The Peru Gazette

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Original six-week construction delay now anticipated through the summer

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Peru Gazette March 2024 file photo

Peru Gazette March 2024 file photo

Peru Gazette March 2024 file photo

Seven of ten municipalities received a 90-day cancellation notice

Sheltering legislation due to go into effect in December 2025 has forced Elmore SPCA to make some difficult decisions regarding services provided to Clinton County municipalities.  In a recent New York State Animal Protection Federation (NYSAPF) consultant review of the Elmore facility and its operations, it was made clear that immediate action was necessary to show a good faith attempt to move towards compliance with the new regulations.

• Reduce its animal population
• Eliminate use of some areas of the shelter
• Reduce dog control services for future population control

The Elmore facility is of our greatest concern. The new law specifically addresses shelter space and the shelter facility environment for both dogs and cats.  Left unaddressed Elmore SPCA closure by NYS Agriculture & Markets is certain.

With less than an 18-month deadline, some at NYSAPF and NYS Agriculture & Markets are indicating shelters working towards compliance will not likely be immediately shut down, but no one knows what facility or time allowances will be given.

Elmore has concerns that some NYS shelters will resort to euthanasia to be operationally compliant with the new legislation, as the short-term holding of animals has more facility leniency.  Elmore is steadfast in our commitment against euthanasia as a solution.

Our board and shelter employees are prioritizing and moving to take appropriate action to get our current facility to operate within guidelines, even though it means that we will have to greatly reduce the number of animals we will be able to help.  Areas of concentration will begin with modification to existing kennel space, HVAC system, emergency power availability and noise controls.

All municipalities will continue to provide dog control services, unfortunately Elmore SPCA is no longer able to continue to be the shelter service provider at these locations.

•             Town of AuSable
•             Town of Beekmantown
•             Town of Champlain/Rouses Point
•             Town of Chazy
•             Town of Dannemora
•             City of Plattsburgh
•             Town of Plattsburgh

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Note: A list of key highlights and takeaways is available at lcbp.org/press.

Grand Isle, VT – The Patrick Leahy Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP) released today’s 2024 State of the Lake and Ecosystem Indicators Report. Drawing on the most recent scientific data, the report provides a comprehensive assessment of the condition of Lake Champlain.

The report documents ongoing challenges and recent successes in managing the lake’s water quality and ecosystem. Produced every three years, it reflects the most current scientific data and resource management approaches. The report’s Ecosystem Indicators Scorecard provides the status and trend for key water quality and ecosystem parameters.

Dr. Eric Howe, NEIWPCC Program Director of the Lake Champlain Basin Program, said, “Sound science and evidence-based management are more important than ever. The 2024 State of the Lake Report provides a timely update on what the data is telling us about our progress and remaining challenges in protecting clean water and habitat in the Lake Champlain basin.”

“The State of the Lake provides high-quality information to guide EPA and our partners on how to improve water quality and conserve important habitat for people who live, work, and play in the Basin,” said EPA Region 1 Regional Administrator David W. Cash. “While the data shows improvements in water quality and fish and wildlife habitat, we still have a lot of work to do, including significantly further reductions in nutrient pollution to the lake.”

“Lake Champlain is a jewel, and EPA is proud to continue to address and improve water quality from harmful run-off and other challenges facing the lake,” said EPA Region 2 Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. “As this report illustrates, conditions in the lake are improving but threats like climate change remain.”

“The State of the Lake Report is an important resource for understanding the health of the Lake Champlain ecosystem,” said Agency of Natural Resources Secretary Julie Moore. “This report brings together valuable data from all three jurisdictions that surround Lake Champlain – Vermont, New York and Quebec – painting a comprehensive picture of lake health and providing insights that guide our shared work that will help restore and sustain Lake Champlain for generations to come.”

“DEC and the Lake Champlain Basin Program have worked together for decades to address water quality and environmental challenges facing Lake Champlain,” New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar said. “As the impacts of climate change present real and tangible challenges to protect our waterways, I join all of the partners of this program in celebrating the successes noted in the most recent State of the Lake report and the collective efforts to protect and support this vital body of water and the watershed system that feeds it.”

Marie-Claude Francoeur, Québec Delegate to New England, said, “It is with great enthusiasm that the Québec government welcomes the release of the 2024 State of the Lake and Ecosystem Indicators Report. We look forward to continue actively working with our partners from Vermont and New York State on the management of the Lake Champlain and its basin for the benefit of current and future generations. I want to once again thank and congratulate the LCBP team and the various committees for their efforts towards the many successes highlighted in the report as well as their tireless work tackling the challenges that remain.”

Susan Sullivan, NEIWPCC Executive Director, said, “NEIWPCC is excited that the State of the Lake report continues to show the work that NEIWPCC’s Lake Champlain Basin Program and our partners do to support the watershed.”

The impacts of climate change are among the greatest challenges. The lake—which froze over nearly every year in the past—now freezes once every five years and is expected to freeze over just once per decade by 2050.

More frequent and intense rainstorms like those experienced in the Lake Champlain Basin in 2023 will likely cause increased erosion and nutrient loading to the lake. Warmer air and lake temperatures work against efforts to reduce the occurrence of cyanobacteria blooms, which continue to close beaches on the hottest summer days.

Despite these challenges, water quality monitoring on the lake provides hope in some areas that historically have been problematic. For example, while still higher than the target, phosphorus concentrations in Missisquoi Bay show a general downward trend since 2018.

The report includes several other positive findings on clean water and ecosystem health. Mercury levels in all monitored sport fish have returned to a downward trend, after an upward trend observed in the 2018 report.

Atlantic salmon are native to Lake Champlain and prized by anglers, but wounding by sea lamprey has contributed to population declines. Wounding rates have been below targeted limits for the last three years, improving the viability of restoration efforts.

No new aquatic invasive species (AIS) have been documented since 2018, despite threats from AIS in surrounding water bodies. The round goby, an aquatic invasive of particular concern, is “on the doorstep” of Lake Champlain. Partners throughout the basin are working proactively to prevent its introduction.

A healthy Lake Champlain relies on communities that have the capacity to implement programs to protect the Basin’s resources and individuals who are involved as stewards of the Lake. The 2024 State of the Lake reports that residents are aware of water quality challenges and prioritize clean water in their communities, but more work is needed to transform awareness into action.

New programs that provide free access to recreation and cultural resources are increasing lake enjoyment and participation in its management. Multilingual outreach and messaging are helping to better inform members of diverse communities about fishing regulations, water quality, and human health.

The report follows the framework of the LCBP’s management plan Opportunities for Action, which defines the following four goals: Clean Water, Healthy Ecosystems, Informed and Involved Public, and Thriving Communities. It is informed by the expertise of dozens of scientific and resource management partners.

Free copies of the 2024 State of the Lake Report are available by calling the Lake Champlain Basin Program at (802) 372-3213. An electronic version may be found at sol.lcbp.org. A French version of the full document will be posted online in late June.

For more information, please call Eric Howe at (802) 372-3213 or email ehowe@lcbp.org.

Will take the helm of the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism July 15

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Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell anticipates the completion date of the closed Telegraph Road Bridge for July 2026. According to Farrell, acquiring DEC and the Army Corps. permits, along with the design, engineering, and construction, will take approximately two years. On May 29, the board hired C&S Engineering to design and oversee the project at a cost not exceeding $245,000.

The board approved financing of water treatment plant upgrades, which are estimated to cost up to $9.4 million. The engineering firm Barton and Loguidice of Albany, NY, evaluated the necessary changes and will apply for grant funding on behalf of the town. Hopefully, this significant investment will ensure the town’s compliance with all water quality laws. See the Peru Gazette story for details. 

As reported by the Peru Gazette on May 29, Town Supervisor Brandy McDonald announced his decision to step down this September or October. McDonald’s cited downsizing, not finding a suitable home in Peru, finding one in Plattsburgh, and the fact that he and his wife work in Plattsburgh as reasons for his decision. He said he loves Peru and its people, but this decision is right.

The town is purchasing two electronic message signs for the highway department from Donnelly Construction for $14,000 each. The signs are new and still in their original packing.

Recreation Director Kristen Marino reported that “all summer sports are through the roof, including tennis, arts and crafts and soccer.  Two hundred sixty-seven youths signed up for soccer, so much so that she’s planning to reopen registration on July 1. Marion also plans to add two boys Pony League teams.

The board accepted NYSE&G’s proposal to install 19 LED street lights in the hamlet at $2,418.97 (total cost). Pam Barber reported that the NYS Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) awarded Peru a $10,000 grant because of the town’s previous energy conservation upgrades.

The Peru Town Market’s community use application for Heyworth Mason Park was approved at $100 per occasion. Town Markets are scheduled for June 30, July 28, August 25, September 15, and October 20.

Code Enforcement Officer Bob Guynup reported that one resident submitted a Letter of Interest to serve as an Alternate Zoning Board of Appeals member.  One more alternate is needed. The interested person read the Peru Gazette’s editorial on the need for volunteers.

At 6:55 PM, the meeting adjourned to an executive session regarding a personnel issue.

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Nily Rozic today announced the Assembly has passed Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation (SAFE) for Kids Act and the New York Child Data Protection Act to help protect kids from addictive social media feeds and digital monitoring which could follow them for the rest of their lives. The passage of these is the first significant advancement in online child protection in New York since the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule (COPPA) went into effect in 2000.

“As technology evolves, so must the ways we protect our kids from harm – both on and offline,” Speaker Heastie said. “These bills will give parents the tools to help protect kids from predatory practices that impact their mental health by eliminating the addictive personalized feeds and will make online privacy the default for New York’s children, preventing companies from collecting and using their data. Thank you to our Assembly sponsor Nily Rozic and to Governor Kathy Hochul, Attorney General Letitia James and our partners in the Senate for all the work they’ve done on this to make online spaces safer for kids.”

“We must do all that we can to protect our kids from the harmful influence of addictive algorithms and unchecked data collection, the passage of the SAFE for Kids Act and the NY Child Data Protection Act are the straightforward first step in that effort,” said Assemblymember Rozic. “These new laws signal that New York is taking the lead in putting New Yorkers’ safety and privacy at the forefront. I thank Speaker Heastie, Governor Hochul, Attorney General James, and Senator Gounardes for their collaborative efforts in order to protect young people in the digital age.”

“Our children are enduring a mental health crisis, and social media is fueling the fire and profiting from the epidemic,” said Attorney General James. “The legislation my team worked on and supported along with bill sponsors Senator Gounardes and Assemblymember Rozic will help address the addictive features that have made social media so insidious and anxiety-producing. I applaud Governor Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Heastie, and the legislative majorities for supporting this legislation and for agreeing that protecting children’s mental health must be a top priority. New York state is once again leading the nation, and I hope other states will follow suit and pass legislation to protect children and put their mental health above big tech companies’ profits.”

Social media platforms have developed addictive, personalized feeds that are designed to keep users engaged on the platform. These feeds have been tied to higher rates of depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation and self-harm in children. The SAFE for Kids Act (A.8148, Rozic) will prohibit social media platforms from providing these addictive feeds to children younger than 18 without parental consent. It would also require platforms to obtain parental consent in order to send notifications to children between 12:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.

The New York Child Data Protection Act (A.8149, Rozic) will ensure that privacy is the default for minors, protecting their privacy and personal data by prohibiting online sites from collecting, using, sharing or processing the data of individuals under the age of 18. This will keep websites and digital services from keeping a record children’s online lives and decisions that could potentially be used against them.

According to school employees, the police wanted the reenactment ‘to be as realistic as possible.’

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The Peru CSD Board of Education will hold its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, June 11th, 2024, at 5:45 PM in the High School Community Room. An executive session is anticipated immediately following the 5:45 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, June 11th. Online comments are also subject to the conditions stated above.

Anticipated topics include:

• Public Hearing on the Districtwide Emergency Response Plan
• Personnel Appointments
• Recognition of Retirees
• AI & Athletics Presentations

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

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; Banking Reports, and JCEO);

5. MOTION:  Acceptance of Minutes for the Public Hearing of May 29 and Regular Meeting of May 29, 2024.

6. Community Input. 

7. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Rescind Resolution #24.05.13-8 for General Carbon Company.

8. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Accept Proposal from Carbon Activated Corporation.

9. DISCUSSION:  Peru JCEO Moving Locations.

10. DISCUSSION:  Other Business.

11. DISCUSSION:  Public Comments on Agenda Items Only.

12. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Pay June 2024 Bills.

13. MOTION:  Adjourn to Executive Session.

14. MOTION:  Return from Executive Session. 

15. MOTION: Adjourn Meeting.

By John T Ryan

Peru, NY  The day’s question was, “Do our guests think the unique ‘Sweethearts and Heroes’ leadership program, with its social-emotional learning focus, would be helpful in their workplaces?” On Friday, May 31, Peru School District Leadership Program participants welcomed business, government, and education officials to observe a program that school administration and staff say has significantly impacted the school over the past four years. High School Principal Matt Berry stated, “Some people think a school may not be the place to do this. I’m here to say that this may be the most important thing we do in our school.”

Berry related one experience: “One day, a worker was applying school decals near the front entrance. He remarked, ‘We work at a lot of high schools. Your kids are very nice.'” Berry said students are taking “healthy risks,” they’re more self-aware, and they make better-informed decisions than four years ago. Program Co-leader Jenifer Guay described a new, positive climate.  She commented, “Our students have molded a culture of positivity and support. We realize some days are going to be good, and some days are going to be bad. Everyone feels supported.” Both Berry and Guay said there has been a similar change among faculty members.

Sweethearts and Heroes founder Tom Murphy has visited Peru Central several times. He couldn’t attend Friday’s program but spoke via video. Murphy said, “Everyone knows a kid who’s struggling. Our message is about young people helping other young people when adults aren’t around. We teach people how to talk, listen, and be there with them. Our circles do that. They teach them to be vulnerable, care, and have compassion for one another.”

Guests participated in several ‘Sweethearts and Heroes’ circles. Matt Berry’s words came to life.  They began with a fun game resembling musical chairs. The person remaining standing had to pose a question. Who was or is your childhood hero? What event got you into the most trouble when you were a kid? Have you ever played sick on a work or school day?  What was one of your worst decisions? The guests and students listened, revealed life experiences, and were vulnerable. Over just 40 minutes, empathy and understanding grew. Students appeared to realize that successful adults make the same mistakes and undergo some of the same challenges they’re experiencing. The young people didn’t feel alone in their struggles.

Friday’s guests included State Senator Dan Stec, State Assemblyman Billy Jones, NYS School Area 6 Board Director Wayne Rogers,  NYS Regent Roger Catania, Foundation of CVPH Member Mrs. Julie Huttig, United Malt Executive President Bryan Bechard, SUNY Plattsburgh Field Experience Coordinator Rachel Day, Fessette Realty Sales Agent Cara Gauthier and NAC teacher-coach Noah Bowes. In the circle, the Peru Gazette observed, Craig Duprey indicated he would be working on expanding the program at Peru Elementary School. Wayne Rogers said he’d bring it to Malone, where he taught biology and has served on the school board for many years.

Peru School District participants included several student leaders, Peru School Superintendent Scott Storms, High School Principal Matty Berry, Associate Principal Joha Battin, Elementary teacher Craig Duprey, and Leadership Program Leaders teachers Jenifer Guay, Adam Carter, and Anna Stitt (Ethan Depo, a leader couldn’t attend). The Foundation of CVPH helps fund the program.

Peru – CVPH Donor Center Blood Brive, Monday, June 10, from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at St. Augustine’s Parish Center, 3030 Main St. in Peru. All blood collected is utilized in our trl-county region.

The drive is being coordinated by St. Augustine’s Knights of Columbus Council 7273. 

Peru, NY Section 202B of NYS Law requires the Peru Town Board to conduct a Public Hearing regarding an estimated $9.4 million upgrade to the Reservoir Road water treatment plant (drinking water, not waste water).  The Clinton County Health Department mandated that the water district improve water clarity/turbidity. The board conducted the hearing on May 29, 2024, at 5:45 p.m.

On March 25, the town hired Barton and Loguidice of Albany, NY, to engineer the plant upgrades. John Frazer Jr. represented Barton and Loguidice at the hearing.

Mr. Frazer said that more severe storms have resulted in high turbidity over the past two decades, and many communities are experiencing the same issues. Barton and Loguidice recommended installing clarification equipment that will function before the existing filtration process. They also recommended drilling an on-site well. The plant’s new equipment will mix the well water with water from the existing reservoir. Frazer said the additional process would require more staffing once it’s online.

Barton and Loguidice must apply for funding with the NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation by June 14. Frazer said he also has other funding sources in mind. In response to a Peru Gazette question, Frazer said the cost to a typical user would be between $218.51 and $269.27 per quarter. He did not state his firm’s estimate of the tax rate cost to district users, saying it depends on the amount of outside funding received.

Frazer believes Peru has a good chance of being awarded funding because of the Health Department mandate. Ultimately, the town will finance any remaining costs through long-term borrowing, which is paid for by water district property owners.

Reservoir Rd. Resident Carl Bowen was the only resident appearing to ask questions.  Mr. Bowen shared his concerns about severe hard water issues with well-sourced water in Saranac Lake and Tupper Lake, which he said cost many extra thousands of dollars to treat. In response, Frazer reassured Mr. Bowen and the board that his firm had thoroughly considered the hardness issue. He explained that they do not anticipate hardness as a problem because the water entering the system will combine reservoir and well water.

Dozens of earthquakes like this one have happened in the area since the turn of the century

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Sentenced to two to six years! 

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