“There have recently been instances of blatant acts of racism and hatred right here in the North Country, and it cannot and will not be tolerated. It is most concerning that one of our very own diversity officers feels threatened and unsafe in her own community and this is quite simply unacceptable. I have personally reached out to her and I have encouraged other officials to reach out to her to express support and encouragement. No individual has the right to use racial slurs against another human being, whether in the form of graffiti or hostile acts and language. What these incidents in Plattsburgh and Saranac Lake have taught us is that racism exists everywhere and is not unique to one area. This was also exemplified by a local student’s compelling graduation speech regarding her trials and tribulations dealing with bigotry in her young life and I commend her for speaking up about her experiences. I look forward to continuing my work with the LINC steering committee to address racism in our community and stop bigotry in its’ tracks.”

From the office of NYS Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli

Federal Aid Needed to Cushion the Blow as Revenues Drop

The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected many local governments’ revenues and its impact will likely be severe for many municipalities’ finances, according to a report released today by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

As sales tax revenues fall by double-digits and state aid is reduced or delayed, DiNapoli called on the federal government to provide aid to local governments before drastic service cuts occur.

“Local governments are under extreme fiscal pressure. Costs for fighting the pandemic are adding up while revenues are rapidly falling,” DiNapoli said. “In this year’s state budget, aid to local governments was flat and now the state has withheld some aid. Local governments can only tighten their belts so far. They need federal aid and they need it now.”

Federal aid is typically only a minor component of local government revenues in New York — about 5 percent of total revenues in 2018, excluding New York City. In extraordinary circumstances, the federal government has stepped in with financial assistance to help states and local governments weather difficult times. Between 2008 and 2010, in response to the Great Recession, federal aid to local governments in New York increased by nearly 60 percent and was critical in shoring up local finances.

The report notes that sales taxes are one of the most important sources of revenue for many of New York’s local governments and are directly affected by the economic pause and social distancing measures implemented to control COVID-19. Sales tax collections for local governments in May fell 32.3 percent from last year. From March through May 2020, local governments have received $824 million, or 19.2 percent less, in sales taxes than they did during that same period in 2019.

Another risk to local revenues is the flow of state aid. The state budget director withheld 20 percent of May and June Aid and Incentives for Municipalities (AIM) payments to 12 cities and 20 percent of June Video Lottery Terminal (VLT) aid payments to 15 counties, cities, towns and villages. These combined reductions totaled $75.9 million. It is not yet determined if this aid will be paid to municipalities at a later date. While property taxes provide revenue stability for local governments, the tax cap and other constraints will likely limit their use to shore up local revenues. Property taxes could also be impacted by owners not being able to make payments.

DiNapoli said his office is tracking sales taxes on a monthly basis as well as pushing for legislation that gives local governments and school districts more flexibility in repaying debt and using reserve funds for pandemic-related expenses. The legislation has passed both the Assembly and the Senate and is awaiting action by the Governor.

FULL REPORT:

Under Pressure: Local Government Revenue Challenges During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Source: Holiday weekend brought wave of tourism | News | pressrepublican.com

Source: Rising coronavirus cases among young people worry Onondaga County officials – syracuse.com

Source: CNY person with coronavirus arrested for breaking quarantine, released due to bail reform laws – syracuse.com

Source: At least 16 sick after coronavirus exposure at DeWitt in-home day care: ‘Take this seriously … stay home if sick at all’ – syracuse.com

Source: Shelburne Museum scheduled to reopen this month

Source: Gyms, still shut, are part of a class-action lawsuit against NYS | Newsday

Source: Following warnings, crowded scenes and few masks at Burlington’s bars – VTDigger

1. Call Meeting To Order
2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Roll Call

4. MOTION/DISCUSSION: To Accept reports from all Departments: (Water/Sewer/Valcour; Highway; Town Clerk; Dog Control; Youth Department; Code/Zoning; Supervisor’s Report; Court; Website; JCEO; and Banking Reports)

5. MOTION: Approval of Minutes for the Town Board Regular Meeting of June 22, 2020.

6. DISCUSSION/MOTION: Set up IT Workshop time with PrimeLink.

7. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Approving Additional Purchase Cost of KM Hotbox for Shared Services.

8. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Approving the Creation of the Deputy Highway Superintendent Position.

9. DISCUSSION/MOTION: Bridge and Culvert New York Grant. 

10. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Pay Bills 

MOTION:     Adjourn

**In an effort to help stop the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, this Town Board Meeting will not be open to the public.  The minutes will be available online as soon as they are approved at the following Board Meeting of July 27, 2020.  Thank you your understanding in this matter and stay safe!

The Peru School Board of Education will hold its reorganizational and regular monthly meetings on Tuesday, July 14, 2020 at 6:15 PM and 6:30 PM, respectively.  For the regular meeting, it is anticipated that an executive session will take place immediately following the 6:30 PM start, and that the Board will reconvene for public session business at approximately 7:00 PM.  Due to current COVID-19 conditions, the meeting will be held remotely via Google Meet.  The public may view the meeting live at https://youtu.be/7R5ukQVljYs  The meeting will also be recorded and will be available on the District’s website at www.perucsd.org.  The regular meeting will include a public comment period not to exceed twenty (20) minutes.  Comments will be read in the order received and will be limited to two (2) minutes per sender.  Public comments may be submitted until 12:00 noon on July 14^th.  Comments may be emailed to perucomments@perucsd.org.

Anticipated Topics Include:

• Approval of BOCES/CVES Services
• Appointment of Personnel
• Board Meeting Dates for 20-21
• Mileage Rate
• Substitute Rates
• Donation Acceptance

The agendas will be available on the District’s website (perucsd.org).

Positive +1, Active +1, Tested +186

– In case you missed yesterday’s media release, read it here: www.clintonhealth.org/BulletinsPress/PR07082020.pdf
– For answers to some FAQs we’ve received, visit: https://bit.ly/2O3s5Ga
– To find a COVID-19 test site, visit: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/find-test-site-near-you
– For hospitalization data for the North Country Region, visit: https://forward.ny.gov/daily-hospitalization-summary-region
– For more details on the NYS travel advisory (requiring a 14 day quarantine after travel from states with significant community spread of COVID-19), visit https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/covid-19-travel-advisory

Source: Getting started with bird watching – – The Adirondack Almanack

Source: It’s Not Just You, There Actually Are A Lot More Chipmunks Out There | Vermont Public Radio

Source: Diversity leader moving out of Saranac Lake | News, Sports, Jobs – Adirondack Daily Enterprise

Source: Northern New York man charged with hate crime

Source: Trudeau Won’t Visit Trump. Most Canadians Don’t Want To Cross The Border Either | NCPR News

Source: Cuomo’s emergency powers questioned | NCPR News

July 8th – Positive +1, Active +1, Tested +295

Plattsburgh, July 8, 2020. As cases of COVID-19 surge across the country, local health officials are urging residents in Clinton County to remain vigilant. While active cases of COVID-19 have remained low in the region over the past month, other states have seen a significant increase in cases and hospitalizations for COVID-19. As of 8:00 am Wednesday, July 8, there were five active cases of COVID-19 in Clinton County. The Clinton County Health Department (CCHD) reports that two of the five most recent cases were known contacts of each other; the other three cases were not connected. In addition, none of the most recent cases were associated with travel—all were acquired locally. 

“Our concern is that residents will see our low numbers and let their guard down,” stated John Kanoza, Director of Public Health at the Clinton County Health Department. “We are doing well, because of our efforts, but we are not immune. The risk of COVID-19 is not gone. What’s happening around the country should serve as a reminder that we need to remain vigilant and continue to proceed cautiously.” He noted the Department’s strong contact tracing team, the commitment from local businesses to establish and implement safety plans, and the hard work of residents to follow social distancing and face-covering recommendations, as key factors to the region’s success. 

In general, as residents begin to interact with more people, and for longer periods of time, the risk for the spread of COVID-19 increases. Spending time with others who aren’t social distancing or wearing face coverings increases your risk. “Just because you feel fine does not mean that you cannot spread COVID-19. Recent studies show that individuals can spread COVID-19 to others without ever experiencing symptoms themselves (“asymptomatic”) and that even those who eventually develop symptoms can transmit the virus to others before showing symptoms (“pre-symptomatic”),” cautioned Mr. Kanoza. “Cloth face coverings may help to slow the spread from people who have the virus and are unaware. Wearing a face covering shows respect, it shows that you care about your community.” 

Face coverings should: 

 Be worn any time individuals are not able to maintain six feet of distance from others (outside of their household members). 

 Fit snugly and cover the nose and mouth. 

 Be changed frequently and laundered when they are soiled or wet. 

 Not be worn by children younger than 2 years of age; anyone who has trouble breathing; or anyone who is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the cloth face-covering without assistance. 

In addition, face coverings should not replace other protective measures. 

 Do not touch the cloth covering or face. 

 Continue to be vigilant with thorough and frequent handwashing with soap and water, or alcohol-based hand sanitizer of 60%+ alcohol. 

 Practice respiratory etiquette and cover your coughs or sneezes. 

 Practice physical distancing – even when wearing masks. 

About the Clinton County Health Department: 

The Health Department is an accredited full-service department serving the residents of Clinton County. The Health Department’s Mission is to improve and protect the health, well-being and environment of the people of Clinton County. Visit our website at www.clintonhealth.org or connect with us on Facebook (@clintonhealth), Twitter (@ClintonCountyHD), and Instagram (clintoncountyhealth).

Source: Malls in some New York regions can reopen this week, Cuomo says – syracuse.com

Source: Burlington schools set to open on time, new superintendent says – VTDigger