The Peru Gazette

Eligible households now able to apply for funding

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Free presentations uncover the fascinating stories behind Keeseville’s history

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Today I received letters from students in Peru Central School District’s 8th grade class. They shared with me their concerns about issues they’re seeing with the environment and wildlife. I love hearing from young students about their concerns and seeing them getting involved in being a voice for change. Thank you to their teachers and parents for helping them with this assignment, and for encouraging our next generation of leaders to stand up for what they believe in.

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“It honors the day in 1865 when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, and told the last enslaved African Americans they were free, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation had been signed.”

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Warm to hot temperatures and muggy conditions will help increase the risk of isolated to scattered severe thunderstorms. The main time window will be between 2 PM and 8 PM. Storms could produce a variety of weather hazards today. After the front, gusts up to 35 mph are possible.

Aug. 20 at 2 p.m.: The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA at Chevy Court

Aug. 20 at 8 p.m.: Nate Smith at Suburban Park

Aug. 21 at 6 p.m.: Cheap Trick at Chevy Court

Aug. 21 at 8 p.m.: Steve Miller Band at Suburban Park

Aug. 22 at 1 p.m.: Lily Rose at Chevy Court

Aug. 22 at 6 p.m.: Neon Trees at Chevy Court

Aug. 22 at 8 p.m.: Jessie Murph at Suburban Park

Aug. 22 at 9 p.m.: The Lady Gaga Tribute at Chevy Coury

Aug. 23 at 1 p.m.: Kidz Bop at Chevy Court

Aug. 23 at 6 p.m.: Kameron Marlowe at Chevy Court

Aug. 23 at 8 p.m.: O.A.R. at Suburban Park

Aug. 24 at 1 p.m.: Los Lonely Boys at Chevy Court

Aug. 24 at 8 p.m.: Busta Rhymes at Suburban Park

Aug. 25 at 6 p.m.: Red Jumpsuit Apparatus at Chevy Court

Aug. 25 at 8 p.m.: 98 Degrees at Suburban Park

Aug. 26 at 1 p.m.: Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone at Chevy Court

Aug. 26 at 6 p.m.: Sister Hazel at Chevy Court

Aug. 27 at 6 p.m.: Red Hot Chilli Pipers at Chevy Court

Says Medicaid must be safeguarded from waste, fraud and abuse

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By John T Ryan

June 9, 2026 Town Board Meeting – The Senior Construction Manager at AES Northeast presented the near-term construction schedule for the wastewater treatment plant. The general contractor, Murnane Building Contractors, is set to arrive at the site on Monday, June 16, to erect signage, install electricity, and bring in trailers. Erosion control measures will follow the week of June 23. Metcalf mentioned that trucks will haul in 60,000 cubic yards of fill material and remove 10,000 cubic yards. With each dump truck carrying 20 cubic yards, this means 3,500 trucks will either enter or exit the site. Metcalf referred to the project as “trucking intensive.” The town has sent an advisory letter to residents on North Bend Street to inform them about the expected increase in traffic.

The board approved two initial payments for the wastewater plant upgrade: $28,139 to Triangle Electric and $116,850 to John Danforth & Co. The town is funding the project through both short-term and long-term borrowing.

Counselor Jim Douglass concluded that Dianne Miller’s records as Town Clerk and Tax Collector are “well-organized, with no exceptions” following his internal audit. Douglass also inquired about whether town personnel would be setting up pickleball nets at Sullivan Park, leading to a brief discussion, but no decision was reached.

Rick Barber, Chairman of the town’s America250 Committee, updated the board on plans to install a flagpole near two historical monuments at the Peru Dock.

Youth Director Kirsten Marion reported that instructors have been found for tennis and basketball. The program currently has three boys’ Peewee teams, three girls’ Peewee teams, two boys’ Grasshopper teams, two girls’ Grasshopper teams, one girls’ Pony team, and four T-Ball teams.

Assistant Highway Superintendent Tyler Jarvis reported maintenance issues with the grader and two trucks. One truck has been repaired and is back in service, but both roadside mowers are currently out of service, awaiting parts and repairs.

Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell reported that a new pickup truck arrived with issues related to its grill color. Additionally, the delivery of a plow truck ordered two years ago has been delayed because the box, front plow hitch, sander, and salt controls are still pending from the supplier. Farrell is considering changing suppliers as a result. He also indicated that tests have determined that the culverts on Fuller, Wescott, and Lyons Roads are located in wetlands, which means they require approval for replacement plans from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Furthermore, the Army Corps has yet to approve the plans for the closed Telegraph Road bridge.

Historian Helen Nerska is organizing a Peru History tour scheduled for Saturday, June 28, starting at the town hall at 10 a.m. Nerska and Chris Mullen will also host a history chat featuring members of the Peru Central Class of 1957 at the town hall on Monday, June 23.

Pam Barber has arranged the schedule for all summer concerts, which can be found on the town’s website.

The Peru Gazette expresses gratitude to Bill Baggs for videoing this meeting.

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Fundamentally change how the state’s K-12 schools are governed and funded 

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Plattsburgh Town Supervisor Michael Cashman says he has repeatedly asked for federal assistance to address the issues, but no serious action has been taken

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Murnane Construction is the project’s general contractor

Most of the fill will be dumped into thismassive wastewater lagoon. It hasn’t been used for many years.

Approximately 3,500 truckloads of fill will enter or leave the jobsite 

June 16, 2025, Peru, NY –  Murnane Construction personnel arrived today to begin installing signs related to the upgrading Peru’s wastewater treatment plant. Following this, machines and equipment storage containers will be brought to the site.  Then site preparation and construction will begin on the approximately $21 million project. 

Recently, personnel from the Water-Sewer Department delivered increased traffic notices to residents of nearby North Bend Street. Although the construction site will largely be out of sight, the dump trucks traveling to and from the site will be very noticeable. AES Northeast Engineer Michael Metcalf estimates that approximately 3,500 dump truck loads will transport around 60,000 cubic yards of fill into the site and carry out about 10,000 cubic yards of material. The truck movement will affect everyone along their travel route.  

Fundraising continues as planning for New York Road expansion continues

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Approval part of 29 infrastructure projects valued at $632M

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Peru Gazette Photo 2024 History Walk

June 28th, 10 am, Begins at Peru Town Hall, 3036 Main Street, Peru, 12972

Don’t miss our Town of Peru history walk with Helen Nerska, Christina Irwin Mullen, and Bob McGee. We will walk through downtown Peru from Main Street to Pleasant Street to Elm Street, concluding at the Heyworth/Mason Park. On the walk you will see the actual location and a large photo of the first Peru High School. Share your stories of Old Peru and hear new ones. The walk will be cancelled if it rains. Should you be unsure, call Helen at 513-582-7246 or Chris at 518-335-3639.

Plattsburgh, NY – The Valcour Battle Chapter Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) will present a reenactment of the public reading of the Declaration of Independence on Saturday, July 5, 2025, at 10:00 AM in Veterans Park on the US Oval. The centerpiece of the event will be a dramatic interpretive reading by historian John Krueger, bringing the historic document to life. Additional participants include members of the Sons of the American Legion Post 1619 and the Legion Auxiliary. scouts from the Adirondack District Twin Rivers Council of Scouting America, and scouts from the Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York. 

This free community event, held rain or shine, invites attendees of all ages to commemorate the 249th anniversary of America’s independence. The program will last approximately one hour. While limited seating is available, guests are encouraged to bring their own chairs. 

Charlie Mitchell, President of the Valcour Battle Chapter, emphasized the importance of continuing this tradition. “We are proud to bring this patriotic event to our community. Celebrating the resolution to declare independence was exactly what John Adams envisioned when he wrote to his wife Abigail on July 2, predicting that the day ‘will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival,’” said Mitchell. 

The Declaration of Independence, formally adopted on July 4, 1776, was publicly read in towns across the American colonies, spreading the monumental news to the people. This reenactment pays homage to that tradition. 

The Valcour Battle Chapter, based in Plattsburgh, represents Clinton, Essex, and Franklin counties. The Sons of the American Revolution is a nonprofit organization dedicated to historical education, patriotic observances, and preserving the legacy of those who fought for American independence. The SAR is proud to serve on the planning committee for Clinton County America’s 250th observance. In addition to celebrating the Declaration of Independence, other SAR activities throughout the year include observing George Washington’s birthday by donating a book related to American independence to a local library, supporting the DAR commemorations at Fort Chambly the 1776 Battle of Valcour on Lake Champlain, and honoring the graves of Revolutionary War soldiers through the Wreaths Across America program