The Peru Gazette

Hotels in Clinton County are reporting a surge in bookings, with nearly 95 percent of rooms already reserved.

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1/6/24 Peru Gazette Photo – L-R – Town Attorney Matt Favro (who came to the meeting after coaching a youth basketball team), Counselors Melvin Irwin and Kregg Bruno, Supervisor Brandy McDonald, Town Clerk/Tax Collector Dianne Miller, Councelors James Douglass and Eric Duquette.

1. Call Meeting to Order
2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Roll Call 

4. MOTION:  Acceptance of Minutes for the Regular Meeting of February 5, 2024.

5. Community Input. 

6. DISCUSSION/MOTION:  NYS Pro-Housing Communities Program.

7. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:   Essex County Snowplowing Contract Approval.

8. DISCUSSION:  AARCH Summer Tours  – Peru. 

9. DISCUSSION:  Other Business.

10. DISCUSSION:  Public Comments on Agenda Items Only.

11. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: February 2024 Bills.

12. MOTION: Adjourn Meeting.

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MonsterInsights Summary for January 2024 just received:

Website Traffic Summary
January 1, 2024 – January 31, 2024
https://www.perugazette.com

Total Sessions 9K, Increase in sessions: 28%
vs. the previous 31 days

Total Pageviews 15k, Increase pageviews: 53%
vs. the previous 31 days

Total Engagements: 368,700, Increase engagements
21% vs. the previous 31 days

Shepherd’s Pie
Fruit
Bread
Desert

Served take-out only, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. (corrected) at St. Augustine’s Parish Center, 3030 Margaret St., Peru, NY 12972

All are welcome and encouraged to attend.

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“The data collected in June and July of 2014 found nearly half of the 172 dairy farm workers surveyed were paid below the state minimum wage (then $8.73); 40% worked seven days a week with no days off; 30% suffered a workplace injury or work-related illness; and 20% had experienced wage theft.” 

Heather Worley, RN, Ashleigh Leavine, BSN, RN, Elizabeth Trudeau, BSN, RN and Jennifer Laporte, RN (not pictured) were honored as the hospital’s first recipients of the DAISY Team Award during a surprise ceremony with their Med/Surg and Oncology co-workers.

Pictured from left to right: Heather Worley, RN; Ashleigh Leavine, BSN, RN; and Elizabeth Trudeau, BSN, RN.

Four Registered Nurses Honored for Compassionate Care Provided to Dying Patient 

PLATTSBURGH, NY (2/16/2024) – A group of four registered nurses who helped a dying mother spend her final days in peace and comfort while offering hugs and support to her daughters being left behind has been honored with the first DAISY Team Award at The University of Vermont Health Network – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH). Ashleigh Leavine, RN, Jennifer Laporte, RN, Elizabeth Trudeau, RN and Heather Worley, RN were presented the award during a surprise ceremony with their Med/Surg and Oncology colleagues today.

Kelly Osterhaudt and Kelsey Trombley nominated the team. Their mother, Maureen Cluette, arrived at CVPH in May 2023, dying from kidney failure and suffering from Calciphylaxis, which is a rare and painful disease that can cause lesions, ulcers, and sores on her legs. Her doctor told both daughters that dialysis was not guaranteed to help, her legs may need to be amputated, and the Calciphylaxis would continue to spread throughout the body. Knowing that their mother was facing a difficult remaining quality of life and that she had a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) order, they decided to let nature take its course.

“There were many nurses and staff who took care of our mother during these nine days,” Osterhaudt and Trombley write in their nomination of the four nurses. “But there was a group that our family bonded with, and we will never forget them: Ashleigh, Heather, Jenn and Lizzie (Elizabeth) on R5.”

Osterhaudt and Trombley say this group of nurses made them all feel safe, relaxed and secure. The nurses spoke passionately about providing comfort for their mother, and they kept the sisters informed of all changes while answering any questions they had. Throughout their time in the hospital, the family and the nurses exchanged lots of hugs and stories of Amish dogs and hockey games. “It didn’t matter how busy they were; they made us feel like our mother was their only patient. Each of these women got to know our family and our mother. They know how to treat and take a personal and professional interest in their patient and family. They heard things that were not being said,” Osterhaudt and Trombley add.

On their last night in the hospital, Leavine and Laporte were on duty and continued to provide compassionate care for Cluette and her two daughters, doing everything they could to make sure the evening was as peaceful as possible. The nurses took extra time to ensure Cluette’s pillows were just right and tried to anticipate the sisters’ need for comfort and support.

Early the next morning, Cluette took her last breath with her daughters at her side. “But she wasn’t alone because Ashleigh and Jenn were with her. We want to thank them for making sure she wasn’t alone. And all four wonderful nurses deserve to be recognized for their great care and compassion. They are truly an asset to your hospital,” Osterhaudt and Trombley state.

“Ashleigh, Jennifer, Lizzie and Heather are part of an incredible team that amazes me daily with their dedication and empathy to our patients,” says Nicole Daniels, RN, nurse manager on R5 at CVPH. “They are not only skilled but consistently patient-centered. Caring for patients at the end of their lives or who are battling cancer like we do can be very difficult, emotional and complicated. Yet, our team fiercely advocates to provide the most comfortable transition for our end-of-life patients while supporting their loved ones. I am so proud and grateful to be able to acknowledge this group of nurses and the importance of the work they do every day.”

During the award presentation, Leavine, Laporte, Trudeau and Worley were all presented with a certificate commending them as an extraordinary team of nurses. They, like all honorees, also received a DAISY Award pin. And they received a plaque that will be hung in their honor at the hospital.

CVPH launched the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses in 2018 as a way to recognize and reward licensed nurses for making a meaningful difference in the lives of their patients. In 2023, the hospital added DAISY Awards to recognize nurse leaders and nurse-led teams. Nomination forms and boxes are located at each of the hospital’s main entrances and online at UVMHealth.org/CVPHDaisy. Patients, families, and colleagues may nominate nurses.  A committee reviews nominations and awards a deserving staff nurse each quarter, a nurse leader twice a year and a nurse-led team annually.

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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Great turnout for referendum vote

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Thibodeau allegedly planned to bring armed weapons to CVPH in Plattsburgh

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Building Trades program teaches home-building skills

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LEAPS merges all state after-school programs into a single entity

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Former employee arrested; work continues to provide care in a safe environment

PLATTSBURGH, NY (02/13/2024) — The following is a statement from the University of Vermont Health Network – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH) President Michelle LeBeau about today’s arrest of a former employee:

“This morning, Plattsburgh City Police Department and the New York State Police took into custody a former CVPH employee who was driving to our main campus with several guns in his possession. We believe that his intention was to use those guns here.

“Complicating this situation was a phone system failure (since resolved) which made notification by law enforcement difficult. We learned of the threat at 0900 as the arrest was being made which led to the decision not to lock down our facility.

“In many ways, we have been sheltered from the harsh realities of today’s troubled world. Today, that reality was made clear in a truly frightening way. I am grateful for the family member that informed law enforcement of this person’s intentions. As well as for the partnership of several county and state law enforcement agencies that came together seamlessly to protect us and those we care for.  I am forever grateful for this team of healthcare professionals who give so much to our community.

“The events of today highlight the complexities of providing health care in a safe environment. While there are no easy fixes, we will continue to plan, educate and implement change to support each other in this new reality.”

Duties/Responsibilities could fluctuate during seasons and can be discussed. The main goal is to assist the Youth Director in providing attention to detail and fluidity among programs.

Spring – organization of T-ball teams and help dispersing equipment (4-6 teams)
Summer – check-ins with summer activities as needed (schedule to be decided before season, the month of July)
Fall – organization on mini mites (6-8 teams) helps to disperse equipment for all levels.
Winter – Site coordinator for basketball games, help with skills assessment at the beginning of the season.
Attendance of Youth Commission meetings

Current pay is $3,000 per year.

Contact Recreation Director Kristen Marino at 518-320-2207 for more information.