The Peru Gazette

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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

Approved Meeting Minutes added 1/19/25 – Minutes 2024-10-10-RM

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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On the first floor of a Siena College freshman dormitory, a dedicated staff of college students and retirees make hundreds of calls every night.

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Peru, NY – October 19, 2024—It was a beautiful day and turnout for today’s honoring of the late Chip Hamilton, with all proceeds benefitting the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation. Chip’s daughter Ruth Hamilton LaClair, with much help from her husband David, brother Mark, mom Patti, family, and friends, organizes the event hosted by the Peru Fire Department. 

Ruth began the Octoberfest Event in 2010 while her father was recovering from a lung transplant in Pittsburgh, PA. After spending four months in the UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, Chip succumbed to complications with the lung transplant on January 27, 2011.

Through the help and strength of family and friends, Ruth has continued the event each year in his memory.

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Opportunities available for college-bound students and those planning to enter workforce

PLATTSBURGH, NY (10/17/2024) – Peru High School students Madison Nephew and Reese Mason were fairly certain about the careers they’d be pursuing after graduation. Still, the University of Vermont Health Network’s (UVHN) recent Career Fair opened their eyes to the wide array of health care opportunities; for now, they’re reconsidering their options.

 “I had my mind set on anesthesiology. But coming here made me re-think that I might want to switch now because of the cool things I learned about here,” Mason said. The Lab and Labor and Delivery have peaked the high school junior’s interest.  “I didn’t realize those were jobs you can choose, so hearing about them and learning about them made me interested.”  Nephew came to the Career Fair focused on learning more about a career as a labor and delivery nurse but, she said, “The Laboratory also really caught my eye, so I’m thinking about that now.”

Nephew and Mason were two of a few hundred regional high school students who attended the Career Fair on Tuesday, Oct. 15, at Plattsburgh State University and engaged with healthcare professionals across the Network.

“Our goal is to expose high school students to all the opportunities in health care – from nursing and other clinical roles to careers many don’t think about, like nutrition, environmental services, engineering, IT, and clerical roles such as patient registration or patient accounting. These are just a few of the many career options available in our industry.  We believe this exposure will inspire students to explore the full spectrum of healthcare careers and help them make informed decisions about their future paths. Whether they plan to attend college after graduation or enter the workforce, we have options for everyone,” Network Manager of Talent Acquisition Katrina Stone explained.

Alice Hyde and CVPH President Michelle LeBeau said, “By sharing our passion for our work, we can encourage others to join us. This career fair showcased health care as a rewarding career—one that provides endless opportunities for professional growth while making a difference in our communities.”

Career fairs are part of the health system’s ongoing commitment to addressing the national chronic healthcare workforce shortage on a local level, fostering robust career opportunities for people in the region, and ensuring partner hospitals can continue to deliver care to their communities. The Network is also using a number of strategic initiatives, like the Workforce Development’s Career Pathways program, to attract and retain healthcare workers. Career Pathways offers job seekers and current employees the opportunity to gain the skills and education needed to establish rewarding careers in the industry or grow professionally. In some cases, pathway participants can work while receiving training and financial assistance.

Go to uvmhealthnetworkcareers.org for a complete list of available positions and information about the Workforce Development Program and Career Pathways.

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NYS DEC News

Today, batteries are everywhere and power almost everything. Many contain toxic metals that can be released into the environment when improperly disposed of. Therefore, it’s essential to know about the different types of batteries and how to manage them post-use. Remember, batteries do not go in home recycling bins when they are no longer usable. In New York, there are different options available for the safe and environmentally responsible management of end-of-life batteries depending on which category they fall under:

1. Single-use batteries (examples: alkaline, zinc-carbon, button-cell, coin, lithium (Li))—may be accepted for recycling at retail and municipal locations on a voluntary basis. Use the Call2Recycle to find drop-off locations, making sure to check the box for “primary” batteries.
2. Rechargeable batteries (examples: Li-ion, Ni-Cd, Ni-MH)—under the NYS Rechargeable Battery Law, covered rechargeable batteries or battery packs weighing <25 lbs., can be returned to any retail location that sells rechargeable batteries or rechargeable battery containing products for recycling at no cost to the consumer. Visit the Call2Recycle locator website for acceptance locations.
3. Lead-acid automotive batteries—under the NYS Lead-acid Battery Recycling Law, retailers and distributors of lead-acid batteries, must accept, free of charge, up to two used batteries per month from any individual, regardless of whether or not the individual purchases a new lead-acid battery.

Note: not only is bringing your used batteries for recycling the “right” thing to do, but it is actually illegal to dispose of rechargeable batteries, including automotive batteries, in the trash.

DEC offices use a battery recycling box to properly dispose of old batteries.

Recycle Right NY assists DEC in its outreach efforts to help ensure batteries are recycled  or disposed of properly. You can find more resources and related information about batteries on the Recycle Right New York website. A helpful feature is the Recyclopedia—a guide that provides reduction, reuse, and recycling instructions for many common household items.

Other Battery-related Considerations

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Inventory of vehicle revealed a loaded Ruger rifle and 70 rounds of ammo

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