The Peru Gazette

By John T. Ryan

Money saving measures, open burning and sidewalk clearing were the most important items discussed or acted on at the Peru Town Board’s December 8th regular meeting. The council also conducted a brief executive session to discussion personnel matters and the Charter Communications contract.

The board’s actions, reports and discussions included the following:

1. Voted to change the town’s worker’s compensation insurance carrier from PERMA to the New York State Municipal Workers Compensation Alliance. The change should save the town approximately $27,000 in 2009 reducing the total cost from $65,000 under PERMA to $37,963 under the Alliance. The council held previous workshops on the issue and Supervisor Donald Covel and Counselor Tom Powers attended an information meeting in Albany. Counselor Brandy McDonald also contacted other communities to inquire regarding their experience with the various insurance carriers. The board believes that the town will receive good service at reduced cost.

2. Discussed changing retiree health insurance carriers. A change to Humana Health Insurance might save the town approximately $20,000 annually. The counselors will discuss the issue at a December 15th workshop. The town paid $61,000 in 2008 for the health insurance for nine current retirees.

3. Approved a $1,000 change order for consultant work on the Heyworth/Mason Park project (This is the area around the Heyworth/Mason building not the walking trail). The LA Group will be consulting with the state regarding historical artifacts found on the property. The $1,000 was transferred into the appropriate account to fund this work. It will not cost the town additional dollars. The park project will cost $280,000 with one-half of that amount funded by grants. The town is contributing two parcels of land valued at $80,000 as part of its $140,000 share. Town employee labor and equipment can be counted as part of the remaining part of the town’s share ($60,000).

4. Counselor Tom Powers reported regarding the ongoing negotiations on the sale of town property to Gary Bertrand and Cal Mitchell. The council appeared to be divided on the sale of property to Bertrand (The Planning Board required Bertrand to add additional parking adjacent to his Main Street Building). There are conservation easements on the property related to the Heyworth/Mason Park grant approvals. A major sewer line also passes through the property. Supervisor Donald Covel said that he favors giving Bertrand permission to use the property rather than selling the property. Discussions will continue.

Cal Mitchell has expressed interest in purchasing property adjacent to Sullivan Park. The town his given Mitchell a price but he has not responded to date. Powers will contact Mitchell.

5. The council will schedule a workshop with Charter Communications regarding the new Charter-Town contract.

6. Counselor Powers stated that he wants to pursue an open burning law in the town. He thought the law might closely resemble the recently passed outdoor wood boiler law. Counselor Peter Glushko said that the land owned by the town on the Barney Downs Road opposite the convenience station should be opened for dumping leaves, etc., if any open burning ban is enacted. The Barney Downs area might require town employee supervision.

Counselor Powers also said that he would also be proposing a law that would prohibit the piling of snow on town sidewalks. He said a few individuals and businesses persist in blocking sidewalks with their plowed snow.

7. Counselor Powers asked Supervisor Covel if he had completed the report that the board had requested several weeks ago on Covel’s retirement reporting. Powers wants to ensure that Covel is claiming part-time employee status. If he claimed full-time status he would be eligible for town-paid health care benefits when he leaves town employment. Covel said it has slipped his mind and that Powers was always welcome to review the records in the town hall. Powers said he would do so on Tuesday, December 9th.

8. Counselor Glushko said the open position on the Peru Town Zoning Board would be advertised in the near future.

9. Counselor McDonald thanked Adele Douglas for all her hard work at the Aubuchon’s walking trail fund-raiser last weekend. Douglas has not learned now much money was raised.

10. Thirteen individuals have submitted applications for the open confidential secretary position. Interviews were scheduled to begin on Tuesday, December 9th.

11. Any changes to the Outdoor Boiler Law apparently will not happen. Some counselors want minor changes, but the issue drags on from meeting to meeting with no one following through on any action.