The Peru Gazette

Click here for the WCAX story 

Click here for the Hamilton Funeral Home obituary 

NYSCOPBA and multiple state and private agencies applaud the confirmation

Click here for the Sun Community News story 

L-R Assistant Coach Ethan Depo, Cooper Sweeney, Nick Palmer, Liam Clark, Patrick Clark, Nolan Miner, Brady O’Connell, Coach Ryon O’Connell

Congratulations to The Peru Nighthawks on winning Section 7 Sectionals on Thursday, May 23. 4 out of 6 players. Good luck to the golfers and Congrats to the team on their section win.

Peru Gazette 2023 file photo

By John T Ryan 

Peru—Highway Superintendent Michael announced his plan for highway paving at the town board’s May 13, 2024 meeting. Paving should begin in about three weeks. Until then, Peru will assist the Town of Ausable with its paving projects. Then, Ausable will assist Peru.  

Farrell’s initial project will involve paving the remaining half of John Boswell Road. Subsequently, he will lay a binder on Davern Road and pave Rock Road and Locust Drive.  

Farrell will use $404,000 in NYS Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) monies to pay for the projects. He commented, “When I run out of money, I’ll stop.”  Farrell relies on CHIPS money for virtually all the town’s paving projects. 

1. Call Meeting to Order
2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Roll Call 

4. MOTION/DISCUSSION:  

5. MOTION:  Acceptance of Minutes for the Regular Meeting of May 13, 2024. 

6. Community Input.

7. DISCUSSION:  4-H Free Food Kiosk Project. 

8. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: NYSEG LED Light Conversion Agreement.

9. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Hiring of C & S Engineers for the Replacement of Telegraph Rd. Bridge/Culvert.
10. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Resolution to Purchase (2) Hwy. Message Boards.

11. MOTION/DISCUSSION:  Acceptance of Use of Community Application for Heyworth Mason Park.

12. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Accept SEQR FOR Water Treatment Plant Project.

13. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:   202-B Proceedings Resolution.

14. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:   Approve Bond Resolution for Water Plant Improvements.

15. DISCUSSION:  Other Business.

16. DISCUSSION:  Public Comments on Agenda Items Only.

17. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: May 2024 Bills.

18. MOTION:  Adjourn to Executive Session.

19. MOTION:  Return from Executive Session. 

20. MOTION: Adjourn Meeting.

2015 Peru Gazette photo

By John T Ryan

The Town of Peru’s May 29 public hearing notice simply states that the hearing’s subject is a 202b matter. The 202b matter concerns upgrades to the water treatment plant on Reservoir Rd. This project is in addition to the $11 million to $25 million upgrades planned for the wastewater treatment plant.

The water treatment upgrades include expansion, new filtration equipment, a second water storage tank, and a supplemental well. In 2015, the town conducted a $3 million plant upgrade. Click here for the Peru Gazette’s 2016 story.  Residents can ask questions at the May 29, 5:45 p.m. public hearing.

Click here for the Adirondack Explorer story 

The Peru Gazette used syracuse.com’s calculator to determine Clinton County schools’ 2024-25 spending per pupil. Syracuse.com calculated per pupil spending by dividing each district’s total budget by its total enrollment. Per pupil spending at smaller schools is generally higher. for example, Lake Placid, with a 546 pupil enrollment, budgeted $41,025 per pupil.

They ranked 668 schools. The lower the rank, the higher the spending per pupil.

Northern Adirondack – $33,232 – Enrollment 835 – Rank 336
Ausable Valley – $33,196 – Enrollment 1,142 – Rank 340
Peru – $31,526 – Enrollment 1,716 – Rank 415
Plattsburgh – $30,117 – Enrollment 1,749 – Rank 492
Chazy – $29,989 – Enrollment 465 – Rank 496
Northeastern Clinton – $29,746 – Enrollment 1,225 – Rank 503
Saranac – $29,353 – Enrollment 1,470 – Rank 524
Beekmantown – $28, 005 – Enrollment 1,975 – Rank 567

Click here for the Syracuse.com story 

Syracuse.com calculated per pupil spending by dividing each district’s total budget by its total enrollment.

Breeze Airways is launching a new direct flight from Burlington to Raleigh-Durham

Click here for the MYNBC5 story 

Peru – CVPH Donor Center Blood Brive, Monday, June 10, 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 local trl-county region.  Your neighbors appreciate and need your support. 

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

Click here for the MYNBC5 story 

The Clinton Community College Board of Trustees has named Ken Knelly as administrator in charge, succeeding John Kowal as president. Knelly, currently chief of staff at SUNY Plattsburgh and Special Adviser to SUNY for the Clinton Community College Transition, has been leading the work of planning for a new location by the college’s fall 2025 semester. His appointment is effective Thursday, May 23.

The board on Wednesday accepted the resignation of Kowal, who was named president in March 2022. Kowal joined the college in 2018 as vice president for academic affairs. He served as administrator in charge from late 2021 to his appointment after the departure of former President Ray DiPasquale.

Clinton Community College Board Chair David Favro said, “Ken is the right person at the right time for this role. He has led us to the point of an identified location and through other key steps. The job of getting Clinton Community College healthy and completing the work of locating on the SUNY Plattsburgh campus is emerging as a single leadership task, and he is up for the role. We also thank John for his efforts on behalf of the college and wish him the best in the next stage of his career.” 

Site Determined for New Location

After thoroughly evaluating potential sites, including Algonquin, Banks and Adirondack Halls, SUNY has approved plans to move forward for a new Clinton Community College location at Redcay Hall on Beekman Street and an adjacent house at 133 Court Street. This choice allows Clinton to maintain its distinct identity while providing SUNY Plattsburgh opportunities to reallocate significant resources and repurpose existing facilities.

The decision enables SUNY Plattsburgh to retain and strategically reallocate substantial funds and priorities in a timely manner. Algonquin could be repurposed into an admissions-focused area adjacent to housing, residence halls, dining centers, and parking. Additionally, the removal of Adirondack and Banks Halls, unoccupied former residence halls, will create new greenspace areas and reimagine the west end of campus in a generational change.

The consolidation of all of Clinton into a single, edge-campus location will streamline activities while requiring only limited lab use and minimal upgrades. The adjacent 133 Court Street house is also included in the planned transition, which would involve Clinton moving in by the summer of 2025.

About Ken Knelly

Knelly began his career at SUNY Plattsburgh in 2014, leading an integrated university marketing and communications team. He moved to the Office of the President in 2017, adding administrative responsibilities and later as chief of staff under President Alexander Enyed. He has served as Special Advisor to SUNY for the Clinton Community College Transition since February 2024. He earned an A.A. in Business from Essex Community College in Rossville, Md., a B.B.A. in Finance from the University of Minnesota-Duluth, and an M.A. in Public Policy from West Virginia University.

At SUNY Plattsburgh, he led the university’s external relations, served as a member of the president’s leadership team and co-chaired the university’s self-study committee for its reaffirmation of accreditation by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education in 2020-2022.

Knelly’s past experience includes more than a dozen years as a print journalist, including as a reporter, editor, and newsroom leader. Locally, he is the immediate past president of the Rotary Club of Plattsburgh and led a grassroots effort to bring high school girls’ lacrosse to Clinton County. He is a native of Baltimore, Md.

Editorial – John T Ryan 

Peru has a situation that could cost the Peru taxpayers millions of dollars. It’s hard to believe, but not having Alternate Zoning of Appeals members can result in approval delays and major and minor project cancellations, meaning the government’s cost is shared by fewer taxpayers.

The Zoning Board of Appeal has five members. One or more members sometimes ask to be excused for valid reasons. If two members are excused, the vote to approve a project must be unanimous. One negative vote would halt a project that could benefit a family, a business, and our community. 

Peru has needed more volunteers for the Zoning Board of Appeals for several months, but the response has been disappointing. Please consider stepping up and joining the Zoning Board of Appeals. One of the best aspects is meeting new people and learning more about your community. Send an email or letter expressing interest and outlining your background to Code Enforcement Officer Bob Guynup at peruzoning@perutown.com or to Bob at 3036 Main St., Peru, NY 12972. Bob’s phone number is 518-643-2745, Extension 3. 

Click here for the American Legion’s answers 

The website History.com states: 

Memorial Day is an American holiday observed on the last Monday of May. It honors the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Memorial Day 2024 will occur on Monday, May 27.

Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades. Unofficially, it marks the beginning of the summer season.

May 13, 2024 Peru Town Board Meeting. Deputy Supervisor Jim Douglass chaired the meeting. Supervisor Brandy McDonald was ill and could not attend the meeting.

The Peru Gazette will write up the most important items as soon as time permits. They include Lake Champlain Transportation’s request to construct 200 slips at Snug Harbor Marina, scheduling a public hearing for $9+ million improvements to the Reservoir Rd. water treatment plant, employee sick leave policy changes, water system lead pipes and connector inventory, and this summer’s road paving plans.

May 27—Don’t forget the Memorial Day service on May 27th—Memorial Day @ 11 a.m., followed by a luncheon serviced by the Auxiliary. Everyone is welcome!!!!!!