The Peru Gazette

Brilliant Pathways argues New York’s Portrait of a Graduate initiative should be practiced and not just used as inspiration

Click here for the Adirondack Almanac Commentary 

Due to the winter storm, Peru Central School will be closed tomorrow, Monday, January 26, 2026.

• Buildings Closed: All school buildings are closed.
• No Activities: There will be no on-campus activities, including all after-school programs and sports.

According to police, just after 6 p.m. at the intersection of Roosevelt Highway and Coon Road, a car traveling north crossed into the southbound lane, striking the vehicle driven by Lamay

Click here for the WPTZ News story 

Correction: WPTZ contacted the Milton Fire Department and confirmed it is Wendall LeMay, Not Lamay as they originally stated. 

Peru Gazette Editor’s Comment: I suspect the same issues apply to NYSEG 

Click here for the Syracuse.com story 

Beginning 12 a.m. Sunday, All Commercial Vehicles Required to Travel Exclusively in the Right Travel Lane on All State Roads, including the New York State Thruway

At Governor Hochul’s Direction, State of Emergency Remains in Place Statewide

New Yorkers Can Sign Up for Weather and Emergency Alerts by Texting 333111

January 24, NYS News Release – Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on state preparations ahead of a massive winter storm system that has already brought bitterly cold temperatures to the entire state and is expected to bring at least a foot of snow to the majority of the state. Following the Governor’s declaration of a State of Emergency and activation of 100 members of the New York National Guard on Friday, new travel restrictions for commercial vehicles are being implemented. Beginning at 12 a.m. Sunday, all commercial vehicles will be restricted to only traveling in the right travel lane on all state roads, including the New York State Thruway. Additionally, a travel ban for Long Combination Tandem Vehicles will be in place on the New York State Thruway beginning at 6 a.m. on Sunday.

“New Yorkers know how to handle winter, but it’s critical everyone treat this weather like the dangerous situation it is,” Governor Hochul said. “From bitterly cold temperatures to heavy snowfall that will create treacherous travel conditions, there is no shortage of risks to being outside or traveling during the next few days, so I am urging everyone to be smart and stay home, stay warm, and stay safe.”

The storm is expected to begin impacting the southernmost portions of the state in the early morning hours and then progressively move north to cover the entire state by late morning and early afternoon hours. It is expected to continue until Monday afternoon, with everywhere north of New York City expected to see between 12 and 18 inches of snow, except for Western New York and the northernmost portions of the North Country which may only see 8 to 12 inches of snow. Beginning Sunday evening, there is a chance that snow may transition into sleet in New York City and on Long Island which has slightly decreased the projected snow totals in those areas to the 8-to-12-inch range. Peak wind gusts could reach 35+miles per hour in these downstate areas as well, which will increase the potential for some blowing snow and whiteout conditions, adding to the already treacherous travel conditions expected throughout the duration of the storm.

To support Downstate response operations and local partners, Governor Hochul activated 100 service members of the New York National Guard with 24 vehicles on Friday. Beginning Saturday, they will be staged and ready to help local partners across New York City, Long Island, and the Lower Hudson Valley.

Additionally, as part of the State of Emergency declared by the Governor on Friday, early voting for February 3rd special elections in New York City will be suspended on Sunday, January 25 and Monday, January 26. The State is working with the New York City Board of Elections to extend hours through the remainder of the early voting period to account for the suspended hours.

In addition to preparing for snow and wind, New Yorkers should also prepare to protect against the dangers that can result from colder weather and winter activities. Under state regulation, a Code Blue is automatically in effect whenever the temperature and wind chill equal less than 32 degrees. Local social services districts are legally required to take necessary steps to ensure those experiencing homelessness have access to shelter and that shelter hours are extended. New Yorkers also should check out these cold weather tips from the Department of Health; additional tips for preventing frostbite and hypothermia; information on Carbon Monoxide poisoning; information on the proper use of generators; and safe winter driving tips.

The New York State Department of Labor advises workers and employers to engage in extreme cold weather best practices such as:

• Limit outdoor work, provide frequent breaks in warm areas and schedule outdoor work during the warmest times of the day.
• Ensure access to clean drinking water.
• Stay hydrated with warm beverages and avoid drinking caffeine.
• Wear proper PPE, including at least three layers of clothing, gloves or mittens, thick socks, insulated footwear and a hat, hood or hard hat liner.

View more information on best practices for working in cold weather.

Extreme Cold Watches, Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories have been issued, and New Yorkers should closely monitor their local forecasts and look for updates issued by the National Weather Service. For a complete listing of weather alerts, visit the National Weather Service website.

New Yorkers should also ensure that government emergency alerts are enabled on their mobile phones. They should also sign up for real-time weather and emergency alerts that will be texted to their phones by texting their county or borough name to 333111.

Agency Preparations

Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services
The Division’s Office of Emergency Management is in contact with its local counterparts and is prepared to facilitate any local requests for assistance. State stockpiles are ready to deploy emergency response assets and supplies as needed. The State Emergency Operations Center will be activated beginning Saturday night and the State Watch Center, New York’s 24/7 alert and warning hub, is monitoring the storm track and statewide impacts closely. The State Fire Operations Center has also been activated.

Department of Transportation
Beginning at midnight tonight, all commercial vehicles will be required to travel exclusively in the right travel lane on all state roads across New York, including the New York State Thruway. Ongoing coordination is continuing with New York State Police, the Thruway Authority, and adjacent states with their own travel restrictions in place.

Regional crews in impacted areas are currently engaged in snow and ice operations and preparations. All residency locations will remain staffed 24/7 throughout the duration of the event and priority cleanup operations. Fleet mechanics in affected areas will be staffing all main residency locations 24/7 to perform repairs and keep trucks on the road.

Nearly 3,700 supervisors and operators are available statewide and are prepared to respond. Staffing in most-affected regions is broken down as follows:

• Mid-Hudson: 558 supervisors and operators
• Long Island: 382 supervisors and operators

Staff can be configured into any type of response crew that is needed (plow, drainage, chipper, load & haul, cut & toss, etc.). 75 Incident Command System personnel are available to support the ICS response to this event.

To support response activities in critical areas, a total of 90 staff, including 72 plow truck operators, 4 supervisors, 6 equipment operator instructors, 2 safety representatives and 6 service technicians; and 2 snow blowers are being deployed. They will be deployed as follows:

• Capital Region

-Receiving 2 equipment operator instructors from the Finger Lakes

• Mid-Hudson

-Receiving 1 safety representative the Finger Lakes

-Receiving 12 operators and 4 equipment operator instructors from Western NY

-Receiving 8 operators from the Western So. Tier

-Receiving 1 safety representative from the North Country

• Long Island

-Receiving 8 operators, 1 service technician, and 1 snow blower from the Capital Region

-Receiving 14 operators, 1 service technician, and 1 snow blower from the Mohawk Valley

-Receiving 8 operators, 1 supervisor, and 2 service technicians from Central NY

-Receiving 6 operators from the Finger Lakes

-Receiving 10 operators and 2 supervisors from the North Country

-Receiving 6 operators, 1 supervisor, and 2 service technicians from the Eastern So. Tier

All staff are currently in travel mode and will be in place by Saturday evening. The need for additional resources (operators, trucks, mechanics, equipment operator instructors) will be constantly re-evaluated as conditions warrant throughout the event.

All available snow and ice equipment is ready to deploy. Statewide equipment numbers are as follows:

• 1629 large plow trucks (Mid-Hudson: 254, Long Island: 248)
• 149 medium duty plows (Mid-Hudson: 33, Long Island: 17)
• 53 tow plows (Mid-Hudson: 4, Long Island: 1)
• 336 large loaders (Mid-Hudson: 51, Long Island: 36)
• 37 snow blowers (Mid-Hudson: 1, Long Island: 1)

Adequate salt is on hand. Parks and DEC have identified a total of 10 crews to be available for cut and toss missions, if needed. Two Crews will be available in each of the following locations: Southern Tier, Central NY, Capital District, Mid-Hudson, and Long Island. All crews will be on standby starting at noon on Sunday and will remain on standby through COB Tuesday.

Generator stockpiles are being readied to support dark signals. An additional 40 generators are available to support possible needs on Long Island. Additionally, the Department is repositioning a trailer with 25 generators from the Capital Region to the Hudson Valley Region for additional support should it be needed for supporting dark signals. New Yorkers are reminded to treat dark traffic signals as an all-way stop.

Tow services will be provided in the following locations: US 20 (Madison), I-81 (Onondaga), I-390 (Steuben), I-86 (Chemung), NY 36 (Steuben), I-86 (Tioga), I-84 (Putnam), I-84 (Orange), I-684 (Putnam), I-81 (Broome), I-88 (Broome), NY 17 (Broome), I-86 (Broome), NY 206 (Delaware), NY 28 (Delaware), I-495 (Nassau – multiple), and I-495 (Suffolk – multiple). The need for additional tow trucks will be evaluated as the event develops. Additionally, HELP truck beats will be extended in impacted areas.

Department staff is available to support County EOCs as needed for Incident Command System support.

Weather related messages on variable message signs began on Saturday morning in all impacted locations. Messaging will also be used to support real time incidents and vehicle restrictions throughout the event.

For real-time travel information, motorists should call 511 or visit www.511ny.org/, New York State’s official traffic and travel information source.

The need for additional resources will be re-evaluated as conditions warrant throughout the event. For real-time travel information, motorists should call 511 or visit www.511ny.org/, New York State’s official traffic and travel information source.

Thruway Authority
A right lane only restriction on all commercial vehicles will go into effect at 12 a.m. Sunday, January 25 on all state highways including the Thruway system.

Additionally, all Long Combination Tandems (LCV) vehicles will be banned from traveling on the entire Thruway System, including I-87, I-90, I-287, I-190, and the Berkshire Spur, beginning at 6 a.m., Sunday, January 25.

The Thruway Authority is ready to respond with 685 operators and supervisors available.Statewide equipment numbers and resources are listed below:

• 333 large and medium duty plow trucks
• 11 tow plows
• 62 loaders
• 114,000+ tons of salt on hand

Variable Message Signs and social media (X and Facebook) are utilized to alert motorists of winter weather conditions on the Thruway. Read more »

The workers, who typically process applications and check for immigration fraud, have not performed ICE enforcement work before, a USCIS employee said.

Click here for the VTDigger story 

Click here for the VTDigger story 

Uihlein Maple Research Forest Director Adam Wild developed a DIY maple sap chilling system to keep sap fresh

Click here for the Adirondack Explorer story 

Click here for the Adirondack Explorer story 

Hearing is now scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. on Feb. 25 in Ray Brook

Click here for the Adirondack Explorer story 

The 41-year-old restaurant closed in 2022. When its downtown home became vacant, former owner David Melincoff decided to bring it back with new partners.

Click here for the Seven Days story 

Click here for the NCPR story 

1. Call Meeting to Order

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Roll Call

4. MOTION: Approval of Minutes for the Regular Meeting of January 12, 2026 and 2026 Organizational Meeting of January 12, 2026

5. Community Input. 

6. DISCUSSION:   Engineering Update on Telegraph Road Over Dry Mill Brook.

7. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Possible Award to Lowest Bidder on the Telegraph Road        Over Dry Mill Brook Culvert Replacement Project.

8. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Approval 2026 Peru Free Library Contract.

9. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Approval of Adirondack Park Local Gov’t Review Board Agreement.

10. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Approval to Sell the Jenkins St. Property.

11. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Approval to Close All Former Judge Kiby’s Bank Accounts.

12. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Hiring of Code Enforcement Officer.

13. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Approval of Murnane Bldg. Contractors Change Order Directive GC-CD.06.

14. DISCUSSION: Other Business. – Councilmen

15. DISCUSSION: Other Business. – Dept. Heads 

16. DISCUSSION:  Public Comments on Agenda Items Only.

17. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Pay Bills – December 2025

18. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Pay Bills – January 2026

19. MOTION:  Adjourn to Executive Session.

20. MOTION:  Return from Executive Session. 

21. MOTION:  Adjourn.

Extreme Cold Watches in Effect from 7 p.m. Friday to 1 p.m. Saturday for the North Country; Feels-Like Temperatures as Low as Negative 50 Degrees Possible Friday Night and Negative 30 Degrees Saturday Night

New Yorkers Can Sign Up for Weather and Emergency Alerts by Texting 333111

NYS News Release of Jan. 23, 2026 – Governor Kathy Hochul today issued a State of Emergency ahead of extreme cold and a massive winter storm set to impact areas statewide this weekend. Extreme cold moves in Friday night, with statewide feels-like temperatures in the negatives Friday and Saturday night. Sunday morning, a large winter storm will begin to impact the state and continue until Monday, with New York City, Long Island, theHudson Valley, the Capital Region, Southern Tier, Mohawk Valley, lower North Country and parts of Central New York seeing the potential for 12 to 18 inches of snow. Western New York and the upper North Country will see snowfall totals of six to 12 inches. 

“Winter in New York is nothing we can’t handle, but it is important to take the risks that come with extreme cold seriously,” Governor Hochul said. “New Yorkers should avoid travel during the snow, especially with the danger that comes with being stranded in these cold temperatures. If you must travel, be sure to leave yourself extra travel time and pack your car with supplies like blankets, water, and snacks. Safety is always the top priority, so make sure you are ready to face this storm.” 

Snowfall rates of up to two inches or more per hour are possible in the heaviest snow bands, which will reduce visibility on roadways. New Yorkers should avoid travel during the snow, as the combination of dangerous driving conditions and extreme cold will be a huge risk.

As part of the issued State of Emergency, Governor Hochul has also announced the suspension of early voting for February 3rd special elections in New York City on Sunday, January 25 and Monday, January 26. The State is working with the New York City Board of Elections to extend hours through the remainder of the early voting period to account for the suspended hours.

In addition to preparing for snow and wind, New Yorkers should also prepare to protect against the dangers that can result from colder weather and winter activities. Under state regulation, a Code Blue is automatically in effect whenever the temperature and wind chill equal less than 32 degrees. Local social services districts are legally required to take necessary steps to ensure those experiencing homelessness have access to shelter and that shelter hours are extended. New Yorkers also should check out these cold weather tips from the Department of Health; additional tips for preventing frostbite and hypothermia; information on Carbon Monoxide poisoning; information on the proper use of generators; and safe winter driving tips. 

The New York State Department of Labor advises workers and employers to engage in extreme cold weather best practices such as:

• Limit outdoor work, provide frequent breaks in warm areas and schedule outdoor work during the warmest times of the day.
• Ensure access to clean drinking water.
• Stay hydrated with warm beverages and avoid drinking caffeine.
• Wear proper PPE, including at least three layers of clothing, gloves or mittens, thick socks, insulated footwear and a hat, hood or hard hat liner.

View more information on best practices for working in cold weather. 

Extreme Cold Watches, Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories have been issued, and New Yorkers should closely monitor their local forecasts and look for updates issued by the National Weather Service. For a complete listing of weather alerts, visit the National Weather Service website. 

New Yorkers should also ensure that government emergency alerts are enabled on their mobile phones. They should also sign up for real-time weather and emergency alerts that will be texted to their phones by texting their county or borough name to 333111.

Support North Country’s Health, Wellbeing  

Plattsburgh, NY – Donating at an Adirondack Blood Center community drive or at the Donor Center helps support the health and wellbeing of the community. Each unit of donated blood can benefit up to three patients at Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital, Alice Hyde Medical Center in Malone, Elizabethtown Community Hospital (including Ticonderoga) and the Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake.

The Blood Center offers multiple opportunities to make a difference:

• Tuesday, Feb. 3, Malone Callfiremen, 37 Finney Ave., Malone, 2 to 6 pm
• Wednesday, Feb. 4, PSUC Angell Center, 46 Rugar St., 11 am to 3:30 pm
• Friday, Feb. 6, Clinton County ARC, West Side Ballroom, 253 New York Rd., 9 am to 1 pm
• Tuesday, Feb. 10, Chateaugay American Legion, 80 West Main St., Chateaugay, 4 to 7 pm
• Wednesday, Feb. 11, Clinton Community College, Moore Building, Beekman Street, 11 am to 2:30 pm
• Thursday, Feb. 12, Holy Name Church Hall, hosted by Knights of Columbus, 10 Church Lane, Ausable Forks, 4 – 7 pm
• Friday, Feb. 13, Medisca, 626 Tom Miller Road, 1 to 4 pm
• Monday, Feb. 16, CVPH, Auditoriums A+B, 75 Beekman St., 10 am to 2pm
• Tuesday, Feb. 17, Bloomingdale Fire Department, 1640 Route 3, Bloomingdale, 3:30 to 6:30 pm
• Wednesday, Feb. 18, BHSN, 2155 Route 22B, Morrisonville, 2 to 5 pm
• Thursday, Feb. 19, Cumberland 12 Cinemas, 18 North Bowl Lane, 4 to 8 pm
• Friday, Feb. 20, Dodge Memorial Library, 144 Lake St., Rouses Point, 11 am to 2 pm
• Monday, Feb. 23, Essex Fire Department, Rt. 22W Box 58, Essex, co-sponsored by Masonic Lodge, 4 to 7 pm
• Tuesday, Feb. 24, Janes Fight, Rainbow Banquet Hall, 47 Woods Falls Rd., Altona, 4 to 7 pm
• Wednesday, Feb. 25, New York State Police Barracks, 9 Dunning Way, 7 to 10 am
• Friday, Feb. 27, Plattsburgh VA Clinic, 5180 North Catherine St., 1 to 4 pm

The Donor Center, located at 85 Plaza Blvd., is open Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4 pm.

Blood donors must be at least 16 years-old (16- and 17-year-old donors must have written parental/guardian consent), in general good health and weigh at least 110 lbs. A screening questionnaire addressing personal medical, social and travel history is completed prior to donating and a donor card or another form of valid identification is also required. Donors must wait 56 days between donations.

Learn more about the Adirondack Blood Center, giving blood and becoming a sponsor at UVMHealth.org/GiveBlood or call 518-562-7406.

The Peru Central School District is officially seeking candidates to fill two (2) at-large seats on the Board of Education. These vacancies result from the upcoming term expiration of Mr. Mark Hamilton and the resignation of Ms. Sarah Mitchell, which is currently filled by Mr. Steven Peters.

District residents interested in serving the community are invited to run for the following positions:

• A three-year term beginning July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2029.

• A two-year term to complete a vacated seat, beginning July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2028.

The elected candidate who receives the most votes will be granted the three-year term.

The Petition for Nomination of Candidate form is available in the District Office at 17 School Street on Mondays through Fridays, except on school holidays, or via BoardDocs on the District’s website. Petitions must be directed to the School District Clerk, shall be signed by at least twenty-five (25) qualified voters of the District, and shall state the names and residences of the candidate and petition signers. The candidate’s phone number shall also be stated.

The qualifications that must be met to run for the school board are:

• A U.S. citizen

• At least 18 years old

• A qualified voter in the District

• Able to read and write

• A resident of the District continuously for one year before the election

• Cannot be employed by the Board

• Cannot live in the same household as a family member who is also a member of the Board

Petitions must be returned no later than 5:00 PM on Monday, April 20, 2026.

The School Board Election will be held on Tuesday, May 19, 2026.

Click here for the WPTZ news story 

L-R Megan Charland and Elsa Koop-Angelicola Gallery Manager & Associate Curator

Megan Charland

Megan, An Executive Director fills many roles

By John T Ryan 

Plattsburgh – When Megan Charland graduated from Peru High School in 2004, she didn’t think she would ultimately live in her beloved North County. How would someone who wanted a career in art and photography ever earn a living in this area? Well, Megan Charland is back as Executive Director of the Strand Center for the Arts, responsible for operations at both the Strand Center Theater and the adjacent Arts Center.  

At Peru Central, Megan was captain of the volleyball team and an active member of the Key Club, but she spent many hours in the school’s photography darkroom. Meagan recalls, “Digital photography was just coming on the scene. My art teacher, Lynn Manning, taught us all about Adobe Photoshop, so when I got to college, I had a head start over several of my fellow students. She was a big help to me.” 

Meagan went on to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in professional photography and illustration from Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and a Master of Fine Arts Degree in Visual Studies and a Graduate Certification in Arts Administration at SUNY Brockport.

While attending RIT, she interned at the Rochester Contemporary Art Center. She recalls,”When I saw what the gallery’s executive director did, I said to myself, ‘That’s what I want to do someday.'” After graduate school, she gained valuable experience at the Rochester Contemporary Arts Center and later at the Strong National Museum of Play. She has been an adjunct professor at SUNY Brockport, Robert Wesleyan University, and SUNY Plattsburgh. 

Megan is aware that the Strand is important to our region. She explained, “Nothing brings people together like art. You show up at the theater, you’re surrounded by 700 others having fun. Where else in the North Country can you have that kind of experience?” The Strand’s many art classes, school field trips, community studios, youth programs, its Art and Fall Fests, and artisan markets have become part of North Country life. Institutions like CVPH Medical Center highlight the Strand’s presence when they try to attract talent to our region. Megan commented, “We’re also an economic driver. Downtown restaurants often fill up on tribute band nights. They call us to see how ticket sales are going.”  

In 2025, the Strand Center for the Arts celebrated its 25th Anniversary and  enjoys great community support. Megan Charland loves being part of that success. As she says, “I can’t imagine doing anything else.” And she’s doing it right here in her beloved North Country. 

Photos Provided 

Rideshare Company Faces Wave of Sexual Assault Allegations and Lawsuits

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli has filed a shareholder proposal, on behalf of The New York State Common Retirement Fund*, that calls on Uber to publish a report explaining how it is addressing incidents of riders being sexually harassed and assaulted.

“For Uber to succeed, its users need to feel safe and not have a shred of doubt about using the service,” DiNapoli said. “The company should increase transparency about what it’s doing to protect riders from these horrifying incidents. Being open about the steps it’s taking is key to restoring customers’ trust and protecting the company’s reputation and value.”

As DiNapoli’s shareholder proposal details, published reports have revealed that Uber received a report of sexual assault or misconduct in the U.S. nearly every eight minutes from 2017 to 2022, or more than 400,000 reported incidents.

The unprecedented wave of reported incidents has led to thousands of individual cases in state and federal courts alleging Uber did not have safety measures to protect riders against sexual misconduct. It has also spurred investigations by the House Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology and Government Innovation and the Attorney General of New Jersey.

* The state’s pension fund holds shares in Uber with an approximate value of $240 million.

Shareholder Proposal
NYS Common Retirement Fund Shareholder Proposal at Uber Technologies

Click here for the New York Focus story 

Click here for the New York focus story 

This is an OUTSTANDING in-depth story 

Click here for he NCPR story 

DEC Virtual Webinars Focus on PFAS Rural Background Study, Treatment of Landfill Leachate, Wastewater Treatment Guidance, Sampling of PFAS in Biosolids, Drinking Water Cleanup Policy

DEC News Release of Jan. 21, 2026 – The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is hosting a virtual meeting series about ongoing actions and efforts to protect, educate, and assist New York communities in addressing the ubiquitous threat of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The webinars will focus on the PFAS Rural Background Study, treatment of landfill leachate, wastewater treatment guidance, sampling of PFAS in biosolids, and drinking water policy.

“Governor Kathy Hochul’s State of the State outlined a number of key priorities for protecting New York’s environment, including the development of new regulations to address PFAS contamination and protect New York communities,” DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton said. “Public input is critical to the success of the State’s ongoing progress, and we encourage New Yorkers to participate in upcoming opportunities to help guide these important efforts forward.”

Governor Kathy Hochul’s 2026 State of the State directed DEC to develop draft regulations to instruct landfills to treat leachate for harmful contaminants at the source before discharge and provide funding for local governments to comply (more information is available on page 65 (PDF)). Development of regulations to treat landfill leachate at the source will better protect the environment, drinking water sources, and save taxpayers millions in future cleanup costs. DEC is drafting regulations that will instruct landfills to treat leachate for harmful contaminants at the source before discharge to wastewater treatment plants and will provide funding for local governments to comply. Information sessions specifically about the leachate initiative are scheduled for January 27 and February 11, 2026.

In December, DEC issued a suite of significant new actions and helpful resources to protect, educate, and assist New York communities in addressing the ubiquitous threat of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination. This includes a new progress report detailing New York State’s leadership in addressing PFAS; released a new study detailing the widespread presence of PFAS on the landscape; finalized important wastewater treatment plant guidance that protects drinking water and other surface waters; proposed new policies directing DEC’s actions in PFAS investigations and sampling of biosolids products; and launched a new webpage – dec.ny.gov/pfas – that provides a one-stop resource about these and other initiatives and information about DEC’s multifaceted efforts to address PFAS. These topics and the leachate initiative will be addressed at the January 29 information session being held in cooperation with the State Department of Health.

DEC is also hosting a virtual webinar on February 4 outlining the rulemaking process to draft a proposal regulating PFAS in recycled biosolids to determine the long-term management processes and standards related to biosolids-derived soil amendments.

Details and registration for each meeting are below.

Webinars on the Proposed Rulemaking for Regulating Treatment of Landfill Leachate

• Meeting 1: Tuesday, January 27, 2026, 2:30 p.m.

Register link: https://meetny-gov.webex.com/weblink/register/r75ed2c65eaa3f98037aefded9882e277

• Meeting 2: Wednesday, February 11, 2026, 2 p.m.

Register link: https://meetny-gov.webex.com/weblink/register/r738c493493f7d3679839ab0ba19c00da

Additional details are available on DEC’s website.

Virtual Public Information Session: A Decade of Progress on PFAS and Beyond

• Thursday, January 29, 2026, 2 p.m.

Register link: https://meetny-gov.webex.com/weblink/register/r20355ef90ac66aa2a2d2b2b275ee2e6a

Additional information on the proposals to be discussed is available at www.dec.ny.gov/PFAS.

Webinar on PFAS in Biosolids: PFAS in Biosolids – NYS Regulatory Update Stakeholder Meeting

• Wednesday, February 4, 2026, 1 p.m.

Register link: https://meetny-gov.webex.com/weblink/register/rbc264c83f1a67d9016bec97d84821560

Additional details are available on DEC’s website.

Accessibility for Virtual Meetings

Language interpretation services shall be made available to persons with limited English proficiency, including American Sign Language, at no cost. Requests must be received 10 calendar days before the meeting, but DEC will make every effort to fulfill requests received closer to the hearing date. Requests can be directed to DEC’s Division of Communication, Education, and Engagement by mail (address: NYSDEC, 625 Broadway, Albany, New York 12233-4500), e-mail (language@dec.ny.gov), or phone (518) 402-8028.