The Peru Gazette

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Source: Correctional officers’ union at FCI Ray Brook sounds the alarm | News, Sports, Jobs – Adirondack Daily Enterprise

Source: Public warned of phone scam in City of Plattsburgh – Sun Community News & Printing

Source: One confirmed case of inmate with COVID-19 at Clinton Correctional, NYSDOCCS says | Coronavirus | pressrepublican.com

The regular meeting of the Peru Town Board was held on Monday, March 9, 2020 at the Peru Town Hall.  Those present were Mr. Brandy McDonald Supervisor-Excused; Mr. James Douglass, Deputy Supervisor; Mr. Melvin Irwin, Councilman; Mr. Richard Barber; Councilman; Mr. Kregg Bruno, Councilman and Mrs. Dianne Miller, Town Clerk.  Also present were Mr. Courtney Tetrault, Water/Sewer Superintendent; Mr. Michael Farrell, Highway Superintendent;  Ms. Pamela Barber, Confidential Secretary to the Board and Mr. Dave Drollette, Dog Control officer. 

The meeting was called to order at 6:02 PM by Mr. Douglass, with the Pledge of Allegiance.  

Motion by Mr. Bruno; seconded by Mr. Barber to approve the minutes from the February 24, 2020 meeting.   Ayes 4   Nays 0 Motion Carried

Motion by Mr. Bruno; seconded by Mr. Irwin to include the reports from the following departments into the official record of tonight’s meeting.  (Water/Sewer/Valcour; Highway; Town Clerk; Dog Control; Youth Department; Code/Zoning; Supervisor’s Report; Court; Website; JCEO and Banking Reports).  No JCEO or Code/ Zoning Reports submitted

Ayes 4   Nays 0                                            Motion Carried

Community Input and Questions Read more »

Source: Stefanik says U.S. military should open hospitals in North Country | NCPR News

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Elise Stefanik sent a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf, and Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia requesting comprehensive resources and guidance for communities across New York State to address the impact that COVID-19 will have on the ability for migrant workers to access the H-2A visa program. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, many embassies and consulates have closed. Farms and businesses that depend on work visa program to meet their labor needs are facing uncertainty as they approach the 2020 season. This letter, signed by members of the New York Congressional Delegation, requests information on federal efforts that will be undertaken in the coming weeks to maintain accessible guidance for participants in work-based immigrant visa programs.

“Our farmers are facing an unprecedented challenge in keeping America’s food supply chain secure during the COVID-19 outbreak,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “The farms and businesses in the North Country who rely on work visa programs to fill their labor gap need answers. I have heard from many farmers about the strain that uncertainty in the workforce will place on their ability to have successful growing and planting seasons. I will continue to call on the administration to find solutions and support our farmers through this trying time.”

Source: Cuomo says coronavirus cases accelerating, apex could strike in two weeks

Source: Local landlord encourages communication | Coronavirus | pressrepublican.com

Source: Tokyo Olympics postponed to 2021 due to coronavirus pandemic | Sport | The Guardian

Source: Webinar for small businesses impacted by Covid-19 – – The Adirondack Almanack

Source: Saratoga County officials angry over essential employees getting huge pay bump

Source: Albany County jail nurse tests positive for COVID-19, forcing 35 inmates into isolation

Source: Watervliet, other Capital Region communities shut playgrounds to halt coronavirus spread

Update from the Clinton County Health Department

There are now seven cases of COVID-19 and it is anticipated that, just as in other locales, this number will begin to rise more quickly. For this reason, CCHD will be providing a once-a-day case count along with other relevant information. The count will be updated by the day rather than by each newly confirmed test.

Source: Get Involved: How You Can Help | Department of Health

DEC Releases Draft New York State Forest Action Plan Plan Available for Public Comment through April 3 The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced the release of the draft New York State Forest Action Plan for public review and comment. The State Forest Action Plan is a 10-year strategic plan for DEC and New York’s forestry community that provides long‐term, comprehensive, and coordinated strategies for addressing the challenges facing New York’s forests today. “Each decade, developing the state’s Forest Action Plan provides an opportunity for DEC to assess our priorities for managing and protecting New York’s forests for the future,” said Commissioner Basil Seggos. “The future of our forests affects every one of us, and I encourage New Yorkers to review the plan and provide feedback to ensure all voices are heard in this process.” The draft Forest Action Plan leverages New York’s forests in the fight against climate change. New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (link leaves DEC’s website) sets the state on a path to achieve a carbon-free electricity system by 2040, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions 85 percent by 2050. Forests and forest products are a vital resource for mitigating total greenhouse gas emission levels through carbon sequestration and long-term storage. The draft plan identifies ways that New York’s forests can realize this potential as part of the state’s comprehensive climate change solution. The federal Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act requires each state forestry agency to develop “Statewide Assessment and Strategies for Forest Resources,” collectively referred to as the State Forest Action Plan. A final State Forest Action Plan, which will be an update to New York’s 2010 Plan, is due in June 2020. New York’s State Forest Action Plan addresses the three national priorities identified by the U.S. Forest Service: Conserve and manage working forest landscapes for multiple values and uses; Protect forests from threats; and Enhance public benefits from trees and forests. New York’s plan builds on these priorities and identifies four primary goals for New York’s forests: Keep New York’s forests as forests; Keep New York’s forests healthy; Ensure forests benefit humans and all living creatures; and Ensure support, protection, and appreciation of New York’s forests. The public is encouraged to comment on the 2020 draft State Forest Action Plan through April 3, 2020. DEC will review and address all comments received. The draft plan is posted on the DEC website. Comments can be directed to: Sara Hart, Natural Resources Planner, 625 Broadway, 5th Floor, Albany, NY 12233-4254, or ForestActionPlan@dec.ny.gov. DEC will hold a public meeting on February 26, from 1 to 3 p.m., at 625 Broadway, Albany, NY, Public Assembly Room 129. All interested parties are invited to attend. Anyone unable to attend may access the meeting online or via phone. To join the online meeting, click here to visit the meeting website. (Link leaves DEC’s website) If asked for a meeting number or password, use the following: Meeting number: 643 896 931, password: Welcome1. Upon joining the meeting, the caller will be prompted to connect to audio using their computer. Those who prefer to connect to audio by phone may do so by calling this toll-free number: 1-844-633-8697, access code: 643 896 931.

Source: DEC Releases Draft New York State Forest Action Plan – NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation

Plattsburgh, NY – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to New York State small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, and non-profit organizations suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Source: NY, IRS push tax deadline to July 15

Source: Albany County Executive ‘begging’ feds for more tests, supplies to combat COVID-19

Source: Is Vermont ready? Hospitals scramble to prepare for COVID-19 – VTDigger

Source: 15 coronavirus cases now linked to Burlington care facility

Source: Trump Activates National Guard To 3 States Hit Hardest By Coronavirus | NCPR News

Source: NY hospitals ordered to expand capacity, Army and Navy to help downstate | NCPR News