The Peru Gazette

Additionally, any household that has qualified for Section 8, SNAP, SSI, Medicaid, or HEAP benefits automatically qualifies.

On Saturday, February 8, the Peru Free Library conducted the first of its 2025 Community Learning Series programs. Mark Hamilton described the HamilSun Solar Project and its many benefits, especially to low—and moderate-income households. Thank you to Marque Moffit, the library’s Community Learning Series Coordinator, for the following narrative.

2024 Photo Provided

CADYVILLE NY – Champlain Area Trails (CATS), an accredited land trust established in 2009, is dedicated to creating and maintaining trails, protecting land, connecting people with nature, and promoting economic vitality in the Champlain Valley. For the second consecutive year, CATS is offering a free beginner cross-country ski lesson during the school winter break.

This family-friendly event is suitable for participants aged 5 and older and will take place on Wednesday, February 19th, from 1 PM to 3 PM at the Cadyville Recreation Park, located at 114 Goddeau Road in Cadyville, NY. CATS is partnering with the Plattsburgh Parks & Recreation Department to present this exciting free opportunity for the community.

“Cross-country skiing is a fantastic way to enjoy the outdoors during the winter months and explore the beautiful trails in our region,” said Arin Burdo, Executive Director of CATS. “We’re thrilled to offer this free beginner lesson for the second year in a row to help introduce people of all ages to the sport and encourage them to get outside and experience the joys of winter recreation.”

Skiing equipment will be provided, but participants are encouraged to register early due to limited availability. While the event is free and open to the public, pre-registration is required.

Since its founding in 2009, CATS has established and maintained over 100 miles of trails, protected 3,000 acres of land, and hosted hundreds of hikes, outdoor education outings, and volunteer events, attracting thousands of visitors annually. The organization’s mission is to create and maintain trails, protect land, connect people with nature, and promote economic vitality in the Champlain Valley.

“Our free cross-country ski lesson is just one of the many ways we’re working to connect people with the natural beauty of the Champlain Valley,” added Arin. “We hope this event will inspire more people to get out and explore our trails, discover the joys of winter recreation, and appreciate the importance of land conservation and outdoor activities in our region and their own backyards.”

To register for the free beginner cross-country ski lesson or to learn more about CATS and its upcoming events, please visit the organization’s website at www.champlainareatrails.com.

Click here for the Adirondack Almanac story 

The Peru CSD Board of Education will hold its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the High School Community Room. An executive session is anticipated immediately following the 6:00 PM start, and the Board will reconvene for open public session business at approximately 7:00 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 cannot attend the regular meeting in person may submit public comments by emailing perucomments@perucsd.org no later than 12:00 Noon on Tuesday, February 11th. Online comments are also subject to the conditions stated above.

Anticipated topics include:

• District Goals
• Immigrant Students
• Academic Calendars
• Personnel Appointments
• Policies
• Smartphone Use

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

Click here for the WCAX story 

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Over the past decade, the number of older New Yorkers living in poverty has surged nearly 50 percent, nearly half of the state’s older adults report having no retirement income, and hundreds of thousands lack access to Social Security benefits.

Click here for the Center For an Urban Future report. The report story appeared in today’s Albany Times-Union. 

Four Clinton County men charged after allegedly arranging sexual encounters with underage youth

Click here for the Sun Community News story 

Knights thank everyone who attended today’s breakfast and express gratitude to local highway department personnel.

The St. Augustne’s Knights of Columbus are grateful to everyone who supported its Pancakes Plus breakfast, especially since about four inches of snow fell last night. They came for Peru, Schuyler Falls, Morrisonville, Cadyville, Plattsburgh, Dannemora, and other nearby communities.

Peru Highway Department snowplow operator Andrew McLaughlin, his wife Judeva, and their beautiful five children attended. Andrew had completed a plow run and said he’d make a second run after breakfast. Thanks to Andrew, the other Peru Highway Department members, and nearby town, county, and state highway department staff, people can easily travel, attend events, visit family, and enjoy the day.

2/20/25. 8:30 a.m. – Snowfall amount and Schuyler Falls included in the first paragraph.

Peru—St. Augustine’s Knights of Columbus will serve “Pancakes Plus” Breakfasts on Sunday, February 9, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at St. Augustine’s Parish Center. The January breakfast had a record turnout. Let’s see if we can set another record this month.
The menu includes Pancakes, Waffles, French Toast, Scrambled Eggs, Sausage, Bacon, home fries, Real Maple Syrup, Fruit Sauce, Coffee, Orange Juice, and Milk.

$10 for adults, $5 for children 5 to 11; children under 5 are Free. Take-outs are $10.

Click here for the Adirondack Almanac story 

The Peru CSD Board of Education’s Policy Committee will meet on Friday, February 7, 2025, at 8:00 AM in the District Office, in the High School Building. The meeting is for policy development. Various policies from the 0000, 2000, 7000, 8000, and 9000 series may be discussed.

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

Call Meeting to Order

Pledge of Allegiance

Roll Call

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; Banking Reports, and JCEO);

MOTION: Acceptance of Minutes for the Regular Meeting of January 27, 2025.

Community Input.

DISCUSSION: C & S Companies February 5, 2025, Project Status Report for Telegraph Rd. Project.

MOTION/DISCUSSION: Letter of Support for Verizon Fios Broadband.

RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Approval of Purchase of 2025 Truck for the W/S/V Dept.

DISCUSSION: Thank You Letter from Babbie Museum for Donation and Sponsorship Card for Town Council.

DISCUSSION: Other Business: Council, Dept. Heads

DISCUSSION: Department Head Comments.

DISCUSSION: Public Comments on Agenda Items Only.

RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Pay February 2025 Bills.

MOTION: Adjourn to Executive Session.

MOTION: Return from Executive Session.

MOTION: Adjourn Meeting.

Click here for the VTDigger story 

Department policies and procedures were adopted too late! 

Click here for the Syracuse.com story 

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Members of the New York-Canada Relations Task Force join members of the General Consul of Canada in New York’s delegation for a photo after a breakfast meeting.  

1/6/25 – Assemblyman Jones News Release – This week, Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateauguay Lake) welcomed the General Consul of Canada in New York, Tom Clark, in Albany. Joining Consul General Clark were Deputy General Geoff Gartshore, Quebec Delegate General David Brulotte, Consul and Senior Economic Officer of Ontario Trade and Investment Office in New York Aaron Pinto, and representatives from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

In celebration of the Consul General’s visit, Jones sponsored a Resolution to Proclaim Monday, February 3rd, as Canadian Heritage Day in New York. Trade with Canada supports 520,300 jobs, and more than 800 Canadian-owned companies employ 65,000 New Yorkers. Many of these jobs are right in the North Country’s manufacturing sector. New York also has $28 billion in exports and $50 billion in annual bilateral trade with Canada. Between trade, tourism and proximity to the border, New York has a special relationship with Canada that deserves to be recognized.

On Wednesday morning, Jones also hosted breakfast for the New York Canada Relations Task Force, during which members were able to have an important conversation with the Consul General and his delegation regarding the relationship between the state and Canada. Considering the recent 25 percent tariffs on Canadian goods proposed by the federal government that will impact heating oil, asphalt, cement, lumber, and other building materials and other goods vital to the North Country economy, this was an important discussion to figure out the next steps as we all navigate these new trade laws.

“I want to thank Consul General of Canada in New York Tom Clark and his delegation for returning to Albany to have important discussions about our future,” said Jones. “Canada is our largest trading partner – I oppose the tariffs proposed by the federal government because they will only hurt local businesses and bring higher costs to consumers. We have always had a great relationship with our northern neighbors, and I fear the recent issues with tariffs will be damaging. Our economies are so intertwined that our businesses and residents can prosper with proper trading policies. I will continue these conversations with Canadian leadership to ensure that the North Country is ready for what comes next.”

“I thank Assemblyman Billy Jones for his steadfast support for the strong and longstanding relationship between Canada and New York State,” said Consul General Clark. “Jones has demonstrated an unyielding commitment to protecting and enriching the economic and diplomatic ties that are essential to our mutual prosperity and security. We are equally committed to this relationship because we know we win together. This is a friendship that has stood the test of time, and we will continue to be good friends and neighbors.”

Click here for the NCPR story 

Click here for the NCPR story 

Registration closes April 15 

Click here for the Sun Community News story