The Peru Gazette

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Many sugarmakers have already had their first boil of the season

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Malone, Saranac Lake, Ticonderoga and Akwesasne locations to all open

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DayEvent to take place June 10th and 11th

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February 15, 2023 — Stewart’s Shops served their all-new Southwest Corn Chowder at the recent Saratoga Chowder Fest. Over 750 bowls of the creamy corn chowder were served.

Stewart’s Shops raised $1,545 at the event and presented a check to the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York to support their mission to feed those in need. This donation will provide over 6,000 meals!

Jennifer Frame, Director of Corporate Philanthropy at Stewart’s Shops stated, “The Regional Food Bank Food is a valuable community resource. We recognize that food insecurity is a real problem in our communities there is so much need out there. The Regional Food Bank is a crucial resource for our communities, and we are proud to support them.”

Stewart’s Shops is proud to share with their communities. Stewart’s Shops has proudly supported the Regional Food Bank for over 20 years. In 2022 alone, Stewart’s Shops provided over $150,000 in discounts and monetary donations to the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York.

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March 17 Deadline for Public Comments on Plan to Reduce Phosphorus and Improve Water Quality

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced the release of the draft Watershed Implementation Plan that creates a detailed path forward to reduce phosphorus that impairs Lake Champlain and contributes to harmful algal blooms (HABs). The draft Lake Champlain Watershed Implementation 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.

“The Lake Champlain watershed is a vital environmental resource that supports drinking water, critical fish and wildlife habitat, and opportunities for recreation,” DEC Commissioner Seggos said. “The science-based plan released today will guide the wise investment of state and federal funds, and is another critical step to improving the health of these waters and ensuring they are protected for future generations.”

The 2002 Lake Champlain Phosphorus Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) (PDF) (leaves DEC website), divides the lake into 13 segments with corresponding contributing sub-watersheds for management purposes. Each segment was assigned a target in-lake concentration level for phosphorus. Some of the segments currently meet water quality goals set by the 2002 TMDL. Other segments continue to exceed phosphorus targets and lead to conditions associated with excessive phosphorus pollution, including HABs, low water clarity, and excessive macrophyte growth.

Highlights of the draft plan:

• Analysis of ambient water quality trends in the major tributaries to Lake Champlain;
• Comparison of in-lake water quality data to TMDL criteria;
• Updated land cover analysis;
• Description of funding programs available to support implementation; and
• List of potential implementation projects by sector.

Dr. Eric Howe, Director of the Patrick Leahy Lake Champlain Basin Program which coordinates management efforts for the Lake Champlain watershed, said, “Lake Champlain continues to experience challenges in meeting the goals of the Clean Water Act intended to provide a safe source of drinking water, healthy fish to eat, and safe places to swim and recreate. This plan will help to direct millions of State and federal dollars toward priority projects in the New York portion of the Lake Champlain basin.”

New York has invested $82 million in State grants and $70 million in low-interest loans to support nearly 300 water quality improvement projects for Lake Champlain. The Watershed Implementation Plan will build upon this progress and guide the management actions of DEC and its partners to achieve the largest phosphorus pollution reductions, at the locations where it is most needed, and with the lowest overall cost. The plan will also help complement other measures underway, including the HABs Action Plan for Lake Champlain (PDF).

The draft Watershed Implementation Plan is available on DEC’s website. Public comments will be accepted until March 17, 2023, and can be submitted by email to waterlog@dec.ny.gov.

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

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Outdoor outfitter hopes to have the 70,000-square-foot store open by 2024. It would be the fourth in New York state.

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L-R Stacey Bouquet & Becky Pace

Patrons Twila Jennings and her grandchildren Eli and Michael Dunham

Library entrance pickup

Art Exhibit Painting

By John T. Ryan (Please share)

Peru – Public Libraries! Does anyone use libraries when people can find almost any publication online? In Peru, NY the answer is YES! Many people use and appreciate the Peru Free Library’s books, media, and services. For example, last year, the library’s printed and digital media circulated 11,628 times, including 6,594 to adults and 3,575 to children, plus a digital circulation of 1,338. There are 700 active library cardholders; 117 people signed up for cards during the past year.

The Covid pandemic necessitated re-invention and creativity at almost every institution, including the Peru Library. For example, when Covid regulations barred patrons from entering the building, Library Director Becky Pace and Assistant Librarian Stacey Bousquet bagged books and media for patrons to pick up from an entryway bookcase. Patrons appreciated that innovation, so it continues. Each day there’s an average of twenty packed bags awaiting pickup. Becky Pace has been Library Director for twenty years, while Stacey Bousquet has been Assistant Director for eight years. Both women take great pride in their work and do their best to surpass patron expectations.

The library offers more than books, periodicals, and digital media. Both artists and patrons look forward to its frequent, high-quality art, quilt, and pottery exhibits. In addition, people appreciate its computer, wifi, copy, fax, and printing services, and organizations use the library’s spacious main room for special programs. The children’s reading program and art camp at the library are centerpieces of Peru’s summertime activities.

As a member of the Clinton-Franklin-Essex Library System, Peru’s cardholders have access to works in the system’s twenty-nine other libraries, plus libraries across New York State and the nation. Cardholders at other libraries, in turn, have access to Peru’s 18,000 books and media. As a result, cardholders at other libraries accounted for almost 25% of Peru’s 2022 circulation.

A Board of Trustees oversees the Peru Free Library. The Board’s current members are Marque Moffett – President; Sandy Divoli- Vice-President; Sarah Richman – Treasurer; Diane Haight – Secretary; Patric Andrews, Terri Cioppa, Patrick O’Mara, Rocky Divoli, and Dr. Tracy Orkin.  

Library hours are Tuesday – Friday, 10 am – 6 pm,
Saturday 10 am -1 pm. For more information, call 518-643-8618. Locate the library’s excellent website at https://www.perufreelibrary.org or via the Clinton-Essex Franklin County system at https://cefls.org/libraries/peru/

“The Peru Democratic Party seeks candidates for several town and county offices. If you are interested in seeking any of these offices please contact Peru Democratic Party Chairman Marque Moffett at perudemocrats@gmail.com

The party is actively looking for Democrats who are willing to serve our community in the following ways:

• as a member of Peru’s Town Council
• as a County Legislator for area 5 or area 7
• as a Delegate to the County Democratic Committee
• as the County Coroner
• as the County Clerk.

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