The Peru Gazette

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By John T. Ryan

Peru – Visitors to our beautiful region have an updated place to stay – The Shamrock Inn at the Adirondacks located at 2445 State Route 9, Peru, NY, (in the Town of Ausable) just 1.5 miles north of Ausable Chasm.  

Ann-Marie Kelly and her daughter Jennifer took ownership of the property on March 21, 2020. A retired dental practice manager, Ann-Marie Kelly relocated here from a Philadelphia, Pa. suburb. She said, “I bought it on a leap of faith after deciding to try something new. I love the lake and nature. I love it here.” 

Over the past several months, Kelly has renovated the Shamrock’s ten motel suites and rooms. The six cabins will be renovated over the next several months. 

The attractive, spacious rooms feature updated bathrooms, kitchenettes, bedding, flooring, and wall colors. Guests have access to a bbq grill, corn hole, horseshoes, and a fire pit in the large yard. 

Located inside the Adirondack Park and not far from Lake Champlain, Kelly serves a diverse customer base including Ausable Chasm visitors, hikers, tourists, boaters, hunters, anglers, and visiting construction workers. The Shamrock Inn at the Adirondacks is a reasonably priced place to stay at $70 to $100 a night. 

Kelly feels very welcome in the area. She stated, “Town Supervisor Sandy Senecal, the contractors, and the local business community have all been wonderful. The North Country Chamber of Commerce has also been very helpful.” 

Call 518-834-9770 or visit shamrockinnadk.com, Facebook.com/shamrockinnadk for more information on the Shamrock Inn at the Adirondacks.

Source: Gov. Scott shares message for those violating health guidelines: ‘Don’t call it patriotism’

Source: City & State Coronavirus Update

Source: Vermont reimposes hospital lockdowns; ramps up testing statewide – VTDigger

By John T. Ryan

Peru – The Peru Town Board passed a Final 2021 Town Budget at a Monday, November 16th Special Meeting. The Final Budget did not include the Preliminary Budget’s 18% pay raise for the town supervisor and 10% for town councilor positions. The supervisor and councilors also declined the 2.5% raise most other employees will receive. Youth Director John Flynn also notified the Board that he would not accept his 2.5% raise.

The highway superintendent, water-sewer superintendent, town clerk/tax collector, board secretary, codes/zoning/planning officer, dog control officer and codes/planning/zoning typist positions will still receive the raises included in the Preliminary Budget. They range from 3.7% to 7 %. (Click here to review Preliminary Budget raise details)

Town Supervisor Brandy McDonald and Counselors Jim Douglass, Melvin Irwin, Rick Barber and Kregg Bruno expressed the same theme. Given the pandemic and all that’s going on, 2021 is the wrong time to vote themselves a raise. Referring to the town’s upcoming significant projects, Councilman Rick Barber said, “I feel our actions this coming summer will speak for themselves.”

Source: City & State Coronavirus Update

By John T. Ryan

November 9, 2020, Peru Town Board Meeting Highlights:

The estimated $5 million-plus District #1 sewer upgrade project will be the subject of a November 23, 5:45 p.m. Public Hearing. The Town has been awarded a $1 million grant and secured long-term low-interest financing; however, the cost is very high for a system with only about 550 users. Click here for an earlier story. 

After listening to the advantages and disadvantages of a concrete three-sided box culvert vs. aluminum tubing, the Board reached a consensus that concrete would be the best choice. Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell determined that a 180-foot long culvert needs to be installed near the Telegraph-Sullivan Road intersection to prevent a road collapse. Engineering Ventures engineer Mark Decrescente stated that a $300,000+ concrete culvert would cost about 25% more than an aluminum structure. Still, the aluminum structure would have many more “unknowns” such as useful life.

The Board is weighing two alternatives for expanding Peru’s walking trail – A trail from the Buttonwood subdivision to Sullivan Park vs. extending the existing walking trail to Lapham Mills Park. Councilors plan to walk the routes and conduct a workshop on November 23. Grant monies may be available for the project.

A Christmas Tree lighting ceremony may be scheduled for December 4 at 7 p.m. at the Little Ausable River Park Gazebo. The Board will investigate COVID-19 restrictions before making a final decision.

Code Enforcement Officer Bob Guynup reported that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has a host of outstanding issues with the Orchard View/Washington Street development. Guynup, Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell and developer William Sawyer participated in a 1.5-hour online meeting with NYS DEC and the Army Corps. Most issues involve disturbed wetlands and the phase #4 street connection near Maplewood Drive. Maplewood Guynup said the DEC made only a few comments. Guynup expects developer William Sawyer to submit amended plans to the Planning Board in January or February with all issues hopefully resolved by May.  Phase #2, the up–the-hill section where one home was constructed,  cannot be completed until Army Corps and DEC requirements have been satisfied.

Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell asked the Board to update the pay policy portion of the employee handbook. The Board scheduled a handbook workshop for December 7 at 5 p.m.

The Board scheduled a January 4, 2021 workshop to discuss the Town’s Emergency Health Plan. NYS requires that towns have a plan to keep services functioning during emergencies such as floods and pandemics.

Source: American Education Week: November 16-20, 2020

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Source: Central NY’s positive coronavirus test rate is 2nd-highest in state – syracuse.com

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To the Citizens of Clinton, Essex & Franklin Counties:

I have spent nearly all my memorable life in the North Country, and I feel blessed to still call this region my home. For me, it is not the mountains, the beautiful lake, or the nearly perfect proximity to adventure and big city lights. I must admit, those are some pretty sweet perks, but those things are not what makes our region one of a kind, in my opinion. Our most valuable asset is our people. All of us. Together.

We are the type of community that supports one another, even in the most grave, complicated, and difficult circumstances. Whatever the barriers in our way, we find ways to support each other… even if that means giving up some of our own comforts to help a neighbor in need. Therefore, my wife and I made the choice to raise our family here. This is also why I have chosen to support the 2021 United Way Campaign.

This year has been an incredibly tough year for many of us. People from all over our region have faced some of the greatest challenges of their lifetime. The need to support our neighbors has never been greater. By contributing to the United Way – even with just a small payroll deduction or one-time gift – we can, collectively, as a community, ensure our neighbors (young and old) are fed, foster parents are trained and available, sanitation supplies are distributed, youth programs like the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts continue, physical fitness and recreation programs grow, affordable housing is available, mental health services are supported, weatherization of homes can continue, and so much more.

The local team at our United Way of the Adirondack Region is truly invested in being a key resource for coordinating these meaningful services with agencies throughout our region. These agencies include the Joint Council for Economic Opportunity (JCEO), Adirondack Community Action Programs (ACAP), Behavioral Health Service North (BHSN), Hospice of the North County, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI:CV), the Senior Citizens Council of Clinton County, and the YMCA, just to name a few.

The need has never been greater for us to support our region’s most valuable asset: Our people. By supporting our local United Way, you can ensure 100% of your donation is received by the organization(s) you choose, or you can give to the Community Impact Fund like I did. I find great satisfaction in knowing my 2021 gift will be managed by a small local team that truly has a pulse on the needs in our community. I know my dollars are being used to help a neighbor with the greatest need, and that is why I give to the United Way Campaign.

If you have contributed to the 2021 United Way Campaign already, thank you! If you have not contributed but would like to learn more about how you or your business can support this year’s campaign, I urge you to call Kathy Snow at our local United Way (518-563-0028) to learn more.

Rest assured, your dollars will be invested wisely to change lives right here in Clinton, Essex & Franklin Counties. Consider making an investment in our community’s most valuable asset.

My best,

Ryan C. Lee

Plattsburgh, NY

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