Farrell makes his first highway superintendent report
By John T. Ryan
The Peru Town Board conducted its annual organizational meeting on Monday, January 12, 2009 preceding its regular meeting. Annual contracts were renewed and committee chairs appointed for 2009. There were no significant changes from 2008.
Michael Farrell made his first report as Peru’s Highway Superintendent. He mentioned several measures he has taken to save money including skidding a disabled town truck to the town garage rather than hiring a third party tow truck which he said saved the town approximately $2,500; getting a price reduction on a parts order saving the town almost $500; and installing another heating zone in the highway garage. The portion of the garage where trucks are housed will be heated to 55 degrees while offices will be maintained at about 70 degrees. The truck area was being heated to higher temperatures. Farrell closed his remarks saying he welcomes calls from residents who have questions or concerns about the highways.
During the community input portion of the meeting resident Robert Cronin requested that the board clarify its employee mileage reimbursement policy. He asked, “Do you get paid for driving to work or not?” He also noted that the board had approved a $2,000 voucher for a new projector for the Planning and Zoning Department at its last meeting. Mentioning the tough economic times he said, “Just because you have $2,000 in your budget doesn’t mean you have to spend it.” Supervisor Donald Covel said equipment purchases are normally left up to department heads once the money is included in their budget. Cronin closed his remarks complimenting the board on the 2009 budget saying, “I want to commend the board for the job you did on the budget.”
Supervisor Covel said that the federal government may be making “bailout” monies for available town government. He said the town should be ready to utilize the monies in its water and sewer projects.
Dog control officer Kelly Allen submitted a report for the first time in many months. Allen stated that a monthly report would be submitted in the future.
Supervisor Covel emphasized that it is very important that the town highway department log its plowing mileage and especially when it plows county roads. The town is analyzing plowing costs and documentation is absolutely necessary. Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell assured Covel all mileage is being logged. Councilman Tom Powers again mentioned the possibility of having the county designate certain roads as “snow-belt” roads. The county reimburses towns an extra $300 a mile for roads so designated. The Union Road, the Peasleeville Road and the River Road were mentioned as possible “snow-belt” roads.
Confidential Secretary Pam Barber reported that the last town payroll was successfully processed by the town’s KVS computer program. Supervisor Covel will notify the outside provider that its services are no longer needed because the town will henceforth process its own payroll. KVS training has been scheduled for January 15 and 16.
Counselor Powers reported that Cal Mitchell is still interested in purchasing property adjacent to Sullivan Park. Negotiations will continue.
Counselor Powers reported that the town’s liability insurance policy will expire on April 1, 2009. The board voted to hire an insurance consultant to assess the town’s exact insurance needs. Once the assessment is accomplished, bids for liability insurance providers will be solicited from local insurance companies. Councilman Powers reported that last year’s inventory of the town highway equipment last resulted in approximately $950,000 in equipment being removed from the town’s inventory thereby reducing insurance costs.
On January 21, 2009, town hall employees will participate in a discussion with consultant William James regarding the creation and maintenance of a cooperative work environment.
Town intervention stopped the brush burning on the former Kirby property at the corner of Route 22 and the Military Turnpike. Councilman Brandy MacDonald checked with Clinton County Fire Control and found that the property owner Remillard Farms was not exempt from acquiring a permit. Counselors had believed that they were powerless because the property was being cleared for agricultural use. MacDonald said either Clinton County Fire Control or the Peru Codes Enforcement Officer must approve any significant burning. When Tom Remillard was notified, he immediately stopped the burning. Remillard Farms has hired another party to clear the field.
A New York State Comptroller training course for town officials will be held from April 1 – April 3 in Albany. Last year Supervisor Covel and Councilman Powers attended this training.
The $10,000 insurance settlement related to the Covel vs.Town Board lawsuit was received.
Supervisor Covel closed the meeting by summarizing some of the savings the board has realized by carefully analyzing its health and workman’s compensation insurance. The Peru Gazette has previously reported these savings.
The meeting adjourned at 7:58 p.m. making it one of the shortest meetings since Supervisor Covel has taken office
Posted: January 14th, 2009 under Town Board News.
Comment from Peter Glushko
Time January 29, 2009 at 7:01 am
I am writing in response to two issues raised by Mr. Cronin during the Town Board’s January 12, 2009 meeting. On behalf of the Town Board, I would like to thank Mr. Cronin for expressing his concerns on Town Budget issues. The Board is always interested in hearing the thoughts of our taxpayers.
The first issue Mr. Cronin addressed was one of the Town’s mileage reimbursement policy for employees. No one who works for the Town of Peru gets paid to drive to work. Employees do receive mileage reimbursement at a rate this year of 44 cents per mile for any use of a private vehicle for travel while performing Town business. This use of private vehicle is only authorized when no Town vehicle is available for use. The mileage reimbursement request is submitted by each claimant via the Town voucher system through which all Town vendors receive reimbursement. The voucher is reviewed during the last regular Town Board meeting of each month and if the request is considered valid by a majority of the Board, reimbursement is rendered. This mileage reimbursement procedure has been in place for the entire eleven years I have served as a Town Board member.
The Board did not approve a $2000 voucher for a new projector for the Planning and Zoning Department at a prior meeting. The Board did request a voucher be filled out to encumber the $2000 that was budgeted in 2008 for the Planning/Zoning Department. This voucher was to remind us that that amount was not to be automatically rolled over into the 2009 Unallocated Fund Balance but was instead to be held until a final purchase for 2008 was made. That purchase was to be the projector that had been specifically budgeted for in 2008 but, because of the changeover of accounting software, was delayed until the accuracy of the new system was verified. The projector‘s final cost to the Town was actually less than $1500, which was a considerable savings over the normal retail price of such a unit. Installation was performed by Town personnel, realizing even more savings. The unit has already been proven to be very effective in improving the clarity of information presentation during the monthly meeting of the Planning and Zoning Board of Appeals.
The Town Board does not condone or expect budget monies to be spent “just because it is in the budget.” Funding for budget line items is put into the annual budget only after justification is given to the Board for that funding by department heads and after a majority of the Board agrees to that funding.
Finally, it is important to note that the Code/Zoning Department actually received more in receipts than was budgeted and spent less than was budgeted for 2008. That is always a good situation for the Town and the taxpayers.
I hope I have provided a bit more clarity concerning these two issues raised by a concerned taxpayer. Again, I thank Mr. Cronin for his expressed concerns and for his compliment concerning the 2009 Town Budget.