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More About The Peru Gazette

The editor is John Ryan at email: perugazette@gmail.com. The Peru Gazette is a free community, education and information website. It is non-commercial and does not accept paid advertising.

Comment Policy

The Peru Gazette welcomes comments on posted stories. The author MUST include his/her first and last name. No  foul or libelous language permitted. The Peru Gazette reserves the right to not publish a comment.

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AGENDA Planning Board, Wednesday, December 10, 2025 @ 6:00 PM TOWN OF PERU

  1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
  2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
  3. ROLL CALL
  4. APPROVAL November 2025 minutes
  5. OPEN FLOOR to public hearing
  6. APPLICATIONS:
  7. P2025-019  Site Plan Review-Sign, Americu Credit Union, 700 Bear Swamp Rd. 280.-1-31.2
  1. P2025-021  Site Plan Review-Sign, Eric Duquette, 327 Route 22B, 268.-1-40.2
  1. P2025-109 2-Lot Minor Subdivision, Donald and Linda  Covel, 842 Mannix Rd. 267.-1-13.1
  1. ELECTIONS
  2. ANY FURTHER BUSINESS
  3. CEO REPORT
  4. ADJOURNMENT

Champlain Valley Voices announce “Great Hits” concert

The Champlain Valley Voices will be performing “Choral Music’s Greatest Hits!” on Sunday, December 14th with performances at 2pm and 6pm at the United Methodist Church in Plattsburgh.

The theme for our concert is “Choral Music’s Greatest Hits!”, meaning we will be performing best known choral works from various genres and style periods.  The 2pm and 6pm concerts comprise a collection of “must hear” choral works from Bach, Vivaldi, Mozart, Brahms, Fauré and Orff – just to name a few.  The pieces will feature brass, strings, piano and organ accompaniment and will also include sacred Christmas selections.  This is a celebration of the greatest works in the choral music realm and these pieces will certainly be recognizable and memorable for audience members.  Whether you choose to attend the 2pm or 6pm performance – this is a concert not to be missed.

Jim Douglass will light Christmas Tree, Friday at 5:30

The Town of Peru will hold its Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on Friday, December 5, at 5:30 p.m. at the Little Ausable River Park Gazebo. Retiring Town Board Member Jim Douglass will have the honor of lighting the tree this year. Let’s have a bug-out to see the tree and thank Jim for his many years of faithful, competent service to our community.

December 2024 photo

North Country At Work: Farming in harmony with nature in Owls Head

Click here for the NCPR story 

Health Care Sticker Shock Coming for 450,000 New Yorkers

Federal budget cuts will force hundreds of thousands off New York’s free Essential Plan, with some families facing $10,000 annual premium increases.

Click here for the New York Focus story 

Traditional Christmas Craft Fair, Sat. Dec. 6 at St. Augustine’s Parish Center

North Country Community College launches celebrations for first-generation students across three campuses

Events held at Malone, Saranac Lake and Ticonderoga campuses

Click here for the Adirondack Almanac story 

St. Augustine’s Community Meal Menu for Wednesday, December 3, 2025

Amish Harvest Stew 

Salad 

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!

Babbie Museum’s 4th Annual Holiday Bazaar

Saturday, December 6th from 9am to 4pm

Celebrate the season and support local artisans at our festive Holiday Bazaar! Whether you are searching for a one-of-a-kind gift or simply want to enjoy the holiday spirit, this event is the perfect way to kick off December.
• Unique hand-forged items from the Museum’s blacksmith shop
• Handmade crafts, jewelry, vintage treasures and books
• Intuitive readings
• A festive Christmas table and delicious baked goods
• Free coffee and hot cocoa to warm your visit!
Babbie Museum Main Building
250 River Road, Peru, NY
Admission: $1.00 OR donation of canned goods to support our local food banks

Rescuing Dammit, the hard-luck loon

Dammit, a loon on her way south for the winter, was stuck with significant wounds and infection, that is, until a team of rehabilitation experts found her

Click here for the uplifting Adirondack story

Clinton Community College Foundation Announces Maureen Moll: Excellence in Community Theatre Award

Neil Battinelli (L) and Clinton Community College Vice President of Institutional Advancement Steve Frederick

Clinton Community College Vice President of Institutional Advancement Steve Frederick and Jason Borrie ’99

PLATTSBURGH — The Clinton Community College Foundation has announced the recipients of the Maureen Moll: Excellence in Community Theatre Award, honoring individuals who exemplify the spirit and dedication of Maureen Moll, a leader in local performing arts whose influence spanned nearly five decades.

Moll believed in the transformative power of community theatre and how it brings people together to create, perform and celebrate the arts. From 1965 to 2013, her leadership and passion shaped countless productions, fostering friendships and building a vibrant cultural legacy that continues today.
In 2012, members of Plattsburgh Little Theatre, including William D. Laundry, Frederick G. Smith, Judith Heintz, Vicky Sloan and Lee Ann Thomas, entrusted Clinton Community College Foundation with funds to preserve Moll’s legacy. Clinton was a natural choice, given its longstanding collaboration with local theatre groups, including Plattsburgh Little Theatre, Adirondack Regional Theatre and Artistry Community Theatre.
This year’s award celebrates two outstanding contributors to the arts:
The Maureen Moll Award links a rich history of community performance, from the Plattsburgh Airbase in 1965 to today’s thriving theatre organizations and celebrates the enduring impact of live theatre on our region.
“Community theatre thrives because of people like Maureen Moll, who believed that creativity brings people together,” said Clinton Community College Vice President of Institutional Advancement Steve Frederick. “We are proud to celebrate her legacy and the invaluable contributions of Neil and Jason in our community.”
For more information about the Clinton Community College Foundation, visit www.clinton.edu/alumni-and-foundation.

Plattsburgh resident and movie lover brings his own ‘Blockbuster’ to small neighborhood

Clcik here for the WPTZ News story 

What’s going on in Loon Lake?

Loon Lake residents sue APA, companies over alleged subdivision site clearing

Click here for the Adirondack Explorer story 

Town Board and Supervisor freeze their salaries; budget will exceed cap by about $150,000

Peru, NY, November 24, 2025 – On Wednesday, November 19, the Peru Town Board held a Special Meeting aimed at approving the final budget for 2026. Instead, the board, including the supervisor, voted to forgo their planned 3% salary increase. Although this decision is largely symbolic in the context of the town’s $2 million General Budget, the board wanted to convey a message of solidarity with taxpayers. In 2026, Town Board members will receive $9,639, while the Town Supervisor will earn $34,020.

Supervisor Craig Randall noted that the Final Budget will exceed the state-mandated 2% tax cap by approximately $150,000, mainly due to rising health insurance costs, increases in retirement fund contributions, difficulty in forecasting sales tax revenues, and necessary culvert repairs. Property owners in the water and sewer district will experience a slight tax decrease, as the town completed payment on a long-term bond this year. However, this reduction is expected to be temporary due to ongoing upgrades at both the wastewater treatment plant and planned upgrades at the water treatment plant.

The General Budget encompasses various expenses, including payments for the town board and supervisor, administrative support, the town clerk/tax collector, codes and zoning, youth programs, parks, town library, town court, and the highway superintendent’s, deputy superintendent’s  salaries and more. The operating expenses for the Highway Department are accounted for in the highway department budget.

The tax rates for 2026 are as follows:
– Town General: $1.69/M, compared to $1.43/M in 2025.
– Town Highway: $1.80/M, compared to $1.73/M in 2025.
– Town Water #1, #2, #3: $0.86/M, compared to $1.03/M in 2025.
– Town Sewer #1: $1.54/M, compared to $1.97/M in 2025.

Although tax rates are steady or even lower, this can be misleading given the historical increases in assessed property values. The total taxable value of property in Peru rose from $641,811,736 last year to $662,288,572, reflecting an increase of about $20.5 million. The General Budget anticipates $1.2 million in property taxes, while the Highway Budget expects $1.297 million.

The board approved two minor budget changes at its November 24 meeting. They will be detailed in the Peru Gazette’s meeting story.

11/24/25 9:30 P.M. The Gazette described the General Budget in greater detail. 

Click here to view a previous Peru Gazette story on the 2026 budget. It includes a link to the full Preliminary Budget which differs little from the Final Budget. 

 

Agenda – Peru Town Board Meeting of November 24, 2025 at 6 p.m.

1. Call Meeting to Order

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Roll Call

4. MOTION: Approval of Minutes for the Regular Meeting of November 10, 2025 and Public Hearing of November 19, 2025.

5. Community Input.

6. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Approval of Filing of TE-9a or Speed Reduction Form on Fox

Farm Rd.

7. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Amend Resolution for JCAP Grant Request Amount.

8. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Approve Payment to Resident for Damages Due to Plugged

Sewer Manhole Issue.

9. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Approval of Compensating Town Justice Scott Thurber for

Covering Judge Kirby’s Court.

10. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: 202-b Order for the Peru Water Treatment Facilities Upgrade.

11. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Bond Resolution for the Peru Water Treatment Facilities

Upgrade.

12. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Hiring of Brooks Investigations LLC for Court Security.

13. DISCUSSION: Telegraph Road Over Dry Mill Brook Culvert Project Engineering Update.

14. DISCUSSION: Other Business, Town Council.

15. DISCUSSION: Other Business, Dept. Heads.

16. DISCUSSION: Public Comments on Agenda Items Only.

17. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Pay Bills – November 2025

18. MOTION: Adjourn to Executive Session.

19. MOTION: Return from Executive Session.

20. MOTION: Adjourn.

COMMENTARY: Why start an innovation-based company in the Adirondacks?

Lisa Pent, founder of PentEdge, a technology-based financial advising company, advocates for establishing similar businesses in the Adirondacks

Click here for the Adirondack Explore story 

Do local economies benefit when New York State buys Adirondack land?

Click here for this in-depth Adirondack Explorer story 

Plattsburgh appoints Kostyk to replace Cashman as town supervisor

Click here for the NCPR story 

Yes, seeds planted by drones to take root and prosper

Peru, November 23, 2025 –  On September 22, 2025, The Gazette posted a video and story describing Adirondack Farms’ use of drones to plant winter rye seeds in the midst of its corn fields. The rye is prospering as you’ll see in this November 22 video. It poked through the soil several weeks ago. Click here to view the YouTube Video.

Here’s the September 22 story.

By John T Ryan

“What in the world is happening?” I asked myself this morning as I approached a pickup truck-trailer towing a platform and a grain bin. Then I saw the largest drone I’ve ever seen land on the platform. Drone operator Alex Menard stated, “I’m planning a cover crop.”

Adirondack Farms co-owner Jon Rulfs explained, “We bought two drones this year. We’re planting approximately 1,500 acres of winter rye, with drones planting many of those acres. If we plant after harvesting a crop, we use a seed drill.” Before drones, small airplanes dropped the seed.

Rulfs noted that cover crops, such as winter rye, help reduce erosion, especially on sloped fields, while also helping the soil retain fertilizer and capture nutrients. He added that Adirondack Farms plants about 7,000 acres of corn in Peru and at its Moffitt Road farms in Plattsburgh.

 

 

St. Augustine’s Community Meal/Soup Kitchen will not serve this week

The St. Augustine’s Community Meal/Soup Kitchen will not serve a meal this week. Several volunteer cooks are traveling to visit families or have families visiting. Last week, they served 354 Thanksgiving dinners. They hope everyone enjoyed the meals and wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving!

Students convene at The Wild Center for Youth Climate Summit

Students from around New York and Vermont met at the Wild Center in Tupper Lake for this year’s Adirondack Youth Climate Summit

Click here for the Adirondack Explorer story 

NY ski areas gear up for winter season

Whiteface, Gore open for limited skiing ahead of holidays

Click here for the Adirondack Explorer story 

CVPH OB-GYN adds new providers and extended schedule

Marjorie Meyer MD.

Cheung Wong, MD

Susan Rech MD

Improving access and offering specialize care supports team’s commitment to providing quality care closer to hom 

Nov. 19, 2025, Plattsburgh, NY – With several new providers, expanded hours and additional clinic space, CVPH OB-GYN is making it easier for women and families across the region to get the care they need.

Over the past few months, the practice has welcomed David Coggin-Carr, MD, Ashley LaForest, PA, Marjorie Meyer, MD, Sue Rech, MD, Jessica Scott, NP and Cheung Wong, MD.  They join the dynamic team of physicians, midwives, nurse practitioners and support staff at CVPH OB-GYN including:  Teddi Bachawaty, MD, Caroline Hamel, MD,  Manal El Daouk, MD, Molly Mentzer, MD, Julia Marsala, MD, Delaney Osborn, MD,  Rebecca Parad, MD, Kayla Rumack, MD, Jessica Veltkamp, MD, Karen Case, CNM, Linda Johnston, CNM and Bridget Sarazen, CNM.

As a gynecologic oncologist, Dr. Wong specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of ovarian, uterine, cervical and vulva cancers.  Maternal fetal medicine specialists Drs. Coggin-Carr and Meyer provide care for pregnant women who may have existing health problems, like high blood pressure or diabetes or complications during pregnancy.

“This growth allows us to care for more patients without delay and provide advanced OB-GYN services locally, strengthening the connection between our team and the community,” noted Dr. Bachawaty, who leads the CVPH OB-GYN site.

“Our skilled clinicians at CVPH are working hard to improve access for patients in need. They deliver excellent, compassionate care with a focus on the individual patient and their unique situation. The new providers joining the team will augment these efforts,” said Jeffrey Peipert, MD, OB-GYN Department Chair of University of Vermont Health.

Weekend, Evening Appointments
The team has expanded their schedules to include weekend and evening appointment hours for gynecology patients. Bobbie Belrose, CVPH OB-GYN practice supervisor said the extended hours offer patients additional appointment options and allows more patients to be seen sooner.

The practice has also added additional exam rooms in space located across from the current office at Suite 105 in 206 Cornelia Street. Belrose explained that the expansion supports the team’s commitment to ensuring timely access and enhancing convenience.

 “Our goal is and always will be to give each person we care for the highest quality care – care that meets their needs.  We’ve been through a period of extraordinary growth and our team has done its best to keep pace. The addition of these new members to the team, the additional space and everyone’s commitment to our patients is making a difference,” explained Belrose.

When there’s a need our community organizations and volunteers answer the call

Peru High School teacher Rich Hathaway

Institute for Advanced Manufacturing

Don and Diane Haight

Isaac, Rich and Kristi Hathaway

A beautiful sight, indeed!

If someone has a name for this individual please email me at perugazette@gmail.com

Saturday, Nov. 2025 – Plattsburgh – The sun shined and atmosphere was casual and joyous this morning at 8:40 a.m. at the Regional Food Bank Thanksgiving Meal Distribution at the Institute for Advanced Manufacturing at the Clinton Community College’s former Campus. More volunteers than expected arrived at 7 a.m.. By 8:15 a.m., they had 350 Thanksgiving meals bagged outside the Institute for distribution, on a first-come, first-served basis. Distribution started at 9:15 a.m., when the vehicle line-up wasn’t long, but traffic flow was continuous.  Distribution was to continue until all the meal supply was exhausted. 

Several Peru residents were present, including members of the Peru Lions Club and others who just wanted to help out. Kristi Hathaway said a flyer circulated at Peru Central on Friday seeking volunteers.  Don and Diane Haight said they were there as members of the Interfaith Food Shelf. 

This year, the Regional Food Bank, with the help of 2,500 community volunteers, will provide the largest single-day Thanksgiving Meal Distribution in New York State, handing out 350,000 meals, serving 75,000 people at 21 distribution sites across the 23 counties in the Food Bank’s service area.

Read the Peru Gazette’s first and more detailed story on this Regional Food Bank program here. 

(Photo Provided) Peru Lions Club members and spouses. (L-R) Dave Dalton, Dave Jabaut, Larry Shanley, Dennis & Kathy Carrier, Clare Dalton, Jim Kieslich

Local community leaders turned out to support teh volunteers – L-R Don Deragon, Mark Henry, Judy Baughn, Michael Cashman, Billy Jones and Paul Lamoy.

Unsung heroes of the Adirondacks

Jen Williams, a devoted volunteer in Westport committed to making the community cleaner and safer

Click here for the Adirondack Almanack Story