The Peru Gazette

The state legislature passed the Fair Play Ambulance Recovery Act (A534B) as part of the state budget, a bill sponsored by Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) that would allow fire departments to recover the costs of providing ambulance services. This law will help fire departments statewide recover $100 million for providing these services and will save the North Country $3 million. New York was the only state in the nation that did not allow fire departments to recover these costs.

            “This is a major victory for North Country fire departments that provide ambulance services,” said Assemblyman Billy Jones. “This is a lifeline for struggling local fire departments, many of which are run by volunteers so that they do not have to make the difficult decision to not provide these important services. We take for granted that our local fire departments will be there when we need them most and my bill will ensure that they will be able to continue to answer the call when our loved ones are in need. After working diligently with local fire departments and emergency services as well as members of the Firefighters Association of the State of New York (FASNY), New York State Association of Fire Chiefs, and the Association of Fire Districts of the State of New York to get this bill passed, this is indeed a day to celebrate.” Read more »

Grand Isle, VT – The Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP), Lake Champlain Sea Grant, and the Lake Champlain Research Consortium are pleased to announce that registration is now open for the 2022 Lake Champlain Research Conference. The conference will be held May 23^rd-24^th, 2022 at the Hilton Burlington Lake Champlain in downtown Burlington, VT.

The conference will bring together lake and watershed stakeholders, including researchers, resource managers, and the public to learn about findings from recent research on Lake Champlain and to commemorate the 50^th anniversary of the Clean Water Act. The conference will feature participation and research from New York, Vermont, Québec, and beyond, providing an opportunity for discussion, networking, and collaboration across Lake Champlain’s multi-jurisdictional watershed. College and university students, cultural organizations and watershed groups are encouraged to participate and scholarships are available.

Registration is open through May 6^th, 2022. Pre-registration is required. Please visit lcbp.org/lcrc for registration, conference sponsorship and lodging information, and to view the draft agenda. Lodging reservations at the conference venue must be made by April 29^th, 2022 to secure availability. All conference participants will be required to demonstrate proof of COVID vaccination.

Please visit lcbp.org/lcrc for more information about the 2022 Lake Champlain Research Conference. LCBP looks forward to seeing you at the conference!

Source: Two Adirondack waterway groups plan to merge | NCPR News

Source: NYPD identifies a person of interest in the Brooklyn subway shooting | NCPR News

 Grand Isle, VT – Cornell CALS PRO DAIRY will teach engineering standards for barnyard runoff control and vegetative treatment areas to agricultural field professionals on April 27^th at the Miner Institute in Chazy, New York. The presenters will share information about opportunities and challenges in designing best management practices that reduce the loss of phosphorus from farmland, protect water quality and help dairy farms become more sustainable. NYS Soil and Water Conservation District and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service managers will also describe economic incentives available for farmers who wish to protect water quality by installing best management practices.  

Many best management practices require an engineered design before a farmer can apply for funding assistance to implement the practice on the farm.  Agricultural practices such as clean water abatement from barn roofs, vegetated treatment areas, and barnyard runoff controls have engineering standards that must be met for proper installation. Four successful local farm projects will be featured as a portion of this training.    

Participants who complete the full training may receive up to 0.8 continuing education credits from Cornell. The course fee is $50 and participants may register by emailing Heather Darrow at hh96@cornell.edu. The registration deadline is April 22, 2022. For meeting questions, contact Peter Wright at pew2@cornell.edu.  

This training program is hosted by Cornell CALS PRO-DAIRY, Cornell Cooperative Extension, New York Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD), USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Lake Champlain Basin Program, and NEIWPCC. This work will help achieve the Clean Water and Healthy ecosystem goals of the LCBP’s long-term management plan Opportunities for Action (plan.lcbp.org). The program is supported by funds awarded to NEIWPCC on behalf of the LCBP by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  

Source: New York state to send STAR rebate checks to more than 2 million homeowners this fall – syracuse.com

Source: Tax deadline day changed for 2022: When is the last day to file taxes? – syracuse.com

Source: Amazon begins hiring for warehouse jobs in Clay; pay, start dates and how to apply – syracuse.com

Source: New York State Liquor Authority defines “substantial” food items to be purchased with alcohol to-go – NewsBreak

Source: Major Change Made New York State Driver’s License, State ID

Peru Town Board meeting of April 11, 2022

Source: Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin resigns following federal indictment – City & State New York

Source: Calls for salt-free roads  – Adirondack Explorer

Source: Musicians pair up to keep 7-foot Steinway in the Adirondacks | NCPR News

Source: An Essex County Land Bank could be a local solution to the Adirondack housing shortage | NCPR News

Source: CVPH and New York State Nurses Association still negotiating a contract

Source: War in Ukraine expected to impact planting season in our region

Source: Margaret Street voted to turn into one-way | Sun Community News PLATTSBURGH | Forty-two percent of respondents voted to convert Margaret Street into a one-way single shared-use lane with parking on both sides of the street in the secondary public feedback

“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that Central New York is considered a high-transmission zone for the coronavirus, and urges residents to wear masks indoors, including at schools, in Cayuga, Onondaga and Oswego counties. The state Department of Health expanded that masking recommendation to Cortland and Madison counties.”

Source: Covid hospitalizations jump in Onondaga County as cases keep rising – syracuse.com

Source: Bonnie Raitt’s bandmate says they’re all ready to get onstage again, as tour comes to Syracuse – syracuse.com

Assemblyman Billy Jones makes a speech on the Assembly floor about the inclusion of his Fair Play Ambulance Act in the state budget.

Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) announced he helped pass a 2022-23 state budget that invests in several crucial public sectors to provide economic relief for North Country residents including funding for agriculture, education, infrastructure and tax relief to families and businesses.

“With rising inflation, it was necessary to pass a comprehensive state budget that brings home real results and provides much-needed relief to North Country families,” said Jones. “From bolstering services for our brave service members to securing tax cuts for middle-class families and businesses, the final budget makes significant investments in North Country communities. As New York’s recovery continues, I’ll keep working with my Assembly colleagues to move our state forward.”

To help address rising costs North Country families are facing, the state budget accelerates the phase-in of middle-class tax cuts, suspends the state’s gas tax to help New Yorkers save at the pump, provides $2.2 billion in property tax rebate checks as well as cuts taxes by $100 million for New York small businesses, in addition to $250 million for tax credits to COVID-19-related expenses.

Education and Infrastructure Funding Read more »

Source: 50 years strong, District No. 3 recognized for decades of service | Sun Community News PLATTSBURGH | Local lawmakers, families and fellow volunteers alike recently honored District No. 3 Fire Department, its charter members and its five decades of service

Assemblyman Jones joins Town of Franklin Supervisor Dorothy Brown, Highway Superintendent Jacques DeMars and highway department employees on Monday for a tour of the town’s new garage. 

Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) announced that he secured $500,000 for the town of Franklin to help with expenses relating to the rebuild of the town highway garage after it was destroyed by a fire in December 2019. Jones announced the funding as he toured the new facility.

“The morning after the fire, I was there on the ground to see the damages firsthand and to offer any assistance I could provide,” said Jones. “As a representative of a rural region, I understand from experience the importance of upkeeping our local infrastructure. The highway department manages critical equipment and ensures everyone can safely travel on our roads, especially in the colder months. That’s why I fought to secure $500,000 in funding for the reconstruction of the town of Franklin’s garage and I’ll continue working to ensure these crucial departments have the funding they need to keep our communities safe.”

The fire 2019 fire destroyed the town’s highway department garage along with four vehicles and several other pieces of equipment, and unfortunately, it was a total loss and all the town’s serviceable plow trucks were destroyed.^[1] In 2020, Assemblyman Jones met with town officials to discuss the plans for a $1.3 million garage where the town will park its trucks, plows and other vehicles.^[2] To help rebuild the town garage, Assemblyman Jones secured $500,000 in state funding.^[3]

“The funding and assistance Assemblyman Jones provided were huge,” said Jacques DeMars, Town of Franklin Highway Superintendent. “He was there for us in our time of need and went above and beyond to make sure we had the funding to make this possible. I want to thank Assemblyman Jones for his assistance and for taking the time to see our new facility.”

“Assemblyman Jones securing $500.000 in funding for the Highway Garage was a relief as we planned to rebuild after the fire,” said Dorothy Brown, Town of Franklin Supervisor. “We were able to construct a bigger and better building that our Highway Department could be proud of. I want to thank Assemblyman Jones for being our advocate and securing these funds for the Town of Franklin.”