The Peru Gazette

Peru Gazette file photo

By John T. Ryan

The Peru Town Board’s meeting of July 25, 2011 was brief but eventful. The Board discussed transferring $125,000 from the town’s unappropriated fund balance to the highway department’s fuel, parts and capital accounts. Clearing last winter’s heavy snow and repairing damage caused by spring and early summer flooding resulted in a budget shortfall. The fund transfer is expected to be voted on at the board’s next meeting. The town may still receive FEMA flood repair funds.  This would help restore the unappropriated fund balance.

Responding to a request for financial support from the Babbie Rural and Farm Learning Museum, the Board approved a donation of $1,200 to the museum. Roger Bonner, newly named to the museum’s board, addressed the Board at its June 27th meeting. He explained that the museum must have broad community support in order to fund its $25,000 annual budget. Before voting Council member Susan Polhemus asked if donating to the museum might trigger donations from several groups.  She was concerned about setting a precedent. Town Attorney Donald Biggs said towns often support museums and libraries. After discussion, Polhemus and the rest of the Board voted to fund the contribution.

Main Street residents Tom Powers and Michael Settevendemio addressed the board regarding serious sewage problems on their properties. Powers said his house has experienced several sewage back-up problems since the early 1980’s.   He claimed he reported three recent incidents to Water and Sewer Department Superintendent Greg Timmons and the department only responding to the first incident. On one occasion, 1.5 inches of sewage flooded his basement floor. Powers said that in July the sewer department jet-blasted a sewer line hoping to clear an obstruction and this resulted in sewage flying from his first floor toilet and hitting the ceiling. Mike Settevendemio said he had similar basement sewage flooding.  On the first occasion, not realizing the town sewer line was causing the problem, he called a plumber. The town later reimbursed him in the amount of $106. He said a subsequent overflow washed mortar from his basement wall. He asked the board to consider reimbursing him for this damage.

On July 25^th, Water and Sewer Department Superintendent Greg Timmons told the Gazette that the sewer pipe causing the problems dates to the 1920’s.  An engineering firm is drawing up plans, bids will be sought and installation of a new pipe should begin in September. The line will run from behind the Town Hall to North Bend Street. Timmons said, “Considering all that has to be done, the project is moving along rapidly.”  Timmons did not recall receiving three calls from Tom Powers. He said his men cleaned up Power’s basement on one occasion and he recalls Powers telling him that a clean-up following another incident was not necessary.

Powers also complained about water runoff from the Town Hall encroaching on his property.  He said the town had placed a dirt hill and six feet of pavement on his property. He closed his comments saying, “ I want it removed and I don’t mean in September.”