The Peru Gazette

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Clinton County Historical Association Awarded $48,000 in Grant Funding from the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership

One award is for a 2025 Internship Grant in the amount of $8000 to hire and train an intern to process the large collection of historical documents donated to the Historical Association by the Plattsburgh Public Library. Work under this grant began in December of 2024.

The second grant is for Clinton County’s Pathway to America250, a Special Program Grant totaling $40,000.  This grant aims to cover collective projects by the Clinton County America250 Commemoration Committee in preparation for the America250 Semiquincentennial.  This grant will cover creating educational materials for area schools, a summer camp, a museum exhibit on the Revolutionary War telling the stories of women, Native and Indigenous Americans and other ordinary heroes and the Battle of Valcour Island.  It also includes funding for upgrading the Battles of Valcour and Plattsburgh diorama created by Arto Monaco in 1976, eight bilingual wayside interpretive panels, workshops by skilled artisans to teach the skills of that time period, promotional materials for each municipality and four free events with speakers and re-enactors.

This project will prepare for the area’s focus on the recognition and commemoration of the first and most significant naval battle of the American Revolution which determined the future of the fledgling republic of the United States.  The Lake Champlain Battle of Valcour Island, also known as the Battle of Valcour Bay, fought on October 11, 1776, in what is now the Town of Peru, was led by Brigadier General Benedict Arnold.  His small, inexperienced American Navy, fighting its first naval battle after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, prevented the British fleet from sailing south to Fort Ticonderoga before the winter of 1776.  The battle caused the British to withdraw to Canada giving the Americans almost a year to prepare for the eventual Battle of Saratoga and the victory which prevented Britain from separating New England from the other colonies.  This extraordinary historical event will be commemorated by the Clinton County America250 Committee under the Clinton County Historical Association. For more information about Clinton County’s America250 program planning, contact: gerifavreau@gmail.com.  

Residency continues to improve access to primary care in region

PLATTSBURGH, NY (03/28/2025) – Six new physicians will begin their 3-year Family Medicine training program here in July. The University of Vermont Health Network – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH) Family Medicine Residency introduced its incoming class of residents during a Match Day ceremony held at the hospital Friday, March 21.

Match Day is the day in which the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) releases results to applicants seeking residency positions. A requirement of obtaining a medical license and board certification, residency is a stage of medical training in which graduates of medical schools practice medicine under the supervision of an attending physician.

Members of the CVPH Family Medicine Residency Class of 2028 are:

• Lia Farrell, MD of West Virginia, is a West Virginia University School of Medicine graduate from Morgantown, West Virginia.
• Irzam Khan, MD and Cristina Prudencio-Brunello, MD are both from Ontario, Canada and graduated from St. George’s University School of Medicine, Grenada.
• Normeen Siddiqui, MD, is an Indiana native and a graduate of Ross University School of Medicine in Bridgetown, Barbado.
• Muhammad Sidiqui, MD is a graduate of American University of Antiqua College of Medicine. His hometown is Rochester, NY.
• Rishabh Taneja, MD of India is a graduate of Adesh Institute of Medical Sciences & Research, College of Punjab, India.

Residency Program Director Marianna Worczak, MD said Match Day is an exciting time for the residency. “Each new resident brings a fresh perspective and energy to our program, this organization, and our community.  Today is a celebration of those who have worked so hard to get here and for our program and the impact we continue to have on primary care in this region.”  In welcoming the Class of 2028, she offered that each doctor has a demonstrated interest in rural health care.

The CVPH Family Residency received more than 888 applications for the six spots in the Class of 2028 and conducted 110 virtual interviews after reviewing each application. Several open houses were held to provide prospective residents an opportunity to meet instructors and experience the North Country. The class was established after residents and the program’s team ranked their preferences and the NRMP creates the “match.”

Established in 2014 to improve access to primary care in the region, an average of 60% of graduates have opted to stay in Northern New York or Vermont to practice medicine. Worczak attributed that success to the community’s support, the dedication of the faculty, strong clinical experiences, a dedicated program administration, and support from CVPH and UVMHN senior leadership.

The CVPH Family Medicine Residency was created in a partnership with the University of Vermont’s Robert Larner College of Medicine and the University of Vermont Health Network. It offers a robust three-year program that includes rotations in emergency medicine, OB/GYN, pediatrics, cardiology, surgery, orthopedics, geriatrics and community medicine. Family Medicine Residents see their own patients in the CVPH Family Medicine Center at 159 Margaret Street and at the Hudson Headwaters Champlain Family Medicine Center.

“Trump’s executive order defended the actions, saying, “The United States lacks the ability to absorb large numbers of migrants…”

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Lake Champlain Polution is an issue in VT ag 

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“The process begun three years ago to relocate the Adirondack Park Agency’s headquarters from Ray Brook four miles west to the Village of Saranac Lake is approaching a critical juncture.”

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Current Plant

By John T Ryan 

Peru, NY – March 31, 2025- Upgrading Peru’s wastewater treatment plant should begin soon. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) mandated most upgrades. After being granted two delays, Peru signed a consent order to have a shovel in the ground no later than July 1, 2025. 

On March 18, the Peru Town Board approved the general, plumbing, and electrical bids totaling $16.3 million. The board had to advertise for the mechanical work (heating and air conditioning) twice because no contractors submitted bids for the February 29 initial bid opening. On March 28, K & L Plumbing & Heating submitted the lowest bid of $1,156,000, which C&S Engineering is reviewing. The board will award the winning bid at a special meeting on April 8 at 5 p.m. 

The following contractors submitted the lowest bids in their respective categories: 

• General Contractor: Murnane Building Contractors – $9,304,000 
• Plumbing Contractor: John W. Danforth – $5,648,000 
• Electrical Contractor: Triangle Electrical Systems – $1,342,800 Mechanical Contractor: (Pending) K & L Plumbing and Heating – $1,156,000 
• The bids totaled $17,450,800, not including engineering and contingency costs. 
• New York State awarded Peru $11,087,515 in grants, covering at least 50% of project costs. The town will finance the remaining cost through a 30-year no-interest loan. 

Today, Supervisor Randall said he would ask AES Northeast Engineering for an updated estimate of the project’s tax impact on the district’s 565 users. He expressed satisfaction that the bids came in lower than anticipated and his gratitude for the 50% grant funding, commenting, “We’re fortunate to have been awarded grants in today’s environment.” 

The board considered two alternatives regarding the project scope. After evaluating costs and grant funding, it agreed with Water-Sewer-Parks Department (WSPD) Superintendent Courtney Tetrault’s recommendation to relocate the Department’s base of operations to the treatment plant. The new facility includes a 5-bay garage, office, laboratory, lockers, shower, and restroom. The WSPD and Highway Department will use WSPD’s Cross Street building for storage. The board decided against pursuing a $2.5 million upgrade of the hamlet’s sewer collection infrastructure.

Correction 3/31/25 8:47 PM. The engineering firm is AES Northeast, not C&S, as initially stated.

Will serve consecutive 25-to-life sentences for the murders of Miranda Wade and Karen Lindsay

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Funds support free internet access, summer reading, museum projects

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The Peru Town Board has scheduled a Special Meeting for Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at 5:00 PM at the Peru Town Hall. The purpose of the meeting is to award the mechanical bid for the Peru Waste Water Treatment Plant Upgrade project.

“To understand the current state of New York’s prison system, you have to go back to the early 1970s, when New York City was dealing with a drug crisis.”

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Rubeena Chaudrey & Patty Taylor 

MALONE, NY (3/28/2025) – Comfort and calmness come in many forms in healthcare. Sometimes, all it takes is a caregiver’s presence.

Comforting comes easily for Patty Taylor, a nurse aide at the University of Vermont Health Network—Alice Hyde Medical Center. One of her patients, who happened to be the husband of a registered nurse who works at the hospital, was dying. Rubeena Chaudrey, RN, was notified, and she immediately left for the hospital. In the meantime, Taylor began doing what she does best: providing comfort and compassion.

“My husband was anxious and wanted to come home,” Chaudrey explains in her nomination of Taylor for the hospital’s BEE Award. “Patty stayed with him, decreasing his anxiety until I got there. Her staying with him kept him calm.”

The compassionate care Taylor provided to Chaudrey’s husband led to her becoming Alice Hyde’s newest recipient of the BEE Award. The award recognizes members of the hospital’s support staff who go above and beyond in their roles to improve the physical, emotional, and spiritual health of patients and their loved ones.

Tears of joy and appreciation flowed when Taylor found Chaudrey among the team and hugged her during this week’s surprise ceremony, recognizing the loss while paying tribute to the delivery of care the RN will never forget.

“For our family, it is not small. (It) was powerful care she provided him. She stepped up to meet his need. My family is forever thankful for her, that she made the last day of his life calm and peaceful,” Chaudrey adds.

During the award presentation, Taylor received a certificate commending her for her extraordinary work. Like all honorees, she also received a BEE Award pin, a beautiful and meaningful sculpture, and a basket filled with bee-themed gifts.

All Alice Hyde employees who support patient care by working with physicians and registered nurses to provide exceptional care to patients and their families are eligible for the BEE Award. Nomination forms and boxes are located at the hospital’s main entrances and on the Alice Hyde website. Support staff may be nominated by patients, families and colleagues. A committee reviews nominations and awards a deserving employee each quarter.

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Spaghetti

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!

Alert officers discover woman concealed in spare tire area of a vehicle

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SUNY Students Encouraged to Apply by April 18 Priority Deadline; Application Can Be Found Here

Albany, March 28, 2025—Governor Kathy Hochul announced the opening of applications for the second annual Empire State Service Corps Program, encouraging State University of New York students to apply for one of 500 paid civic and service internships this upcoming fall. The application opening signifies the program’s second year. During its first-ever application cycle, the program received over 2,000 student applications for 500 paid positions across 45 SUNY campuses within weeks of opening.

“The Empire State Service Corps is providing SUNY students with invaluable opportunities to serve their communities, gain hands-on experience, and build a foundation for future success,” Governor Hochul said. “By expanding civic engagement across New York, we empower the next generation of leaders to make a meaningful impact. I encourage all eligible students to apply and be part of this transformative program.”

The Empire State Service Corps is one of Governor Hochul’s 2024 State of the State priorities to expand service opportunities for college students. Students in the program dedicate at least 300 hours to paid community service and convene regularly to share and learn from each other’s experiences.

Seasonal tradition showcasing artisans in 100+ booths set on Clinton Community College campus

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The extension, which will apply to roughly 400 households, comes after the governor struck down legislation that would have granted a reprieve for all participants.

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State claims it doesn’t have resources to backfill the void

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Plattsburgh City firemen Hunter Church and Lt. Jamie Schwartz and 11th grader Landon Wilkens

Sandy Brady of AES Architecture, Engineering Northeast

Seated – Todd Clowney of Clowney Electric Services

Sheriff’s Deputy/School Resource Officer Mendoza and students Taylor Breyette and Lex Agnew

Clinton Community College Nursing Instructor Niki Rivers explains the school’s new 3-D viewers.

Veda Galy, NYS Dept.of Civil Service Outreach Specialist

Elizabeth Guillette of Schluter Systems has 800+ employees ranging from warehouse personnel to engineers.

Jake Frechette, Elliott Supley, and other Future Business Leaders of America members recruited the participants and offered refreshments to everyone.

By John T Ryan

March 28, 2025, Peru— 1,200 students in grades 4-12 took a 40-minute break from their regular classroom activities today to participate in the Peru Central School District’s Career Fair. Students had the opportunity to listen and ask questions of representatives from 51 public and private businesses and organizations, such as Schluter Systems, Clinton Community College, trade unions, military services, and engineering firms. This event provided an excellent chance for students to start considering their future career paths.

The Career Fair is part of Peru’s grant-funded After-school Career Exploration Program (PACE). Through this program, students participate in over 50 after-school activities, such as podcasting, screenwriting, marine education, astronomy, painting, and chess. These activities are designed to align with four key career areas: computer technology and communications, environmental conservation and engineering, advanced manufacturing, and human services.

PACE has three main goals: to enhance students’ academic knowledge and skills, to improve their behaviors and attitudes, and to foster specific career knowledge and skills. The PACE team consists of over 55 faculty members, staff, and mentors from SUNY Plattsburgh, It aims to reach 290 students each year, providing them with 15 or more hours of enrichment programming.

The Peru Central School Board of Education will gather Thursday, April 3^rd at 6 PM in the High School Community Room for their third public session budget workshop.

The meeting is open to the public and current District, County, State and Federal COVID-19 safety procedures and protocols will be followed.

The agenda will be available on the District’s website.