The Peru Gazette

Legislature News Release 

            January 3, 2025 – Plattsburgh, NY – The Clinton County Legislature held its Organizational Meeting on January 2, 2025, setting the stage for another productive year. Key leadership positions were reaffirmed, emphasizing continuity and a steadfast focus on advancing priorities for Clinton County residents.

            Mark Henry was re-elected as Chairperson of the Legislature, continuing his proven leadership and dedication to addressing the County’s most pressing needs. Robert Hall retained his position as Deputy Chairperson, ensuring experienced oversight of legislative efforts. Rob Timmons remains the Republican Leader, and Patty Waldron continues as the Democratic Leader, both maintaining strong leadership roles within their respective caucuses.

            “I am honored to serve another term as Chair of the Clinton County Legislature,” said Mark Henry, Chairperson (R-Area 3, Chazy). “This year, we will focus on tangible improvements in economic development, education, public safety, and healthcare. These priorities reflect our ongoing commitment to ensuring Clinton County remains a thriving and vibrant community.”

            Robert Hall, Deputy Chairperson (D-Ward 10, City of Plattsburgh), highlighted the value of consistent leadership, saying, “It is a privilege to continue serving as Deputy Chair. My focus remains on delivering effective governance and addressing the needs of the County’s residents.”

            “Clinton County is well-positioned for continued progress,” said Rob Timmons, Republican Leader (R-Area 7, Peru). “Our efforts will be directed toward advancing priorities that enhance quality of life and ensure a strong future for our community.”

            “Supporting the growth and success of Clinton County’s residents and businesses is at the heart of my work,” said Patty Waldron, Democratic Leader (D-Area 6, Saranac). “I look forward to advancing initiatives that drive economic opportunity and improve daily life for all who live here.”

            The Clinton County Legislature remains committed to delivering effective leadership and achieving measurable results for its residents in 2025 and beyond.

Click here for the VTDigger story 

Click here for the NCPR story 

https://www.apple.com/tv-pr/news/2024/12/get-a-free-all-access-pass-to-apple-tv-the-first-weekend-of-2025/

Peru High School News Release

The Peru CSD Board of Education’s Policy Committee will meet briefly on Friday, January 10, 2025, at 9:00 AM. The meeting will take place in the High School Building, in the District Office. The sole purpose of the meeting is for policy development of proposed Policy #0105. (Updated 1/4/25 following a Peru Gazette question as to what Policy #0105 is.) “It is a draft policy provided by the State School Boards Association that local districts can review and determine if they’d like to implement it. It is regarding equity, inclusivity, and diversity. If our policy committee chooses to consider it, we might have a first reading on 1/14 and a second reading/adoption on 2/11.”

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

DEC Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar has announced more than $16 million in Climate Smart Communities Grant awards to municipalities across the state. The grant awards represent the largest ever awarded since the program was created thanks to funding from the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022. The funded projects will help New York advance the emission-reduction targets under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act and support local projects to reduce pollution, decrease flood risk, improve infrastructure, and enhance climate resilience in communities.

Find the full list of the awards (PDF) on DEC’s website.

North Country

Town of Colton – $186,000

Colton will replace 1,715 feet of sidewalk along NY-56 with new, five-foot-wide ADA-compliant sidewalks. The existing sidewalk is in various states of disrepair and cannot be properly maintained due to its unlevel surface. Creating a safe pedestrian corridor along this route was identified as a need in a recent community-wide walkability survey.

Village of Potsdam – $104,000

Potsdam will complete three certification actions – comprehensive plan with sustainability elements, complete streets policy, and planning for bicycling and walking – to guide the community’s growth and development in the face of rapid changes due to ongoing economic and demographic shifts. The village is investing in resilience and sustainable development through application of smart growth principles.

Shepherd’s Pie

Salad 

Bread

Dessert

Served 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., take-out only, at St. Augustine’s Parish Center, 3030 Main St., Peru, NY 12972 

All are invited and welcome!

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar today announced the adoption of updated regulations to protect freshwater wetlands across the state. The regulations implement new statutory requirements under the State’s Freshwater Wetlands Act, safeguarding an estimated one million additional acres of wetland habitat.

“Protecting freshwater wetlands is critical to the health of New York’s natural environment, helping protect communities from flooding through natural resiliency and creating habitats for fish and wildlife,” Interim Commissioner Mahar said. “The updated regulations include additional guidance to ensure the long-term health of these vital ecosystems, which provide economic and ecological benefits to communities across the state. Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, DEC will continue to work closely with property owners and developers to ensure the implementation of these updated regulations balance environmental protection and economic and renewable energy development.”

Freshwater wetlands are lands and submerged lands—commonly called marshes, swamps, sloughs, and bogs—that support aquatic or semi-aquatic vegetation. Protecting freshwater wetlands is essential for preserving biodiversity, as wetlands provide critical habitats for numerous plant and animal species. These ecosystems improve water quality by filtering pollutants, mitigate flooding by absorbing excess rainfall, and play a significant role in carbon sequestration.

The updated regulations take effect in January 2025 and clarify the jurisdictional status of smaller wetlands of “unusual importance” that meet one of 11 specific criteria contained in the State’s amended Freshwater Wetlands Act, which was modernized as part of the 2022-2023 Enacted State Budget. In addition, the regulations provide a streamlined wetlands classification system and process for the public to request and appeal jurisdictional determinations.

“Audubon is thrilled that the Department of Environmental Conservation has adopted strong regulations that will protect over a million acres of freshwater wetlands in New York State,” National Audubon Society Policy Director Erin McGrath said. “Wetlands provide shelter, rest, and nourishment for millions of birds and important ecosystem services to New Yorkers across the state – but they are in crisis. Updating the regulations to enact the historic reforms made to the New York State Freshwater Wetlands Act in 2022 will allow the Department to protect these critical resources for the birds and people that rely on them. We thank Governor Hochul, Interim Commissioner Mahar, and the Department for their commitment to protecting our wetlands.”

“These historic wetlands regulatory reforms will make New York’s communities more resilient to the catastrophic floods, droughts, and ecological disruption brought on by the climate crisis,” Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter Conservation Director Roger Downs said. “State and municipal leaders will now have the tools to identify and enhance the diverse mosaic of wetlands that protects New York’s infrastructure, drinking water, and biodiversity. The Sierra Club applauds Governor Hochul, Commissioner Mahar and all the support staff who have tirelessly labored over the new rules to create an effective new freshwater wetlands and vernal pools protection program. With the increasing severity of climate change, these reforms could not have come soon enough.”

“The Nature Conservancy is thrilled that stronger protections for freshwater wetlands in New York State will take effect on January 1,” The Nature Conservancy’s New York Executive Director Bill Ulfelder said. “We commend Governor Hochul and the Department of Environmental Conservation for finalizing new rules to protect one million acres of wetlands. Healthy wetlands clean our air and water by naturally removing contaminants, buffer communities from flooding and droughts, and provide habitat to wildlife and many endangered species. Expanding state wetland protections is a huge win for New York and the country.”

DEC will host a webinar on Jan. 15, 2025, at 2 p.m. to provide information and answer questions about the updated Freshwater Wetlands program regulations. Registration for the webinar is available here. A webinar recording will be posted on DEC’s website when available. Additional public engagement sessions—including webinars and community workshops—are planned for 2025.

The final regulations and additional resources, including maps and information, are available on DEC’s website.

In addition to the finalized regulations, DEC proposed a statewide general permit for various activities in State-regulated freshwater wetlands and adjacent areas, protected waterbodies, and navigable waters. The Freshwater Wetlands General Permit (GP-0-25-003) would be for a five-year term to allow for the repair, replacement, or removal of existing structures and facilities; construction or modification of various residential, commercial, industrial, or public structures; temporary installation of access roads and laydown areas; cutting trees and vegetation; drilling test wells; and routine beach maintenance and replenishment in areas under DEC jurisdiction. The draft permit can be found on DEC’s Freshwater Wetlands General Permit website. Public comments will be accepted through Jan. 27, 2025, and can be submitted via email to DEPPermitting@dec.ny.gov or via mail to NYSDEC Division of Environmental Permits, Attn: Kristen Cady-Poulin, 4th Floor, NYSDEC 625 Broadway, Albany NY 12233-1750. DEC is also developing additional draft freshwater wetland general permits in 2025.

All events are free and open to the public. December 31, 2024

January 9^th, 2:30 pm, Meadowbrook Healthcare, 154 Prospect Avenue, Plattsburgh.  History of Clinton County in Pictures. Where did the County start, and how did it develop? See photos of the towns and villages that formed to become part of the Clinton County story.

January 14, 6:45 pm, Lake Forest Retirement Community, 8 Lake Forest Drive, Plattsburgh. History of Clinton County in Pictures. Where did the County start, and how did it develop? See photos of the towns and villages that formed to become part of the Clinton County story. Doors open at 6:30.

January 17, 12:30 pm, Plattsburgh Senior Center, 5139 North Catherine Street, Plattsburgh. Plattsburgh City Hall and the Macdonough Monument:  their design and construction as told in photos from the Clinton County Historical Association’s Collection with Helen Nerska.

January 21, 2:00 pm, Peru Free Library, 3042 Main Street, Peru. Portraits and Painters of the Early Champlain Valley (1800-1865) with Helen Nerska. See the portraits and learn the painters’ history and their sitters’ lives. Attendees are encouraged to bring photos of old paintings they might have and share the history of their paintings.

January 23, 6:30 pm, CCHA, 98 Ohio Avenue, Plattsburgh. The History of Railroads in Clinton County – Lyon Mountain (Part IV). Inspired by CCHA photo albums of early area trains and the recently acquired collection of rail enthusiast Lawrence Duffina, Transportation Historian Dick Soper will share the history of rail development, which opened up Clinton County to new markets and eventually to new tourism and a past we now take for granted. See old photos, then aerial videos of today’s rails. This is the fourth in a 5-part series from 1833 to the present, including photographs, newspaper articles, aerial videos, and information from the large collection of railroad books recently added to the Clinton County Historical Association’s research library.

Click here for the Syracuse.com story 

Click here for the Syracuse.com story 

TOWN OF PERU

7. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
8. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
9. ROLL CALL
10. APPROVAL of  December 2024 minutes
11. OPEN FLOOR to public hearing
12. APPLICATIONS:

1. Z2024-099; Special Use Permit- Off-Premises Sign, Adirondack Coast Self-Storage, 269.-1-40, Town Park Rd/State Rt 22

2. Z2024-0102; 7-Foot Relief from Roadway for Sign

       Adirondack Coast Self Storage, 269.-1-40, Town Park Rd/State Rt 22

3. Z2024-103; 2 Foot Side Setback Relief, Ryan Darby,  258.-2-52, 3760 US Route 9 

13. CEO REPORT
14. ADJOURNMENT

TOWN OF PERU

1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. ROLL CALL
4. APPROVAL December 2024 minutes
5. OPEN FLOOR to public hearing
6. APPLICATIONS:

1. P2024-0031 Site Plan Review-Sign, Valcour Boat Rentals, 258.-2-2.1, 4013 US Route 9

2. P2024-0032 Site Plan Review-Equipment Modification, T Mobile, 276.-2-2, 1159 Peasleeville Rd.

ANY FURTHER BUSINESS

CEO REPORT

ADJOURNMENT

The Town of Peru Town Board has scheduled a Work Session for Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at 4:00 PM.  The purpose of the workshop is to discuss the wastewater treatment project. The Workshop will take place at The Peru Town Hall.

Lynda Mussen of Peru, NY is a participating artist 

Click here for the Adirondack Almanac story 

1.2M potholes were filled, 3,189 bridges replaced

Click here for the Sun Community News story 

Massive contribution boosts Cornerstone Campaign projects

Click here for the Sun Community News story 

Town of North Elba, Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On Dec. 26 at 12:52 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from a hiker at Marcy Dam who advised their feet were frozen and they could not continue hiking. Forest Rangers Curcio and Rooney located two 18-year-olds from New Jersey. One of them was barefoot with his feet wrapped in his jacket. The hiker’s boots and socks were frozen. Rangers treated both subjects for mild hypothermia, provided extra layers of clothes, and transported the pair back to the trailhead. Resources were clear by 4 p.m.

Town of Hunter, Greene County
Wilderness Rescue: On Dec. 27 at 10:24 a.m., Forest Rangers responded to a call for an ice-climber fall in Kaaterskill Clove. The 62-year-old fell approximately 35 feet. Rangers worked with Haines Falls Rescue, Kingston Technical Rescue Team, Tannersville Rescue, and the Twin Cloves Technical Rescue Team on a technical rope rescue. Crews pulled the climber to safety and brought him to a waiting Hunter Ambulance. Resources were clear at 12:15 p.m.

Town of Pawling, Dutchess County
Ice Rescue: On Dec. 23 at 12:35 p.m., Forest Ranger Cowart responded to a call for a skater who had fallen through the ice on Lake Dutchess. When Ranger Cowart arrived, a Pawling Fire Department member had already secured the 31-year-old from Pawling in a kayak but was unable to get himself out of the water. Ranger Cowart worked with New York State Police, Dutchess County Sheriff’s Department, and Kent Police on a flat ice rescue. Ranger Cowart was secured to a 300-foot rope before entering the ice. The Fire Department rescuer was tethered to a short rope that Ranger Cowart grabbed to pull him to safety. Once on the surface of the ice, Ranger Cowart directed response personnel to pull all three individuals back to shore. The subject was taken to the hospital to be treated for hypothermia. Resources were clear at 1:43 p.m.

Ausable River surpassed flood stage in some areas Monday morning

Click here for the Sun Community News story 

Click here for the Observer story 

Peru and Ticonderoga students prepare to record their joint podcast on Dec. 18

Peru and Ticonderoga students record their joint podcast on Dec. 18

Ticonderoga teachers Sarah Ellsworth and Kate Crammond accompanied Ticonderoga students to Peru on Dec. 18. (Photos: Peru Central School District)

Sweethearts and Heroes News Release

PERU, NY — Peru and Ticonderoga high school students gathered here recently for a special mini-summit that included a joint podcast recording and other inspiring activities that swirled around HOPE (Hold On, Possibilities Exist).

On Wednesday, Dec. 18, 14 Ticonderoga students and their teachers, Kate Crammond and Sarah Ellsworth, went to Peru High School to catch up on each school’s activities since their involvement in Sweethearts & Heroes’ first Youth Leadership Summit last September.

Sweethearts & Heroes aims to prevent hopelessness, bullying and suicide by providing dynamic, inspiring content that centers on the human interaction skills necessary for schools and other organizations to change all aspects of their culture — skills such as empathy, compassion and teamwork. Sweethearts & Heroes programs are embedded in Peru and Ticonderoga schools and have changed the school culture in those districts, according to administrators.

On Dec. 18, Ticonderoga students joined a handful of Peru students to record an episode of Peru students’ new Sweethearts & Heroes-inspired podcast, The FISH Perspective. Students also weaved Circles with educators. Circle, which is built on the ancient ritual of communicating in a circle to build compassion and empathy, is one of Sweethearts & Heroes’ most popular and effective programs and is now a staple of Peru and Ticonderoga schools.

Sweethearts & Heroes also offers a profound, engaging signature presentation that calls for HOPE (Hold On, Possibilities Exist), Empathy and Action; and the BRAVE Youth Leadership System, which trains older students in bully drills that they, in turn, teach to students in lower grades, thus creating a sustainable, student-directed initiative that can change a school’s culture. Hundreds of Peru and Ticonderoga students have completed the BRAVE System.

During this school year, Sweethearts & Heroes started offering Train the Trainer, which teaches current educators how to weave their own Circle trainings for future hires; and STEP (the Student Teacher Empathy Program), which teaches high school students how to present Sweethearts & Heroes’ signature assemblies for students in grades K-2 and 3-5.

“Immediately after the Summit (last September), Peru students wanted to get together with other schools from the Summit as a ‘mini-reunion,’” said Jen Guay, Sweethearts & Heroes Director of Human Skills and Student Engagement. “The life-changing experiences at the Summit and the positive energy shared between students sparked a movement to continue connecting with attendees of the Summit. Many students were adamant about preserving the newly formed friendships. Yes, they could connect through social media platforms, but they craved more face-to-face communication in a shared physical space. A special bond was formed between Peru and Ticonderoga at they Summit, and they started calling their collective group ‘Peroga.’ Peru students asked Matt Berry (Peru High School Principal) if they could hold Circles with Ticonderoga students, and the wheels were set in motion. Peru students also recommended that some Ticonderoga students join the FISH. Perspective Podcast at Peru to expand student engagement and put a message of unity into the air.”

After the Dec. 18 event, Peru student Lahla Lashway said, “Peru should do this with every school. It is a great way to build relationships across North Country Schools.”

Ticonderoga student Avery Lender said, “It was a welcoming experience that built stronger bonds between the Ti and Peru students.” Ticonderoga student Quinn Lang added, “We all love talking about the Summit, so being able to share in a space like this was really amazing.”

In September, during National Suicide Prevention Month, about 140 students from seven Upstate New York schools attended Sweethearts & Heroes’ first three-day — and phone-free — Youth Leadership Summit with Spartan Race at Killington Resort in Vermont.

Sweethearts & Heroes’ central team of traveling presenters includes: Tom Murphy, Director and Founder, of St. Albans, VT; Ret. U.S. Army Sgt. Rick Yarosh, a HOPE expert, Purple Heart recipient and motivational speaker from New York who was burned severely while serving in Iraq; and Pat Fish, BRAVE Program Director & Circle Specialist, also of New York.

For more than 16 years, Sweethearts & Heroes has presented what Murphy calls “‘the ‘stop, drop and roll’ of bullying” to more than 2.5 million students in school districts from New England to Hawaii and north into Canada. Sweethearts & Heroes also tailors its presentations and workshops for businesses, non-profits and civic groups. Murphy said, “We go where we’re needed. That’s what heroes do.”

During Veterans Day week, Yarosh released A Bridge Named Amos, the inspiring, true story of his hero and service dog, Amos, who died in October, just before the book went to press. Born on Christmas, Amos was a lovable, black Lab who traveled with Yarosh over thousands of miles to hundreds of schools with Sweethearts & Heroes. Together, they taught children and adults how to overcome challenges, celebrate differences and embrace empathy. A Bridge Named Amos is told from Amos’ warm perspective, and it comes with a free downloadable workbook. OESJ Central School District (NY) Art Teacher Kevin Cannon illustrated the book.

Sweethearts & Heroes’ other books include Boredom School: For Those Bored in School, a collection of captivating, humorous and thought-provoking poems by Pat Fish; and 13 Pillows For Affective Teachers, a novel by Tom Murphy and Brian McKeon, of New York, that covers the themes of HOPE, Empathy and Action in the Sweethearts & Heroes curriculum.

Sweethearts & Heroes has also created The HOPE Classroom, a digital subscription service designed for various grade levels and different school sizes. This value-packed offering can allow Sweethearts & Heroes to be in every school in the U.S. For more on Sweethearts & Heroes, find them here on social media.