The Peru Gazette

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New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents statewide. Working with other state agencies, local emergency response organizations, and volunteer search and rescue groups, Forest Rangers locate, and extract lost, injured, or distressed people from across New York State.

Town of Harrietstown, Franklin County
Wilderness Search: On April 8 at 10:15 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from a subject concerned about a 57-year-old friend who was one day overdue from a hike on Seward Mountain. Six Forest Rangers started searching at 2:30 a.m., and 12 more Rangers later joined the search. One crew located the subject’s snowshoe tracks after brushing below four inches of fresh snow. The Rangers followed those tracks for 100 yards and continued in that direction. At 12:36 p.m., the Rangers located the subject at the Ouluska Pass lean-to off the Northville-Placid trail. The hiker was tired, but otherwise in good health. Rangers escorted the hiker back to the trailhead where he was met by a family member. Resources were clear at 4:52 p.m.

Town of Burke
Franklin County
Law Enforcement: On April 13, Ray Brook Dispatch requested Forest Ranger response to a wildland fire. Burke Volunteer Fire Department responded and extinguished a fire started by a subject illegally burning debris and leaves in their yard. A Forest Ranger issued a ticket for a violation of the statewide annual ban on residential brush burning.

Village of Saranac Lake
Essex County
Wilderness Search: On April 13 at 9:25 p.m., Forest Ranger responded to a call for a shoeless subject last seen walking into the woods. Rangers searched with Saranac Lake Fire Department and Saranac Lake Police. At 10:30 p.m., Rangers Adams, Corey, and Jansen located the 26-year-old in good health and walked them back to their residence. Saranac Lake EMS took over care of the subject.

Honoring Dispatchers: April 13 to 19 is National Public Safety Telecommunications Week, which honors the vital work of public safety telecommunicators, who are often the first point of contact for emergency calls.

Dispatcher Hanf

Dispatcher Nerp

April 17, 2025 – Elise Stefanik News Release 

Peru Gazette File Photo While Plattsburgh International Airport qualifies as a port of entry under CBP’s criteria, it has not received this designation, which has resulted in increased costs for the airport and travelers flying in and out. Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Elise Stefanik reintroduced the bipartisan Border Airport Fairness Act to designate Plattsburgh International Airport as a Port of Entry (POE), saving the airport around $800,000 per year. “The Border Airport Fairness Act will save Plattsburgh International Airport hundreds of thousands of dollars in costs by ensuring that it receives the designation it deserves. My legislation makes certain that Plattsburgh International Airport is equipped with the resources it needs to continue meeting the transportation needs of Upstate New York and North Country families and continue to provide access for tourists visiting our region,” said Congresswoman Elise Stefanik. “I’m proud to work alongside Congresswoman Elise Stefanik on this bipartisan legislation to save South Texans and travelers from duplicative costs,” said Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX). “As our region continues to rapidly grow, it’s essential that our airports and transportation infrastructure not only keep up with increased demand for commercial travel but also continue to support critical federal operations. This legislation is an investment in our future.” “This bill is great news for our airport and the people who rely on it. Removing the user-fee burden will help us put those dollars back into operations, maintenance, and future improvements,” said Robert Hall, Plattsburgh International Airport Committee Chairperson (D-Area 10, Plattsburgh). “We appreciate Congresswoman Stefanik’s continued support for keeping our airport strong and sustainable.” “Plattsburgh International Airport is one of our region’s most significant economic drivers, and this legislation addresses a longstanding barrier to its continued growth. Eliminating the financial strain of user-fee status will allow for smarter reinvestment in infrastructure and services. I commend Congresswoman Stefanik for her leadership in advancing a solution that enhances regional competitiveness and long-term sustainability,” said Mark Henry, Clinton County Legislative Chairperson (R-Area 3, Chazy). “This bill is only fair, treating Plattsburgh International the same as so many other airports,” said Garry Douglas, President of the North Country Chamber of Commerce. “Its adoption would secure our airport Customs operation permanently and thereby support the development of new international air activities here. And it would free valuable resources for airport marketing, air service development and other improvements. We thank Congresswoman Stefanik for being our champion in the House and will continue to support her efforts on our behalf. Onward and upward!” Plattsburgh International Airport is one of only two primary commercial service airports in close proximity to the Northern or Southern Border designated as user-fee airports. This means the airports must pay out of pocket for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) services such as security screenings, cargo security and examinations, and immigration inspections.

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Miner Institute is teaching students how to test drinking water

Karley Tourville, Kaysha Korth, Melina Mitchell, Violette Surman, and Oliver Hurd are members of the Students Against a Vanishing Environment Club

By John T. Ryan

The Peru High School gym is bustling with activity from Tuesday to Thursday this week as 1,200 students participate in Earth Fest 2025. Sixteen environmental education and student organizations are on hand to answer questions, distribute literature, and conduct hands-on learning activities.

The school club Students Against a Vanishing Environment hosts the event under the guidance of teacher Greg Badger. Karley Tourville explained, “Our organization is trying to assist the school with composting and maintaining the gardens. We organize clean-up days.” Kayshn Korth added, “Some people don’t respect the environment. Often, there’s a lot of trash left on the school grounds that we can help clean up.” Club President Violette Furman stated, “We’re trying to educate younger students. Some spectators at football games don’t seem to care.” Melina Mitchell emphasized, “Sometimes high school events look like a trash bowl. Educating our youth is essential for the future. We’re doing what we can to empower them.”

Organizations represented at the event include the Clinton County Soil & Water Conservation Department, Casella, the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), the Lake Champlain Basin Program, Compost For Good, the Wild Center’s Youth Climate Program, Lake Champlain Sea Grant, Miner Institute, the North Country Clean Energy Hub, the Ausable Freshwater Center, Clinton/Essex Cornell Cooperative Extension, the Clinton County Health Department, the Adirondack Watershed Institute, the Adirondack Mountain Club, and the Point Au Roche Nature Center.

Student groups involved include Students Against a Vanishing Environment, the National Art Honor Society, the National Honor Society, the High School Student Leadership Group, the Environmental Science Class, the Elementary Student Leadership Group, the Elementary Media Club, the Butterfly Effect Club, and the Science National Honor Society.

4/17/25 Correction – Violette Furman is Club President, not Karley Tourville as initially stated.

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Peru – CVPH Donor Center Blood Brive, Monday, April 21,  from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at St. Augustine’s Parish Center, 3030 Main St. in Peru.

The blood collected by the Donor Center provides more than 95% of the blood used at CVPH and is used to supply other hospitals in Elizabethtown, Malone, Massena, Saranac Lake and Glens Falls.

St. Augustine’s Knights of Columbus Council 7273 is coordinating the drive. 

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New York passed a law requiring anyone operating a motorized vessel to get and carry a boating safety certificate.

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Peru CSD will conduct Earth Day celebration workshops involving sixteen (16) environmental education organizations and student presenters from April 15th to April 17^th, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

This is a three-day event to celebrate Earth Day and bring greater awareness of environmental issues to our students, staff, and community. There will be stations similar to a science fair, with various Earth Day activities. The venues will include the High School Gymnasium, Outdoor Courtyard, and Library.

The first two (2) days will be for Middle and High School students, and the third day will be for Grades 3-5 Elementary students. Over 1,200 students will view, interact, explore, and create with presenting organizations. Student club leaders will facilitate, guide, and assist presenters. Each station will take approximately fifteen (15) minutes and may include a presentation and activity.

Classes will be divided in half to accommodate approximately ten (10) students per station. Student groups will see three (3) station presentations and activities. After the event, students will be able to share their experiences with others.

Organizations Presenting include: Clinton County Soil & Water Conservation Department, Casella, DEC, Lake Champlain Basin Program, Compost For Good, Wild Center’s Youth Climate Program, Lake Champlain Sea Grant, Miner Institute, Lake Champlain Sea Grant, North Country Clean Energy Hub, Ausable Freshwater Center, Clinton/Essex Cornell Cooperative Extension, Clinton County Health Department, Adirondack Watershed Institute, Adirondack Mountain Club, and Point Au Roche Nature Center.

Student groups include:

Students Against a Vanishing Environment, National Art Honor Society, National Honor Society, High School Student Leadership Group, Environmental Science Class, Elementary Student Leadership Group, Elementary Media Club, Butterfly Effect Club, and Science National Honor Society.

Please reach out if you have any questions and/or would like to schedule a visit.

—

1. Call Meeting to Order
2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Roll Call 

4. 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; Banking Reports, and JCEO);

5. MOTION: Acceptance of Minutes for the Regular Meeting of March 24, 2025 and Special Meeting of April 8, 2025.

6. Community Input. 

7. DISCUSSION/MOTION: 

8. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Acceptance of Internal Audit for the Town Court System.

9. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Approval of Trespasz Law Bond Counsel Retainer Letter.

10. DISCUSSION: Update on the Telegraph Rd. Culvert Project by C & S Engineers.

11. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:   Approval to Close H26 Capital Project Bank Account.

12. DISCUSSION: Other Business: Council Comments

13. DISCUSSION: Other Business: Department Head Comments.

14. DISCUSSION: Public Comments on Agenda Items Only.

15. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Pay April 2025 Bills.

16. MOTION: Adjourn to Executive Session.

17. MOTION: Return from Executive Session. 

18. MOTION: Adjourn Meeting.

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Ham and Potato Casserole

Vegetable 

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!

In September 2023, Chriss Zuckerman, a resident of a Howard Center residential facility, was killed by a car on Shelburne Road. Could her death have been avoided?

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