The Peru Gazette

Effluent sent straight to the town treatment plant overwhelming the facility and compromising water quality in nearby Stevens Brook, a tributary of Lake Champlain.

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70% drop in Canadian campers 

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Orchard View is an appropriate name

L-R Ken Silver IIi, Cole Silver, Art Starkę, Lisa Silver, Ken III’s father Ken Silver Jr. Missing – Phil St. Clair who is on vacation.

By John T Ryan (Please Share)

Peru, NY, July 30, 2025 – After an almost eight-year pause, new home construction is underway on Washington Street. Ken Silver III, owner of Silver III Construction, purchased the Orchard View Development in March 2024. He immediately began working on enlarging the drainage basin and reaching an agreement with the Town of Peru to take over the road, water, and sewer services.

Construction on the first new home began about a month ago; work on a second home is ongoing, and work on a third will commence in a few days. And there’s more good news; this morning, a family agreed to buy a fourth home.

Silver isn’t a newcomer to the home construction industry. He worked in the industry for several years before starting Silver III Construction fifteen years ago. When asked why he decided to take on the Orchard View project, Siver said, “I saw an opportunity to work locally and help the Town of Peru grow.'” Silver lives in Schuyler Falls, and his son, Cole, and daughter, Julianna, attend Peru Central School.

Silver describes the new home market as good. He remarked, “There’s not a lot on the market. I had plans to build a spec home, but I won’t be able to do it if customers keep coming.”

The section of the development underway includes thirteen lots; Silver has sold four, leaving nine available. Eventually, Washington Street will make a 180-degree turn and descend down the hill, opening up an additional nineteen lots.

Silver works with a small crew, including longtime crew member Art Starke, and Phil St. Clair, who is on vacation. Ken’s wife, Holly, handles administrative tasks. His son Cole helps out in the summer. His dad, Ken, and stepmom, Lisa, delivered lunch to the crew today.

Anyone interested in learning more about Orchard View should contact Michelle Fowler of Real Broker New York at 518-726-6665.

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“Medicaid provides support to 28% of the population of NY-21—either directly or through the New York State of Health Marketplace, according to the Healthcare Coalition for the North Country”

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Town of North Elba, Essex County 
Wilderness Rescue: On July 22 at 8:17 p.m., the Marcy Dam Caretaker called Ray Brook Dispatch about a hiker with a knee injury approximately a tenth of a mile from the outpost. At 9:47 p.m., Forest Ranger H. Praczkajlo reached the 71-year-old from Alplaus, provided first aid, and helped them back to Adirondak Loj.

Town of Newcomb, Essex County 
Wilderness Rescue: On July 22 at 8:37 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received an SOS call from Garmin for a hiker with intermittent fainting spells on the Calamity Brook trail. Two hikers with the 76-year-old also called for help and said they had been hiking since 6:30 a.m., and the hiker was suffering from dehydration and low blood sugar. At 11:50 p.m., four Forest Rangers and an Essex County Paramedic reached the subject and provided medical care and rehydration. The rescuers stayed with the subject overnight at the Herbert Brook lean-to. At 8:30 a.m., New York State Police Pilot Engel flew the patient to the hospital. Video of the helicopter rescue is available to download.

Town of Keene, Essex County 
Wilderness Rescue: On July 23 at 12:34 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call about a hiker with an unstable ankle injury on Haystack Mountain. New York State Policed (NYSP) Aviation was approved. Forest Ranger Curcio lowered Ranger Ordway to tend to the patient. At 2:25 p.m., Ranger Ordway harnessed the 25-year-old from New Jersey and Ranger Curcio hoisted the pair into the helicopter. NYSP Pilot Engel flew the patient to the hospital. Video of the hoist rescue is available for download.

Town of AuSable, Clinton County 
Wildland Fire: On July 24 at 5:33 p.m., five Forest Rangers and the Keeseville Volunteer Fire Department responded to a fire caused by a downed power line. The fire spread to 5.5 acres, but no structures were at risk.

“The cuts are largely to positions not involved in direct patient care, specifically in the network-wide finance, human resources and information technology teams.”

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Lake Champlain Residents are Encouraged to Report Any Signs of HWA, an Invasive Forest Pest

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), New York State Hemlock Initiative at Cornell University (NYSHI), and Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program (APIPP) today announced the confirmed presence of hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) on the western shore of Lake Champlain in the Port Douglas area, Essex County, and near the north end of Great Sacandaga Lake at Conklingville Dam, Saratoga County. Following reports from concerned residents and volunteers earlier this month, DEC verified detections and follow-up visits to the sites revealed visible signs of HWA.

“Hemlocks are an important part of New York’s forests and play vital roles in our ecosystem, providing unique environmental conditions under cool, dense canopies that protect wildlife, fishery habitat, water quality, and prevent soil erosion,” DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton said. “Together with our partners, New York State remains committed to monitoring and responding to invasive species and encourages New Yorkers to report any detections and remain on the lookout in communities across the state to help slow the spread of HWA and other invasives in our forests, lands, and waters.” Read more »

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Governor Kathy Hochul today announced legislation S.7672A/A.6769A, a measure aimed at enhancing the cybersecurity and resilience across New York, is now in effect. First announced in Governor Hochul’s 2025 State of the State address, this legislation requires all municipal corporations and public authorities to report cybersecurity incidents within 72 hours and ransomware payments within 24 hours to the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES). Within 30 days of making a ransomware payment, the victim must provide the payment amount, a justification for why it was necessary and an explanation of the diligence performed to ensure the payment was lawful. This information will improve the State’s ability to address cybersecurity threats, safeguard critical infrastructure, and tackle the scourge of ransomware.

“Here in New York, we are keeping up with technology’s fast-paced evolution and are resilient in the face of cybersecurity threats,” Governor Hochul said. “This legislation strengthens our response and provides our state’s Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services the necessary information to handle reports of attacks and keep New Yorkers safe.”

New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray said, “New York State is leading the way in cybersecurity threat and ransomware reporting. Now that the system is operational, our teams will be better armed to protect important infrastructure and address ransomware attacks.”

Municipal corporations and public authorities may report cybersecurity incidents, notice of ransomware payments, and justification for ransomware payments to DHSES through a web portal available at https://www.dhses.ny.gov/.

Local governments, non-executive agencies and state authorities should still call the DHSES Cyber Incident Response Team hotline at 1-844-OCT-CIRT (1-844-628-2478) if they need immediate cyber incident response support.

Governor Hochul signed this legislation on June 27 after virtually convening local government officials to discuss ongoing security efforts. The legislation also mandates annual cybersecurity awareness training for government employees across New York and sets data protection standards for State-maintained information systems.

1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. ROLL CALL
4. APPROVAL June  2025 minutes
5. OPEN FLOOR to public hearing
6. APPLICATIONS:

1. P2025-0014 Site Plan Review;Food Truck

 Michele Belanger

280.1-5-6,  2 Gorman Way.

P2025-0015 Merge

Forrence Orchards Inc

268.-1-49 & 268.-1-35.1

307 Route 22B

 7. ANY FURTHER BUSINESS

8. CEO REPORT

9.ADJOURNMENT

1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. ROLL CALL
4. APPROVAL of  June 2025 minutes
5. OPEN FLOOR to public hearing
6. APPLICATIONS:

1. Z2025-014    Special Use Permit                               NY RSA2 Cellular Partnership

                             d/b/a Verizon Wireless

                                Valcour Rest Area

2. Z2025-016 Area Variance                                         Erich Lutz

Matthew Ingram

280.1-3-12

3019 Main St

7. CEO REPORT
8. ADJOURNMENT

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Peru, NY, July 27, 2025 – It has been just over a year since the Peru Zoning Board approved Tesla’s building permit. However, beginning about two weeks ago, eight Tesla EV chargers have been functioning at Peru Stewart’s Shop.

At 1:30 p.m. today, a local resident gave his Tesla Model 3 a five-minute charge on his way to a party. Tomorrow, he’ll use one of the free chargers near his workplace in the City of Plattsburgh.

At  2:40 p.m., four Tesla vehicles were being charged. One man, accompanied by two passengers, was traveling to Massachusetts after enjoying a weekend in Montreal.  A family of four was traveling to Connecticut after visiting friends in Plattsburgh.

All seven travelers were enjoying fast food purchased either at Stewart’s or at one of the restaurants on Bear Swamp Road.

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Chicken & Biscuits 

Salad 

Fruit 

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!