The Peru Gazette

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Schenectady, N.Y. – To honor those who serve and have served, Price Chopper/Market 32 will be raising funds for Disabled American Veterans (DAV) in November. All month, Price Chopper/Market 32 customers will have the opportunity to round up their change at checkout, 100% of which will go directly to DAV. Price Chopper/Market 32 will add to the fundraising with a $10,000 match.

Each year, DAV provides cost-free lifetime support to more than a million veterans of all generations and their families. In addition to having extended more than 345,000 free rides to medical appointments and assisted with 209,300 benefit claims last year, DAV worked to connect veterans with meaningful employment opportunities by hosting job fairs and providing resources to ensure they have the opportunity to participate in the American Dream their sacrifices have made possible.

“Price Chopper/Market 32 is gratified to collaborate annually with teammates and customers alike to help veterans who have risked their own lives to protect our country and freedoms,” said Pam Cerrone, Price Chopper/Market 32’s director of community relations.

DAV’s goal is to empower veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity. This is accomplished by ensuring that veterans and their families can access the full range of benefits available to them; fighting for the interests of America’s injured heroes on Capitol Hill; and educating the public about the great sacrifices and needs of veterans transitioning back to civilian life.

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The Peru CSD Board of Education will hold a special meeting in the High School Community Room on Thursday, October 31, 2024, at 7:30 AM.  It is anticipated that the Board will almost immediately convene in Executive Session to discuss the employment history and potential discipline of a particular person.  Currently, no other District business is expected for this meeting.

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

The meeting is open to the public and current District, County, State and Federal safety procedures and protocols will be followed. The public may only view the open/public sessions of the meeting.  Executive Session is not available for viewing/attendance.

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Flagpole Foundation Director Danny Kaifetz

Jimmy Devan

Greg Lee guides Jimmy Devan down the flagpole

Jimmy Devan and North Motorcycle Association members raise the pole

Danny Kaifetz shows Jimmy Devan the pole’s plaque bearing Jimmy’s name and years of military service.

Jim Brown pins the World War II Purple Heart on Jimmy.

World War II Purple Heart was awarded to Private Nathan Ralis, who died of his Normandy Invasion wounds.

Jimmy and Bonnie Devan’s daughter Sharron told what a wonderful father Jimmy has been.

By John T Ryan

Peru, NY – Don’t miss the beautiful new flagpole as you drive by the 692 Route 22B residence of Jim and Bonnie Devan. On Sunday, October 27, 2024, Danny Kaifetz, Director of The American Heroes Flagpole Foundation, conducted a moving ceremony to honor Vietnam War Veteran PFC James “Jimmy” Alvin Devan. Jimmy Devan served our nation from 1967 to 1968 in combat with the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, Charlie Company. Devan’s 2023 North County Honor Flight biography recounted his heroism. “On patrol and headed to Hill 10 in Da Nang, a booby-trap explosion destroyed Jimmy’s eyesight and inflicted severe injuries, requiring many back-and-forth transports between the Da Nang Hospital and the USS Sanctuary. Jimmy received a Purple Heart and several awards for his courage, saying he’d do it all over again.”

Danny Kaifetz addressed Devan’s family and friends, saying, “What is so difficult today is that Jim will not see his flagpole due to his extreme sacrifice 56 years ago for our Nation. I would like everyone here today to take a moment after this ceremony to describe to him what you saw through your eyes. The Honor, the Importance, and the Merit he earned are far beyond what we can convey today. Please aid this fine Marine and outstanding American Hero in seeing his flagpole and stamping that image into his heart.”

Decorated Veteran Greg Lee guided Jimmy through the ceremony. He served in the same Marine Vietnam Unit as Jimmy, just a few months apart. Onlookers shed a few tears as Jimmy, guided by Lee, touched the entire length of the flagpole.

Danny Kaifetz founded the American Heroes Flagpole Association in late 2022. Located In Owl’s Head, NY, its mission is to create and aware hand-crafted 25-foot Northern Red Oak flagpoles to combat wounded, combat-disabled, and combat-decorated veterans throughout the Northeast at no cost to veterans. Jimmy Devan is the 20th veteran to receive this award. Kaifetz plans to award 100 flagpoles over a five-year period.

American Legion Post 1619 members formed an Honor Guard, sounded taps, and fired a rifle salute. Auxiliary members sang several patriotic songs. Jimmy is a Post 1619 Life Member and Bonnie is an Auxiliary member. Veterans of the North Motorcycle Association stood at attention and helped Jimmy Devan raise the flagpole and flag.

After the flag flew, Danny Kaifetz conducted an additional presentation. Recently, a WWII veteran’s nephew sent Kaifetz his uncle’s Purple Heart, asking Kaifetz to find a place of Honor. The uncle, Private Nathan Ralis, participated in the Normandy Invasion on June 6, 1944, and died of his wounds on November 22, 1944. Kaifetz asked Veterans of the North Motorcycle Association officer Jim Brown to present the medal, saying, “There can be no greater honor for both the original recipient eighty years ago and the man we are honoring here than to have Jim Brown pin this Purple Heart Medal on James Alvin Brown’s chest.”

Jimmy Devan’s daughter Sharron also spoke, eliciting the most emotion from her father as she recounted what a wonderful father, mentor, and grandfather he’s been to his family. The Devans’ daughter Jamie was out of town attending a wedding, but she called to congratulate her dad as the ceremony concluded. Then, Jim and his wife Bonnie invited everyone inside for refreshments.

The American Heroes Flagpole Foundation has more ceremonies scheduled this year, the next being at the Barracks Veterans Park on the U.S. Oval on Veterans Day, November 11.  Go to www.americanheroesflagpoles.com on the web for more information.

Chicken & Biscuits

Fruit 

Vegetable

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!

1. Call Meeting to Order

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Roll Call 

4. MOTION:  Acceptance of Minutes for the Regular Meeting of October 10, 2024. 

5. Community Input.

6. DISCUSSION/MOTION:  Lakes to Locks Passage Kiosks.

7. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Approve the Sale of the Dynapac Roller & Blawknox Paver to the Town of Jay.

8. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Approval of Clinton County 2024-2025 Snow & Ice Services Contract.

9. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Awarding the RFQ Solicitation to AES Northeast, Inc. For the Wastewater Treatment Plant Project.

10. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Approval of the Hiring of Alexis Grennan for Part time Asst. Recreation Director for Fall Sports.

11. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Acceptance of the Internal Audit for the Town of Peru Town Clerk.

12. DISCUSSION:  Other Business.

13. DISCUSSION:  Public Comments on Agenda Items Only.

14. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: September 2024 Bills.

15. MOTION:  Adjourn to Executive Session.

16. MOTION:  Return from Executive Session. 

17. MOTION: Adjourn Meeting.

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Foreman Chad Frechette holds one of the lead (gooseneck) connectors being replaced.

Peru – October 24 – Yesterday, Peru Water/Sewer/Parks Department personnel continued replacing 18-inch lead (gooseneck) connectors with brass connectors and galvanized pipe with plastic pipe along North Main Street.  Department Superintendent Courtney Tetreault said, “I believe the NYS Department of Transportation (DOT) plans to pave this street either next year or the following year, so I want to finish this work now. When a water line breaks, it’s usually a galvanized pipe installed in the 1950s or earlier. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) doesn’t consider the lead connectors a problem, but it makes sense to replace them.”

Tetreault says he’s never seen a lead water line used in Peru; however, the EPA is mandating that every community survey all its water lines to determine the presence of lead. Several weeks ago, his office sent a survey to every customer asking them to examine the water line entering their residence or business. If a customer hasn’t or can’t state that the lead isn’t present, his water personnel must inspect the line. By November 14, customers who did not respond to the survey will receive a letter notifying them of this requirement.

Peru, NY  At the Peru Town Board’s Thursday, October 10 meeting, the board presented a 2025 preliminary budget exceeding the 2% tax cap by $114,000. Six days later, at a Wednesday, October 16 workshop, Supervisor Craig Randall announced that after lowering budgeted contingency spending, including a more accurate sales tax estimate, utilizing fund balances, and making more precise estimates in other accounts, the preliminary budget is $3,000 under the tax cap. The tax levy would be $89,177 higher than this year, $2,763 417 vs. $2,674,240.

Randall cautioned that keeping the 2026 budget under the tax cap will be more difficult given upcoming culvert repairs, water treatment, and wastewater treatment upgrades. He stated, “None of the expenditures are by choice. The four culvert replacement projects could total up to $10 million, but the last thing I want to see is someone injured because of a culvert collapse. We’re also facing expenditures up to $10 million at the water plant and $25 million at the wastewater plant.”  Randall is hopeful grants may lower some of the water-related costs. Nevertheless, the town will face funding challenges,

The board agreed to hold a public hearing on the preliminary budget on November 4 at 5:30 p.m. A special meeting to adopt the final budget is planned for Tuesday, November 14, at 5:30 p.m. Changes can be made within 10 days following the public hearing.

In other actions at its October 10 regular meeting, the board agreed to join other Clinton County towns in requesting that the state exempt heavy-duty highway equipment from its electricity-powered vehicle requirements. Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell said New York City’s experiment with electric trucks failed. Given our colder temperatures, Farrell says using electric vehicles would be costly, impractical, and would cripple snow plowing operations.

The board tabled a resolution to renew its Clinton County snow and ice removal contract for three years, with a 2.5 percent price increase for years one and two and a 4 percent increase in the third year. Peru plows about 23 miles of county highways. Highway Superintendent Michael said he doesn’t have issues renewing for three years, but some other towns have concerns.

Planning for the Fuller Road and Lions Road culvert replacement projects continues. The board hired Machabee Land Surveying to conduct topographical surveys at a cost not to exceed $3,500 for each culvert.

Tedford Consulting will prepare grant applications for the Wastewater Treatment Plant project for $100 an hour, with a total cost not exceeding $24,500.

November 3, 2024 Correction: The Gazette initially reported that the board approved the Clinton County snow and ice removal contract; in fact, the board tabled it. 

Click here to review the PRELIMINARY 2025 BUDGET

Use caution if you’re planning on doing any outdoor burning

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Macaroni & Cheese

Fruit 

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!

Jacob J. Davies swerved trying to avoid hitting a deer

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