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New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli released the following statement on Governor Hochul’s Executive Budget proposal:
“The Executive Budget proposal put forth today by Governor Hochul comes at a time of continued economic growth and improving revenues. State Operating spending is projected to grow by 7.9%, which is above the rate of inflation. I’m particularly concerned about the out-year budget gaps of $23.2 billion for the next three fiscal years, even as the Governor proposes to extend the personal income tax surcharge on high earners.
“The state needs to be prepared to assess any actions taken by the new administration in Washington and how they could affect New York’s finances. As we enter into a time of potential economic uncertainty, a focus on the long-term sustainability of the state’s finances and maintaining a commitment to increasing statutory reserves is necessary.
“My office will release a more detailed analysis of the Executive Budget in the coming weeks.”
Please join us for a celebration of the life and values of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Featuring Keynote Speaker Robin Caudell and the MLK Gospel Singers Sunday, February 2, 2025, at 1:30 pm Warren Ballrooms, Angell College Center, SUNY Plattsburgh
This annual celebration is free and open to the community and hosted by The MLK Committee and the SUNY Plattsburgh Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Senator Dan Stec (R,C-Queensbury) today issued the following statement concerning Governor Hochul’s Executive Budget proposal:
“Just one week ago, at her State of the State address, Governor Hochul admitted that New York must do more to become more affordable. What is needed is action to restore fiscal sanity to our state and provide immediate relief to middle-class families. Rather than do that, the governor presented a budget that continues the same trends of high taxes and overspending.
“Her $252 billion spending plan is $13 billion more than last year’s enacted state budget and $84 billion more than the last budget passed before Democrats assumed total control of state government in 2019. This chronic, massive increase in spending has been a hallmark of Democrat leadership and this year’s proposal only further positions New York for financial disaster. At a time when so many families and businesses have been forced to stretch out a dollar and are expected to do more with less, it’s unacceptable that the governor and Democrat leaders refuse to do the same with state spending. The inability to do so only magnifies how weak Governor Hochul’s affordability plans are.
“Governor Hochul’s ‘relief’ for taxpayers comes in the form of ‘inflation rebate’ checks that merely pay lip service to the state’s continued overtaxing of families and small businesses. The middle-class tax cut and child tax credit she was quick to tout in her State of the State address are being slow-rolled, with a two-year phase-in for each. These inadequate proposals do not come close to meeting the immediate needs of our residents and do little to address the immediate and ongoing affordability crises we face. Instead of gimmick checks and an insulting 0.2 percent tax cut for families, there must be substantive tax relief and state government needs to rein in its out of control, rampant spending.
“This could be accomplished by securing our northern border and ending the massive, multi-billion dollar handouts to illegal immigrants, which is continued in this proposal. There was nothing that would bring relief to the border counties, which have had to spend money to address a crisis created by the governor and Democrat leaders’ failing, unpopular sanctuary state and city policies.
“The governor could stop allowing the MTA to siphon tens of billions in taxpayer funds each year at the expense of our region’s infrastructure, but this plan doesn’t do anything to address that. This means taxpayers are still on the hook for the continued financial ineptitude of downstate Democrats and the MTA.
“Last year’s election was a referendum on affordability, the migrant crisis and public safety. Apparently, Governor Hochul didn’t understand that message. The moment calls for a governor that will rise to the occasion, show leadership and address the very real issues our families and small businesses face. What we received was yet another tone deaf Executive Budget proposal.”
“I was honored to be on hand in Washington D.C. for the inauguration and address of President Donald J. Trump. It was truly a thrill to be part of history and to hear the President strike the message that our nation needed to hear.
“President Trump presented a vision of America that would unify and restore our status as a global leader. The America First agenda he outlined will ensure our country is based on meritocracy, where anything is possible through hard work and playing by the rules. It’s the hopeful, ideal of America we all believe in.
“After his inaugural address, I’m more certain than ever that our nation is about to enter what President Trump referred to as a new Golden Age. I can’t wait to get to work to help make the President’s goals for this great nation a reality.”
Existing Wastewater Pretreatment and Treatment buildings (Peru Gazette File Photo)
The Cross Street Water-Sewer-Parks Department building would become a storage building. (Peru Gazette File Photo)
Peru, NY—The Saturday, January 18, Press-Republican legal page included a request for bids for upgrades to Peru’s wastewater treatment plant. After contractors submit bids on February 25, it will be up to the town board to decide if the town can afford all the work envisioned or must reduce the project scope. Deficiencies in the plant’s disinfection and preliminary treatment processes resulted in the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) mandating upgrades. In 2023, Peru signed a consent order agreeing to begin construction by July 25, 2025, and complete it by May 1, 2028.
AES Northeast, the engineering firm designing and supervising the project, presented three options to the town board. One included plant upgrades, a new department administrative building with a locker room, bathroom, lab, and showers, a 5-bay garage, and several upgrades to the village’s collection system. The second option did not include the village collection upgrades, and the third option did not include the 5-bay garage. The board decided to seek bids on the second option.
The Water-Sewer-Parks Department operates in a decades-old Cross Street building that once housed the highway department. Department Superintendent Courtney Tetrault says more storage is needed, the offices are cramped, and there are no lockers or showers. Employees often drive personnel vehicles home to clean up after working on a sewer line break.
At a January 7 workshop, AES stated they reduced the projected cost to $21 million with 70% grant funding. AES previously projected the cost to be $22.6 million with 60% grant funding. At that level, the sewer district’s approximately 565 users would incur a $320,000 annual debt payment or roughly $451 per EDU (Equivalent Dwelling Unit). Following the workshop, Town Supervisor Craig Randall requested updated detailed cost figures reflecting AES’s calculations. Randall wants to translate the projected cost into the cost per thousand dollars assessed value for district dwellings.
General bid specifications in the Press-Republican legal ad included site work, demolishing the existing treatment plant and administration buildings, construction of a new administrative and treatment building, constructing a 5-bay vehicle storage building, modifications to the existing solids handling building and secondary treatment building, construction of a new a filtrate pump, construction of stormwater treatment area, site fill and grading, paving, and miscellaneous site improvement.
AES will conduct a pre-bid conference with interested contractors on Wednesday, January 29, at 10 a.m. at the Peru Town Hall.
Foster Grandparents are role models, mentors, and friends to children with exceptional needs. The program provides a way for volunteers age 55 and over to stay active by serving children and youth in their communities. They are placed in a classroom with a child or children who need emotional support, development of basic learning skills, friendship, companionship, encouragement, individual attention, and unhurried help. The program currently has 40 volunteers and serves more than 100 kids per year.
To volunteer in this program, you can live in one of the following counties. Franklin, Essex County, Clinton County, St. Lawrence County or Jefferson County
Students in grades 3-5 can sign up for a night of fun in the gyms, with games and activities planned by the indoor track team’s coaches and athletes! All proceeds from ticket sales will help the indoor track team attend more events this season.
A child admission ticket covers (1) child for the event. Snacks will NOT be included at the event. Children are encouraged to bring a water bottle and any snacks if needed.
If you are a parent who is interested in volunteering for this fundraiser, you can sign up here – Volunteer Sign-Up Link: https://tinyurl.com/PeruKNO-Volunteer
Drop-off and pick-up will be at the Intermediate Gym, which has doors on the bus loop behind the Elementary School.
CVPH News Release – Foundation of CVPH fundraiser supports women’s heart health
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) says, on average, 86 women in Clinton County die each year from heart disease.
PLATTSBURGH, NY (1/20/2025) – Getting dressed for the day is not typically considered a lifesaving activity. In this case, it could do exactly that for women in the North Country and across America.
The Foundation of Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH) is asking businesses and community members in northern New York to join millions of people in rocking their red as part of “National Wear Red Day” on Feb. 7. The day is dedicated to raising awareness about efforts to end heart disease and stroke while spreading the word about the risks and how to prevent heart disease.
“Losing even one woman to cardiovascular disease is too many,” says Michelle Senecal, Foundation of CVPH Events and Special Projects Manager. “Who will you wear red for? Whether it’s a loved one, co-worker or neighbor, this is an easy way to make a real difference in their lives and health.”
The Foundation is asking local businesses and residents to wear red and donate $5 in honor of someone they know who has been affected by heart disease. It also offers a red logo pin for $10. Individuals can donate by visiting UVMHealth.org/CVPHHeart. Businesses interested in participating or getting more information can contact Senecal at 518-314-3359 or email her at msenecal@cvph.org.
Money raised through this National Wear Red Day event will go toward a $1.2 million cardiac and pulmonary rehab expansion project at the hospital. The upgraded center will more than double the number of cardiac patients who can undergo rehab and open up a new pulmonary rehab program.
More than 60 million women in the United States are living with some form of heart disease, and it is the leading cause of death for women in the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) says, on average, 86 women in Clinton County die each year from heart disease.
“By wearing red and giving a small gift to The Foundation, you’re helping people with heart and lung disease live fuller lives,” Senecal adds.
1/20/24 – 5 a.m. Starting today, you’ll notice noticeably colder temperatures. These cold temperatures, with wind chills of -5 to -15 F, will last through Thursday morning before temperatures return to normal next weekend. If you’re spending time outside, please be sure to dress accordingly!
National Weather Service – Burlington- Heads up! Temperatures will turn very cold Monday onward, with wind chills below zero throughout Vermont and northern New York. The mountains will be especially cold. Anyone planning to recreate outdoors should take precautions against the extreme cold.
The Peru Town Board conducted its 2025 Organizational Meeting on Monday, January 13. The board approved all proposed resolutions except those related to the Peru Free Library and JCEO, which are awaiting more information. The board expects to approve those resolutions at its January 27 meeting.
Here is the agenda for the meeting, followed by the resolutions.
Call Meeting To Order
Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call
DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION:Establishment of 2025 Salaries for Elected Positions:
DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION:Approval of 2025 Appointees.
DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION:Establishment of 2025 Appointee Salaries and Frequency of Payments
DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION:Establishment of Town Department Liaisons.
DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION:Establishment of 2025 Regular Town Board Meeting Dates and Times.
DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION:Approval of 2025 Contracts.
DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION:Establishment of 2025 Town Mileage Reimbursement.
DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION:Designation of Town Depositories.
DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION:Designation of Town Newspaper.
January 21, 2025
Please join us for a celebration of the life and values of Martin Luther King, Jr. 
Students in grades 3-5 can sign up for a night of fun in the gyms, with games and activities planned by the indoor track team’s coaches and athletes! All proceeds from ticket sales will help the indoor track team attend more events this season.
CVPH News Release – Foundation of CVPH fundraiser supports women’s heart health 
1/20/24 – 5 a.m. 
Chili
National Weather Service – Burlington- Heads up! Temperatures will turn very cold Monday onward, with wind chills below zero throughout Vermont and northern New York. The mountains will be especially cold. Anyone planning to recreate outdoors should take precautions against the extreme cold.