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.

In 2021, DEC Forest Rangers conducted 426 search and rescue missions, extinguished wildfires, participated in prescribed fires that served to rejuvenate hundreds of acres of land, and worked on cases that resulted in thousands of tickets or arrests. Some of these incidents featured each week result in injuries, property damage, or even death, and starting this year, the “DEC Statewide Forest Ranger Highlights” is transitioning to a new title, “Forest Rangers – Week In Review.”

Town of Grafton
Rensselaer County
Public Outreach: On Feb. 18, Forest Ranger Jackson led a three-hour Map and Compass training session at the Capital District Sportsman Center in the town of Grafton. Nineteen people attended to learn how to read a topographical map, determine distances, plot points on a map, set an azimuth, and properly navigate using an azimuth with a compass. Students also learned how to be better prepared in the backcountry. Forest Rangers utilize these skills in search and rescue missions, wildland firefighting, and while navigating the backcountry on patrol.

Ranger Jackson leads map and compass training

Town of Lake George
Warren County
ATV Incident: On Feb. 22 at 12:30 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch requested Forest Ranger assistance for a subject stranded on the ice in the Mother Bunch Islands area of Lake George. The 52-year-old from Florida was on an ATV and struck a heave in the ice, trapping the ATV. Rangers Kabrehl, Perryman, and Quinn, and Environmental Conservation Police Officer (ECO) LaPoint responded on an airboat. With 50-degree temperatures and rain, the ice was not safe for a snowmobile or ATV. Rangers brought the subject to safety and worked with ECO LaPoint to attempt to remove the ATV. The ATV was stuck too deep in the ice, so the responders attached ice buoys and a floating marker so they could return later when conditions were better to retrieve the machine.

ATV stuck in ice

Rangers and ECO work to remove ATV from ice

Town of Indian Lake
Hamilton County
Wildland Rescue: On Feb. 22 at 6:30 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch requested Forest Ranger assistance after getting a 911 call from a skier who reported suffering a leg injury at the Griffin Brook Slide on Snowy Mountain, approximately one mile into the woods. Forest Ranger Scott responded to the scene with the Indian Lake Fire Department. The 36-year-old from Hamilton had hit a frozen branch under the fresh powder and broke his femur. Ranger Scott took a snowmobile up the unmarked trail and snowshoed the rest of the way, reaching the skier by 8:42 p.m. In addition to the broken femur, the skier was suffering from mild hypothermia and the onset of frostbite. Ranger Scott stabilized the injury and warmed the subject using heat packs and sleeping bags, and worked with the Indian Lake Fire Department to package the skier in an insulated vapor barrier and sled. Once they reached the road, the subject was turned over to Indian Lake EMS for transport to Glens Falls Hospital. Resources were clear at 10:54 p.m.

Rangers rescue skier with broken femur

Town of Hope
Hamilton County
Flood Response: On Feb. 24 at 10:55 a.m., Forest Rangers Scott and Lomnitzer returned to River Road in the town of Hope to help evacuate residents stranded due to flooding. Similar to last week, an ice jam blocking the Sacandaga River broke, causing an increase in water downstream and flooding multiple homes. Using a boat, Rangers Scott and Lomnitzer rescued four individuals and one dog. In addition, the Hamilton County Department of Emergency Services conducted welfare checks in the area.

Rangers Scott and Lomnitzer rescue residents in the town of Hope

Ranger Lomnitzer helps rescue residents in the town of Hope

Town of Brighton
Franklin County
Training: On Feb. 24 and 25, Forest Rangers from Region 5 participated in Wilderness First Responder training offered by Wilderness Medical Associates at the Paul Smith’s Visitor Interpretive Center. Rangers focused on assessing and treating hypothermia, something encountered often during the winter months in the backcountry.

Ranger Balerno assessing a “patient” with an injured leg

Town of Brighton
Franklin County
Snowmobile Enforcement: On Feb. 25, Forest Rangers from Region 5 patrolled Franklin County snowmobile trails. The Rangers interacted with approximately 70 snowmobiles; one was ticketed. Rangers utilized radar to ensure riders were within the speed limits for the trails. Snowmobiling is one of the most popular winter activities in the North Country and Forest Rangers prioritize educating the public to help ensure compliance with important public safety requirements.

Rangers using radar to check the speed of an approaching snowmobile

Town of Greig
Lewis County
Snowmobile Accident: On Feb. 26 at 12:55 p.m., Forest Ranger Evans heard a radio call for a snowmobile accident near Catspaw Lake. Ranger Evans was patrolling in the area of Burdicks Crossing about 10 minutes away and responded to the accident. The 41-year-old from Whitesboro was thrown off his snowmobile and hit a tree, suffering head trauma, neck pain, and chest pain. The snowmobiler was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident. Lewis County Emergency Management and the Glenfield Fire Department helped backboard the subject and package him on a rescue toboggan. He was transported to Lyons Falls Ambulance, which brought him to Saint Elizabeth’s Hospital for treatment. Ranger Evans, BECI Investigator Maneeley, and the Lewis County Sheriff collected information about the incident from the scene. Resources were clear at 4:45 p.m.

Snowmobile accident in town of Greig

Town of Brighton
Franklin County
Training: On Feb.26, Forest Rangers joined Paul Smiths Gabriels Volunteer Fire Department, Bloomingdale Fire Department, Lake Placid Fire Department, and Saranac Rescue Squad to practice responses to snowmobile accidents. Each training exercise was run like an actual incident that would require additional resources. Rangers often utilize snowmobiles with a tow-behind rescue system, while fire departments use tracked vehicles to transport more people. Training sessions are crucial to prepare multiple agencies that work together to safely and effectively rescue those involved in an accident. Read more »

“The Board did not: Annually audit or obtain an audit of the Clerk’s records and reports. Based upon our audit findings and subsequent investigation, the Clerk was arrested on April 29, 2021 and charged with falsifying business records in the first degree, corrupting the government in the fourth degree and official misconduct. On December 14, 2021, the Clerk pleaded guilty to Attempted Falsifying Business Records in the second degree.”

Source: Town of Saranac – Town Clerk Operations (2019M-33) | Office of the New York State Comptroller

“The Board did not: Annually audit or obtain an audit of the Clerk’s records and reports. Based upon our audit findings and subsequent investigation, the Clerk was arrested on April 29, 2021 and charged with falsifying business records in the first degree, corrupting the government in the fourth degree and official misconduct. On December 14, 2021, the Clerk pleaded guilty to Attempted Falsifying Business Records in the second degree.”

Source: Town of Saranac – Town Clerk Operations (2019M-33) | Office of the New York State Comptroller

Source: ADK Purchased Cascade Ski Center . . . Now What? – – The Adirondack Almanack

Agenda

1. Call Meeting To Order
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Roll Call
4. MOTION: Approval of Minutes for the Special Meeting of January 28, 2022, Special Meeting of February 7, 2022 and Town Board Regular Meeting of February 14, 2022.
5. Community Input.
6. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Acceptance of the Public Environmental Benefit Contract with Northway Solar, LLC.

7. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Acceptance of the Decommissioning Plan with Northway Solar, LLC

8. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Emergency Purchase of Brentwood Industries WWTP Tank #1 – Polychem™ Chain and Flight Sludge Collection System.

9. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Acceptance of Amendment to Tedford Consulting Contract for the Sewer Upgrade Project.

10. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Reappointment of Mark Lukens to the Planning Board.

11. DISCUSSION: Elm St. Project Schedule. 

12. DISCUSSION: Youth Commission By-Laws. 

13. MOTION/DISCUSSION: Heyworth Mason Park Bell Tower Design. 

14. MOTION/DISCUSSION: Heyworth Mason Park Stage Cover 

15. DISCUSSION: Sewer Project Update. 

16. DISCUSSION: Other Business. 

17. DISCUSSION: Public Comments on Agenda Items Only. 

18. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Pay Bills. 

MOTION:     Adjourn

Source: 2022 State of the Union Address | The White House

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Source: Hudson Valley named one of the world’s greatest places by TIME magazine – newyorkupstate.com

The Peru Drama Club will present the musical Bright Star March 10th – 12th, 2022.  Bright Star features music and lyrics by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell and is presented by exclusive arrangement with Theatrical Rights Worldwide.

Source: 8-year-old Central NY boy killed in snowmobile accident – syracuse.com

“The Chicks will perform at the St. Joe’s Amp in Syracuse on June 29. Special guest Patty Griffin will open the show at 7:30 p.m.”

Source: St. Joe’s Amp adds 10th concert to 2022 lineup in Syracuse – syracuse.com

Source: Here are the places in New York where you still have to wear a mask – syracuse.com

Longtime Peru teacher, town justice, community leader passes away Source: Obituary of Carl W. Zerrahn | Hamilton Funeral Home serving Mooers,…

Source: It’s been a wild winter for the Lake Champlain ferries. Here’s why | NCPR News