The Peru Gazette

By John T. Ryan

Sidewalk plowing, insurance coverage, open burning and equipment purchases highlighted the Peru Town Board’s January 26, 2009 meeting. 

During the public comment period resident Greg Cassidy complained that several sidewalks are not being plowed. He mentioned sidewalks along the Bear Swamp Road and said some businesses are going so far as to pile snow on the sidewalks. Several elderly residents are also unable to clear sidewalks on their property. Town Highway Superintendent Mike Farrell said that he had been discussing this issue with Water and Sewer Superintendent Greg Timmons. Farrell was hopeful that some remedy would be found, though a remedy probably will not be found this winter.

Code Enforcement Officer Paul Blaine responded to comments made to the board at its January 12^th meeting by resident Robert Cronin. Cronin asked if spending $2,000 on a projector for Planning and Zoning was necessary in these tight budget times and said that just because money is budgeted does not mean it has to be spent. Blaine said the projector actually cost $830 and that Greg Timmons had installed it on a Saturday at no cost to the town. He said the purchase had been discussed with the town board when the 2008 budget was formulated and the purchase had been planned for two years. He said the projector would benefit both the Zoning and Planning Boards. Blaine closed saying that in 2008 his department finished the year 35% under budget in expenses and 30% over budget in revenues.

In other actions/reports:

• Counselor Tom Powers reminded the board of the Comprehensive Planning Committee’s recommendation that the town consider an open burning law. The board voted to hold an open burning law workshop on February 2, 2009 at 6:30 p.m.
• Resident Ed Schiffler complimented Highway Superintendent Mike Farrell for Farrell’s presentation at the board’s January 12^th meeting and said such presentations will help residents be more aware of what is going on in the town.
• Supervisor Donald Covel said that he has been speaking with New York State Retirement officials regarding the reporting requirements for elected and appointed town officials. He said he has passed out the information to the concerned officials. During the month of February all elected and appointed officials will record the number of hours they work on town business. Counselor Peter Glushko said the hours worked play a role in determining who participates in the state retirement system though the town board makes the final decision. He said, “We determine what we want to be billed for.”
• Supervisor Covel reminded the Board about the necessity of getting meeting agenda items into the town office no later than the Wednesday preceding the meeting.  Covel will have the agenda published no later than Friday.
• Supervisor Covel said that the state is cutting CHIPS monies (monies the town uses for highway paving) by $75,000 and the town will have to make necessary adjustments. Highway Superintend Farrell clarified Covel’s remarks saying cuts have been proposed, but the final CHIPS figure has not been determined. The town will closely watch developments.
•  Supervisor Covel said that water department revenues are $75,000 less than projected.  Water Superintendent Greg Timmons later told the Peru Gazette that water revenues are coming in as expected. All the receipts had not been entered into the town accounting system when Covel reviewed the figures.
• Counselor Tom Powers reported that he had met with three vendors regarding the town’s property-liability insurance.  The board voted to hold a March 2, 2009 workshop at which time the Northern Insuring Agency, Latremore’s Insurance, Langley Insurance and the Clark Forster Agency will make coverage proposals. The town has over $17 million of property to insure. Northern Insuring is the town’s current vendor. At its January 12th meeting the board passed a resolution to solicit bids from three outside contract writers/consultants rather than vendors. Powers argued strongly against hiring a consultant.  Supervisor Covel argued that a consultant could evaluate the town’s specific needs and draw up exact specifications for bidding. Powers now states that he did not understand that the motion(which he voted in favor of) called for soliciting consultants/contract writers rather than vendors.  At the time the motion was made several of the counselors and the town attorney were speaking and it was very difficult to understand the motion.
• Resident Ron Allen closed the meeting with a suggestion that the town supervisor limit public comments to five minutes in duration.  Comments from some residents sometimes last 10 to 15 minutes and have often been stated at several previous meetings.