The Peru Gazette

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Peru CSD Board of Education will hold its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at 5:30 PM in the High School Community Room. It is anticipated that an executive session will take place immediately following the 5:30 PM start, and that the Board will reconvene for open public session business at approximately 6:00 PM. The meeting will be recorded and will be available on the District’s website at www.perucsd.org.

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

Currently, two (2) public comment opportunities are planned as follows:

First public comment: Related to items on the agenda. Comments are limited to three (3) minutes per speaker.

Second public comment: Comments are limited to three (3) minutes per speaker.

Individuals who are unable to attend the regular meeting in person may submit public comments by emailing perucomments@perucsd.org no later than noon on Tuesday, September 15th. Online comments are also subject to the conditions stated above.

Anticipated topics include:

• Start of School Update

• Personnel Appointments

• Special Education Update

The complete agenda will be available via BoardDocs on the District’s website (www.perucsd.org).

The Pipes and Drums of Plattsburgh will be in Peru for the Applefest Parade, Saturday, Sept. 19.

Parish Center grounds at 3030 Main Street open at 10:30. Parade leaves Peru Elementary School at 11 a.m

Tucker Taylor was set to be arraigned Sunday afternoon in connection with Patricia Lawrence’s death

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PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. September 14th 2026 – After years of planning and hoping to create a website that better serves the veterans, families, volunteers, and supporters of North Country Honor Flight, the organization is proud to announce the launch of its brand-new website: northcountryhonorflight.org.

The new website provides a modern, accessible, and easier-to-navigate online home for the organization and the veterans it serves.

The website was generously donated, designed and built by Champlain Valley Web Designs, a local Plattsburgh, N.Y., web design agency specializing in websites for small businesses and community organizations throughout Northern New York and Vermont.

“We have talked about having a new website for years, and seeing this goal finally come to life is incredibly exciting,” said Jerika Manning, Executive Officer of North Country Honor Flight. “Our website is often the first place people go when they want to learn about North Country Honor Flight. It needed to reflect who we are, the importance of our mission, and the incredible veterans we have the privilege of serving.”

The website serves a wide range of people who connect with North Country Honor Flight, including:

• Veterans looking for information about the Honor Flight program and how to apply.

• Guardians and families preparing for upcoming flights and looking for important trip information.

• Volunteers interested in becoming involved and supporting the organization’s mission.

• Donors and community supporters looking to make a contribution and help send local veterans to Washington, D.C.

• Family members and friends looking for photographs and memories from their loved one’s Honor Flight.

• Community members who want to learn more about the organization’s mission and upcoming events.

A Local Partnership

North Country Honor Flight is especially grateful to Champlain Valley Web Designs for helping make this longtime goal possible.

Owner and founder Mason Kozak hand-codes each website in HTML and CSS rather than relying on page builders or plugins. This approach helps create websites that are fast, secure, and customized to the needs of each organization.

Champlain Valley Web Designs works with small businesses and community organizations throughout Northern New York and Vermont. In addition to website design and development, the agency provides hosting, website updates, search engine optimization, and digital marketing services after launch.

“We are incredibly grateful to Mason and Champlain Valley Web Designs for investing their time and expertise into North Country Honor Flight,” Manning said. “Mason understood our mission and helped us create something that will serve our organization and our veterans for years to come.”

North Country Honor Flight encourages veterans, families, volunteers, donors, and community members to visit the new website and explore everything the organization has to offer.

Visit the new website at northcountryhonorflight.org.

To learn more about the team behind the new website, visit cvwds.com.

About North Country Honor Flight

North Country Honor Flight is dedicated to honoring veterans by providing them with the opportunity to visit the memorials in Washington, D.C., built in their honor. Through the generosity of donors, volunteers, guardians, and community partners, North Country Honor Flight works to ensure that local veterans receive the recognition and gratitude they have earned through their service to our nation.

North Country Honor Flight — Our mission is one of gratitude.

News Release of September 13, 2026 – “Twenty-five years later, we continue to stand together as neighbors to remember and honor those lost during the September 11 attacks. We remember the incredibly brave firefighters and first responders who assisted with immediate search and rescue, as well as those from throughout the nation who answered the call to navigate the landscape after the towers fell. We thank the emergency dispatchers who answered each call, providing support in an environment they never could have imagined. We thank our nation’s allies for their generous support during our most dire hour of need. Most of all, we honor those who were lost both in the attacks and as a result of exposure to hazardous materials during recovery efforts. I thank the organizers of the many memorial ceremonies being held throughout the North Country who work to ensure their stories and memory are never forgotten.”

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; and Banking Reports, JCEO);
5. MOTION: Acceptance of Minutes for the Public Hearing of August 10, Special Meeting of August 14 and Regular Meeting of August 24, 2026.
6. Community Input. 
7. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Approval for Engineering Ventures Reject Bids for Wescott Rd Culvert Project and Re-bid at a Later Date.
8. DISCUSSION:  Sale Results of “$3M Bond Anticipation Notes, 2026” for Culvert Projects.
9. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: To Call for a Public Hearing to Adopt a Local Law to Exceed the Tax Levy Limit for the 2027 Budget Year.
10. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Approve Authorization for Revision to Decommissioning Financial Assurance Yellow 6 LLC Solar Project.
11. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Rescind Resolution #26.03-23-5 Appointing Deputy Town Clerk and Registrar of Vital Statistics.
12. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Approve Resolution Appointing Deputy Town Clerk and Registrar of Vital Statistics. 
13. DISCUSSION: NYSDOT Reducing the Speed Limit on Fox Farm Rd. From Unposted 55 MPH to 45 MPH
14. DISCUSSION/MOTION: Approval of Triangle Electrical Systems Pay App. #12 for Peru WWTP Project. 
15. DISCUSSION/MOTION: Approval of John W. Danforth Systems Pay App. #14 for Peru WWTP Project.
16. DISCUSSION/MOTION: Approval of Murnane Bldg. Contractors Pay App. #14 for Peru WWTP Project.
17. DISCUSSION/MOTION: Approval of K & L Plumbing & Heating Systems Pay App. #9 for Peru WWTP Project.
18. DISCUSSION/MOTION: Approval of Luck Bros. Inc. Pay App. #2 for Telegraph Road Culvert. Project.
19. DISCUSSION/MOTION: Approval of Ed Garrow & Sons. Inc. Pay App. #1 for Lyons Road Culvert Replacement.
20. DISCUSSION/MOTION:  Approve 2027 Budget Meeting Schedule. 
21. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Compensation for Code Enforcement Officer Call Out Instances.
22. DISCUSSION: Barton & Loguidice Monthly Report on Peru Water Project.
23. DISCUSSION: AES Northeast Meeting Report on Peru Wastewater Project.
24. DISCUSSION: Other Business. – Town Board.
25. DISCUSSION: Other Business. – Dept. Heads.
26. DISCUSSION: Public Comments on Agenda Items Only.
27. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Pay September 2026 Bills.
28. MOTION: Adjourn to Executive Session.
29. MOTION: Return from Executive Session.           
30. 28. MOTION: Adjourn Meeting.

The St. Augustine’s Community Dinner/Soup Kitchen will not be serving this week because of Applefest preparations. The next meal is Wednesday, September 23.

Come and enjoy the 2026 Applefest on Saturday, September 19. Grounds open at 10:30. Community Parade at 11. There more foods being served than we can name here. Enjoy!

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A 46er reflects on her experience, growth and what the journey did for her. 

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Plattsburgh, NY (September 10, 2026) — As we observe the 25th anniversary of the tragic events of 9/11, my thoughts turn to the help of good friends and particularly our Canadian neighbors that day. More than 250 U.S. bound flights were forced to land in Canada, including 38 at the large airfield in the small, isolated town of Gander, Newfoundland. They disembarked 6,595 scared and bewildered people at Gander — almost the town’s population. And as Canadians have always done, especially for their American friends, the call went out to everyone, from seniors to children: “Lend a hand! Do what you can!”

And did they respond! Pooling food, bedding, clothes, and so much more. Preparing meals. Looking after children. Local pharmacies providing prescriptions at no cost. Forming lasting friendships that continue.

And then some 40,000 Canadian troops fought with us for years in Afghanistan.

But this is the special and unique pattern of Canadian support for Americans for over 150 years.

Canadians are the people who enlisted in the Union Army in our Civil War by the tens of thousands in support of freedom. Who landed on the beaches of Normandy with us. Who have earned 61 Medals of Honor serving in our military. Who wept with us after the assassination of President Kennedy and renamed a Montreal avenue in his memory. Who rescued our diplomats in Tehran at high risk. Who responded tremendously to Katrina. And yes, who took Americans into their hearts at Gander on 9/11.

It has been and hopefully will be an incredible people-to-people relationship. But as the 9/11 anniversary instructs us that remembrance is important, its link to the special support, time and time again, of Canadians for America and Americans warrants strong remembrance and commemoration too.

What does Canada have that we need? Set aside all things economic — as substantial as that list is. As in our individual existence, do we not need the special bonds of special friendship, infused with kindness, generosity, dependability, shared values and familial level connection? Let’s all think about the grim sadness of 9/11 but also allow our thoughts to look north to the extraordinary humanity of the Canadian residents of Gander that dreadful day.

We remember!

Garry Douglas, President and CEO
North Country Chamber of Commerce

A value lesson for other small towns 

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Hikes up Lyon Mountain and Stillwater Mountain provide different yet similarly enjoyable experiences from the fire towers at the summits

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Plattsburgh, September 9, 2026. It’s National Preparedness Month and the Clinton County Health Department is reminding residents to plan ahead for different types of emergencies. 

“Emergency preparedness is really just planning ahead to have the necessary tools available before you need them,” explained Mark Lafountain, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator at CCHD. “Think about what you might need to survive or just get by during various emergencies and make a plan to acquire those things. Being prepared before an emergency happens can make all the difference for our families and our communities.” 

“I encourage everyone across the North Country to take National Preparedness Month as an opportunity to make sure they are ready,” said Mark Henry, Chairman of the Clinton County Legislature. “Whether it’s a severe winter storm, flooding, a power outage, or another unexpected emergency, taking the time now to make a plan and gather basic supplies can help protect our loved ones and give us greater peace of mind.” 

Emergencies can come in all forms. Weather events (snow, ice, rain, wind, flooding, extreme heat, extreme cold, etc.), fires (home or forest), natural disasters, financial hardships, cyberattacks, loss of communication, and power outages are all scenarios residents should prepare for. 

“Think about what could affect you and your loved ones,” advised Mr. Lafountain. “In some instances, you may need to relocate to a safer spot (evacuate) and in other instances, you may be advised to shelter-in-place (stay where you are).” 

To start planning for emergencies, discuss the following questions with your family, friends, or household and tailor your plans and supplies to the specific daily needs of your household. 

1. How will I receive emergency alerts and warnings? 
2. What is my shelter plan? 
3. What is my evacuation route? 
4. What is my family/household communication plan? 
5. Do I need to update my emergency preparedness kit? 

“Once you have created and practiced your plans with your family, it’s time to build your emergency kit,” added Mr. Lafountain. “An emergency kit should have basic items that you need in your everyday life. Try to aim for at least 3 days and up to 7 days of self-sufficiency.” 

Include items like:  Read more »

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New Report Highlights Remarkable Growth, Resilience, and Transformation of Neighborhoods Around Ground Zero

September 9, 2026 – Lower Manhattan has undergone a profound transformation in the 25 years since the terror attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. A diversified business community, an expanding tourism sector, major public transportation investments, and the emergence of a 24-hour neighborhood that has seen the number of housing units and residents more than double since 2000, are testament to New York’s and the nation’s determination to recover and rebuild stronger than before. In a report released today, New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli examines the socioeconomic changes that have helped shape Lower Manhattan’s evolution. A companion report highlights the work of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum to educate the public and support 9/11 families. Read more »

Plattsburgh Public Art Project is celebrating ten years beautifying the North Country and building community through art.  Meet Outside Art Director Amy Guglielmo as she shares the inspiration for the 20 plus mural projects in the region and why public art matters and benefits us all.  Learn about the future goals of the organization and how it takes a village to paint the town.

Thanks to Rochelle Ginis for her photo taken on Labor Day at Northern Orchard’s Farm Stand, Union Road in Peru.

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The idea for a world class botanical garden in the Champlain Valley was inspired by a group of women planting lilacs.

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September 8, 2026 – State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli today announced employer contribution rates for the New York State and Local Retirement System (NYSLRS) for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2027-28. Employers’ average contribution rates will decrease from 17.6% to 17.3% of payroll for the Employees’ Retirement System (ERS) and increase from 36.5% to 37.4% of payroll for the Police and Fire Retirement System (PFRS). Read more »