The Peru Gazette

By John T. Ryan 

Peru –  Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell had bad news for counselors at the Peru Town Board’s April 25, 2019 meeting. A 4-foot diameter culvert at 81 Patent Road needs to be replaced becasue a 5 to 6 foot deep sink hole devoped in close proximity to the culvert. The Highway Department filled in the sinkhole and placed a 1” think steel plate over the damaged highway. Traffic is still moving. Farrell said he visits the scene twice daily. 

Farrell wasn’t able to state the culvert’s exact replacement cost, but a $50,000 figure was mentioned. A temporary repair was discussed, but Farrell said the culvert would still have to be replaced in a 1 to 5 year period. The water passing through the culvert is a Furnace Brook off-shoot. It’s a protected stream meaning both the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will have to approve the replacement plans and project.  

The Board approved utilizing the online site SportsEngine to conduct required background checks on all Youth Commission members, employees, coaches and volunteers. The checks are to be performed online. If an individual does not have a computer he or she is welcome to use a Town Hall computer.  The Town of Peru will reimburse individuals for the $18.50 per person cost. The total cost to the Town was not available. The Town of Plattsburgh has been using the SportsEngine program. 

Good news did come to light. Brandon Way and Teresa Larsen told the Board that they plan to operate the Rusty Anchor Restaurant on the Lake Shore Road. A January 8th early morning fire gutted the restaurant’s interior.  Way and Larsen said they have extensive restaurant experience and love the business. They will be renting the building which is currently being repaired. They hope to be operation by mid-summer. 

In other actions: 

A dangerous dog boarding contract with North Country Animal Control Center Inc. in Malone was approved.  Peru will pay an annual fee of $1,050 for the service. NYS Ag. and Markets requires such a contract. 

Water-Sewer Superintendent Courtney Tetrault said planning is progressing on the sewer upgrade project. Tetrault said he doesn’t want to integrate the sewer project with the delayed Main Street improvement project. He fears it would increase the sewer project’s cost. 

Counselor Jim Douglass reported that JCEO has hired a Peru resident to run the Town Hall Food Shelf.  She will be present at the Board’s next meeting. 

Dog Control Officer Dave Drollette took eight dogs into custody since the last Town Board meeting. 

Mike Farrell said his street sweeping crew is ready to move to neighborhoods outside the hamlet.