects by sector.

The draft watershed implementation plan is available on DEC’s website. Public comments will now be accepted until April 5, 2023 and can be submitted by email to waterlog@dec.ny.gov.

For more information on the TMDL, visit DEC’s Clean Water Plan webpage.

Christine Peters – Peru Gazette photo of January 4, 2022

The County of Clinton is proud to announce that Christine Peters has been hired as the Commissioner for the Department of Social Services (DSS). Christine Peters has served as the Director of Legal and Social Services for the County since January 2012 and brings a wealth of experience and knowledge as the new Commissioner.

“We are elated to have Christine Peters step into the role of Commissioner,” said Chairperson Mark Henry (R-Area3-Chazy.) “Christine has dedicated over 19 years to Clinton County helping families around the county receive the services they need to thrive. I have always been impressed with her ability to handle complex situations, balanced with her empathy to help those in peril. I look forward to continue working with her to address the needs of our all our residents.”

For the last ten years, Peters served as the Director of Legal Services where she not only oversaw other DSS attorneys, but assisted with Drug Court and a small caseload. She also oversaw the Child Protective, Adult Protective, Child Preventive, Adolescent Preventive and Foster Care and Adoption units. Peters has also made headway to fight human trafficking in Clinton County by coordinating trainings and programs throughout the community. Peters also sits on the Child Advocacy Center’s multidisciplinary team and the steering committee for Substance-Abuse Prevention and Recovery of Clinton County while also working with schools regarding trauma-informed schooling.

“As the chairperson for the Children and Family Services Committee I have been privileged to work with Christine over the course of my term,” said Rick Potiker (R-Area 5-Plattsburgh.). “Christine’s compassion for her clients truly shines, and her ability to advocate for their needs to the legislature is unmatched. I am proud to continue working with her to help support adults and children alike, in need.” 

 “Christine constantly works hard to help not just the families that walk through our doors, but her colleagues as well,” said Mike Zurlo, County Administrator.  “I am very pleased to welcome her to our management team. I’ve always admired her open-door policy and her desire to empower both clients and employees. She is a true asset to our County and I am confident she will build upon the success of our outgoing Commissioner, John Redden.”

In addition to her time with Clinton County where she began as a Social Services Attorney in 2004, Peters was an Americorps intern at the Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York, and maintained a private practice in Plattsburgh from 2001 until 2004. Peters graduated from SUNY Plattsburgh in 1997 and graduated from Vermont Law School in 2000.  A Peru native, Peters is proud to call the North Country her home with husband, Benjamin and two children, Greyson and Mallory.

Click here for the Times-Union opinion piece 

Most snow accumulation expected in the Greens and Adirondacks through Sunday

Click here for the MYNBC5 story