Ripton school’s recruitment efforts fall short, compounding worries about its future

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            “I strongly oppose the Governor’s recent Executive Order declaring a state of emergency at correctional facilities and barring terminated New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (NYSDOCCS) from future employment at other state, county or local government agencies. This is an absolute ridiculous usurpation of local control and an overreach of executive power. The Executive Order is vindictive and must be reversed immediately.”  

By John T Ryan

Peru, NY – March 11, 2025 – “We do what we have fun doing.” That’s how Peru Town Historian Helen Nerska and volunteers Chris Mullen and Jackie Madison describe their work at the Peru historian’s office. The women, including Nerska, are unpaid volunteers who love local history and want to share it.

Helen Nerska, who also directs the Clinton County Historical Association, has been Peru’s Town Historian since August 2022, succeeding longtime historians Ron and Carol Allen.  Nerska commented, “Peru has an incredible history to share. I want people, especially future generations, to learn how hard those people worked, how important family was, and how they communicated. We want to share it and make it more available to people.”

Helen Allen Nerska grew up and resides at the Jabez Allen Homestead on Jabez Allen Road. A sign in the front yard reads, “Allen Homestead since 1788.” Seven Allen generations farmed its land. Chris Irwin Mullen’s parents, Kermit and Bertha, operated the beautiful Maplegrand Farm on Jarvis Road. Kermit was a leader in the local and state dairy industry. Mrs. Irwin worked on the farm, was a mother to six children, and cared for her parents and Kermit’s parents as they grew older. Sundays, she was the Peru Community Church’s organist. Jackie Madison, a great friend to Nerska and Mullen, is President of the North Country Underground Railroad Historical Association.

Over the past several months, Nerska, Mullen, and Madison have been unboxing, examining, organizing, filing, and cataloging hundreds of historical Peru documents, photographs, and artifacts. Nerska is developing a computer database listing all the historical items in the town’s possession and their location. They’ve uncovered long-forgotten Peru history, including some somewhat scandalous behavior.

Last year Nerska and Mullen staffed displays at the Peru Town Market, the Applefest, and the Babbie Museum, organized a hamlet walking tour, and conducted a “History Chats” series with Peru senior citizens. They’ll host another walking tour this summer, an open house at the Lyons Street one-room schoolhouse, and participate in the America 250 Celebration. The Revolutionary War Battle of Valcour Island occurred in Peru on October 11, 1776.

The ladies are also developing what Nerska calls a “mini-museum” on the town hall’s lower level. Visitors will enjoy historic photographs and artifacts, such as medicine bottles from Marsha’s pharmacy and photos of the Mason lumber mill, Peru’s business district, and the Valcour Summer Camp.

Helen Nerska praises her town historian predecessors, Ron and Carol Allen, Cora Stafford, John Roach, Hilda Curtis, Jane Metcalf, Nancy LaMar, and Eleanor Spaulding, for collecting and preserving the town’s possessions. She also thanks Lincoln Sunderland for his many books detailing Peru’s history, which are invaluable resources. Nerska said, “We treasure everything they preserved.

Helen Nerska, Chris Mullen, and Jackie Madison warmly invite the community to visit the historian’s office. “We always enjoy it when people come to visit. We want people to know they can share their history with us, and we’ll share ours with them.”

The office is open every Monday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. or by appointment. Phone 518-643-2745 Ext. 108. Nerska’s cell number is 513-582-7246. Email: historian@perutown.com

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TOWN OF PERU

1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. ROLL CALL
4. APPROVAL  February  2025 minutes
5. OPEN FLOOR to public hearing
6. APPLICATIONS:

1. P2025-0003   2-Lot Minor Subdivision
Ashley
Yanulavich
267.-1-3.21
606 Patent Rd
2. P2025-0004   2-Lot Minor Subdivision
Doreen James
280.-1-27.11
128 Barker Rd
3. P2025-0005  2-Lot Minor Subdivision
Doreen James
280.-1-46
2814 NYS Route 22
4. P2025-0006 Merge
Doreen James
280.-1-27.11 &280.-1-46
Barker Rd and NYS 22
5. P2025-0007 2-Lot Minor Subdivision
Ruth Relation
255.-2-15
85 Conners Rd
6.P2025-0008 Merge Michael
Wells
255.-2-18.22
57 Conners Rd

7.  ANY FURTHER BUSINESS
8.  CEO REPORT
ADJOURNMENT

TOWN OF PERU

1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. ROLL CALL
4. APPROVAL of January 2025 minutes
5. OPEN FLOOR to public hearing
6. APPLICATIONS:

1. Z2025-104 Special Use Permit NY RSA2 Cellular Partnership
d/b/a Verizon Wireless
Valcour Rest Area

7. CEO REPORT
8. ADJOURNMENT

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) 

Clinton County, March 11, 2025. The Clinton County Health Department (CCHD) and their local partners are working closely to monitor Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), also known as H5N1 or bird flu, in Clinton County and to share educational messages with poultry and dairy farms and workers, health care providers, and the community. 

HPAI has been widespread in the state for several years and is circulating across the country. This strain of influenza virus has spread from wild birds into poultry, dairy cattle, domestic cats and many species of wildlife. Rarely, it has passed to humans who had direct contact with infected birds and mammals, including dairy cows, and caused illness. At this time, there is no evidence that HPAI has spread from person to person in the United States. To date, in New York, there have been no human cases of HPAI and no detections in cattle. 

“HPAI has been present among wild birds in the North Country, in small numbers, since 2022. Clinton County has not seen HPAI cases in domestic poultry, cattle, or other mammals,” explained Director of Public Health Jeffrey Sisson. “While residents may be hearing about HPAI outbreaks in other parts of the state or country, in Clinton County, current activity among wild birds remains within expected levels for our community. The risk to the public is low.” 

In New York, Department of Health (NYSDOH), the Department of Agriculture and Markets (NYSAGM), and the Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) are working together to protect the health of people and animals across the State. As part of this response, NYSDEC launched a web-based HPAI reporting tool earlier this year to identify the virus in novel bird species and locations. Residents can report any findings of dead birds, especially multiple birds in one place, using this tool. 

The DEC advises the public to avoid any contact with sick or dead birds and mammals that may be infected with HPAI. Residents can further minimize the risk of spreading HPAI by preventing contact between sick or dead wildlife and domestic animals. Limit contact with these animals unless necessary, and keep children and pets away. If carcasses need to be removed, use a shovel (if available) and wear disposable gloves, a mask, and eye protection; wash hands and clothing immediately after and triple-bag carcasses and put them in an outdoor trash receptacle. 

Residents that keep backyard poultry flocks can visit https://agriculture.ny.gov/animals/poultry for more information to help prevent the spread of the disease within their flocks. “While our commercial poultry farms have strict biosecurity and monitoring measures in place, we know we have many residents who keep poultry at their homes,” added Mr. Sisson. “These residents should review their biosecurity plans and take “Working Together for a Healthier Community” – 2 – 

precautions to protect their birds, including keeping their flock completely separated from wild birds.” To report sick or dead poultry, call the NYSAGM at (518) 457-3502. 

“Again, the risk to the public right now is low,” emphasized Mr. Sisson. “We want to assure our residents that we are paying close attention to the current situation and will share any updates on the impact to human health as appropriate.” 

For more information about H5N1 avian influenza, visit https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/influenza/avian/. 

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Michigans

Salads 

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!

In 2020 the property was listd for sale at $100 million 

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Kyle Kapitanski is set to be arraigned next week on a felony charge stemming from the crash that killed Sean Hayes, a cyclist, in South Burlington.

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The Clinton County Historical Association (CCHA) invites you to say, “I do,” to its newest exhibition. 

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Plattsburgh, NY- Connor Baehre, a high school junior from Peru Central School, has been selected to attend this year’s Students Inside Albany Conference sponsored by the League of Women Voters of New York State Education Foundation, Inc. Annika Pair from Northern Adirondack Central School has been chosen 1^st alternate and Lino Caputo from Boquet Valley Central School has been chosen 2^nd alternate. The 23rd annual conference will run May 18-21, and brings forty-five students from across the state to Albany to get a first-hand education about New York State government. The program is designed to increase high school awareness of their responsibility in representative government and provide information about the tools necessary for meeting that responsibility.

While at the conference, students will join their peers in a hands-on learning experience about how state government works. Students will participate in a series of interactive lectures on topics such as the state budget process, the role of lobbyists in the legislative process, citizen rights to access government information, the role of media in politics, and the move to reform state government. While in Albany, the students will have an opportunity to tour the New York State Capitol. The highlights for most students include shadowing their Senator and Assembly Member for an afternoon and attending sessions on the Chamber floors.

For more information on the League of Women Voters of the North Country, please contact Helen Nerska at allenhomestead@gmail.com. For more information on the League of Women Voters of New York State Education Foundation or the Students Inside Albany program, please visit www.lwvny.org.

The League of Women Voters of New York State is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages the informed and active participation in government, increases understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. The League of Women Voters does not support or oppose candidates or political parties. Membership is open to all and provides the opportunity to be active and involved in local, state and national issues.

3/11/25, 8 PM – Headline Corrected. Baehre was incorrectly spelled.

Customers Rounded Up Change at Checkout to Benefit Wildfire-specific Fund, plus Market 32/Price Chopper donated $10K

[SCHENECTADY, N.Y., March 7, 2025] Market32/Price Chopper customers at all locations across six states responded to the call for contributions to the American Red Cross California Wildfire Fund with customary generosity, donating $63,338.77. Market 32/Price Chopper added $10,000, bringing the total donation to $73,338.77.

According to CAL FIRE, historically destructive wildfires across Los Angeles and Ventura Counties in January scorched 58 square miles and destroyed more than 16,000 structures, displacing hundreds of thousands and claiming the lives of 29 people.

The American Red Cross is on the ground, operating disaster recovery centers and providing emergency shelter, meals and snacks, emotional support, and financial assistance. Customers were invited to round up their change to support these efforts from January 19—February 15, 2025.

“At Market 32/Price Chopper, we believe in stepping up in times of crisis, and we are grateful to our customers for standing alongside us in support of the American Red Cross California Wildfire Fund,” said Blaine Bringhurst, Market 32/Price Chopper president. “Compassion and shared humanity connect us, no matter the distance. The destruction and devastation are difficult to comprehend, and we’re incredibly proud of these results and the impact this funding will have in supporting those who have endured great loss.”

“When thousands of Southern Californians faced the devastating loss of their homes and communities, the American Red Cross was there meeting their urgent need for food, shelter, and mental health services, ensuring no one had to face this heartbreak alone,” said Kevin Coffey, Regional Chief Executive Officer, American Red Cross Eastern New York Region. “We are so grateful to Market 32/Price Chopper and their customers for their generosity and ongoing support for our critical mission. Their support ensures we can be there for our neighbors in need 24/7, bringing hope and healing when needed most.”

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 Regular Meeting of January 27, 2025.

6. Community Input. 

7. DISCUSSION/MOTION: Girl Scout Presentation of Tree Frog Hotel Project.

8. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Approval of AES Northeast to Advertise the Mechanical Contract for the Peru WWTP Project for Re-Bid March 28, 2025.

9. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Declaring the Town of Peru’s Jenkins St. Property as Surplus and List for Sale.

10. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Purchase of Hot Water Pressure Washer for Replacement of Current Steam Jenny. 

11. DISCUSSION: Update on the Telegraph Rd. Culvert Project by C & S Engineers.

12. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Approval of Ashley Akey for Renewal of Term for Peru Youth Commission.

13. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Approval of Alexis Grennan for Renewal of Term for Peru Youth Commission. 

14. DISCUSSION: Other Business: Council Comments

15. DISCUSSION: Other Business: Department Head Comments.

16. DISCUSSION: Public Comments on Agenda Items Only.

17. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Pay March 2025 Bills.

18. MOTION: Adjourn to Executive Session.

19. MOTION: Return from Executive Session. 

20. MOTION: Adjourn Meeting.

Michelle Babbie, RN Receives DAISY Award

MALONE, NY (03/07/2025) – Mary Tashjian heard the devastating news about her Uncle Tom and rushed to the hospital. Thomas Garland was unresponsive as he arrived at the Emergency Department (ED) by ambulance at The University of Vermont Health Network – Alice Hyde Medical Center. Tashjian and other family members were told he wouldn’t make it.

Michelle Babbie, RN, working in the ED that night, learned about the situation and immediately ensured Garland and his loved ones could have the peace and privacy they needed in those heartbreaking moments. That is why Tashjian nominated Babbie for The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses, and Babbie was presented the honor during a surprise ceremony with her colleagues this week.

Babbie knew how busy the ED was, so she wanted to take her patient and his family somewhere quiet and comfortable. She secured permission to move them to the Ambulatory Surgery Unit (ASU), which was not in use at the time. This gave the patient and loved ones a peaceful setting to say their goodbyes to Uncle Tom.

“Michelle went above and beyond in giving the family a private place to gather and comfort each other while Uncle Tom passed. She gave compassionate care to Tom, her patient, and the many family members there,” Tashjian writes in her nomination of Babbie.

The care was especially meaningful for the family, which has a deep connection to Alice Hyde. Garland’s wife, Hallie, is retired after working in many different areas of the hospital, including the ASU. His granddaughter, Giselle Croteau, worked in maternity at Alice Hyde.

“She took care of one of our own, and it meant the world to the family members,” Tashjian adds.

During the award presentation, Babbie was presented with a certificate commending her as an extraordinary nurse. Like all honorees, she also received a DAISY Award pin and a beautiful and meaningful sculpture called “A Healer’s Touch,” which was hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe.

Alice Hyde launched the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses in 2022 to recognize and reward licensed nurses who make a meaningful difference in the lives of their patients. Nomination forms and boxes are located at each of the hospital’s main entrances and online at UVMHealth.org/AHMCDaisy. Patients, families, and colleagues may nominate nurses. A committee reviews nominations and awards a deserving nurse each quarter.

The award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s mission to recognize the extraordinary, compassionate nursing care they provide patients and families every day. The DAISY Foundation is a national not-for-profit organization, established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, by family members. Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), a little known but not uncommon auto-immune disease (DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System). The care Patrick and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families. More information is available at DAISYfoundation.org.

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Officers on patrol noticed a donation box on fire in Glens Falls. When the fire department came to put it out, they found a body inside.

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DOCCS said anyone off the job who returns to work on March 7 will not face consequences

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The Peru CSD Board of Education will hold its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the High School Community Room. It is anticipated that an executive session will take place immediately following the 6:00 PM start, and that the Board will reconvene for open public session business at approximately 7:00 PM. A brief recess is also planned, shortly after reconvening at 7:00, for a review of the gym bleachers. 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 are unable to attend the regular meeting in person may submit public comments by emailing perucomments@perucsd.org no later than 12:00 Noon on Tuesday, March 11^th.  Online comments are also subject to the conditions stated above.

Anticipated topics include:

• 25-26 Budget Development

• SUNY Affiliation Agreement
• Personnel Appointments
• Policies
• CVES Board Vacancies

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