The Peru Gazette

By John T. Ryan (listen to this meeting)

Peru’s wave of home and business break-ins dominated much of the discussion at the December 22, 2011 Town Board meeting. Donald Tourville of Locust Drive asked for the board’s backing in forming a neighborhood watch program. Former Board member Tom Powers was also concerned about possible violence. He said, “There have been at least five break-ins within 200 yards of where we are sitting. Some eighty-year-olds are packing pistols. Someone’s going to get hurt. This may not end good.”  The Town Hall, the St. Augustine’s maintenance garage, the library and the Fellowship Center have all been burglarized. After discussion, Supervisor Peter Glushko responded promising to immediately contact the Clinton County Sheriff’s Department to ask for neighborhood watch training. Referring to this week’s break-in at the Peru Town Hall Glushko said, “It’s touched us personally. It’s not nice. I don’t like it.”

The Board also discussed upgrading Town Hall security. Supervisor Glushko wants metal doors and casings wherever computers or sensitive documents are located.  A computer security company will be also contacted to explore installation of a security system.

Supervisor Glushko clarified his view of  town policy with regard to mailboxes damaged by town snowplows saying that the town should be sensitive if it can be ascertained that a mailbox was damaged by an act of town negligence.

Responding to an information packet received from former Town Supervisor Donald Covel, the Board appeared to be in agreement that Covel is not eligible for town-paid health insurance. Covel believes that as a retiree he is eligible for paid health insurance based on an earlier board practice of continuing coverage for senior employees. Addressing the board Covel referred to a 1990 action when the board reduced benefits for junior employees but grandfathered existing benefits for senior employees. Supervisor Glushko said the employees Covel referred to were fulltime, not part-time employees. He stated, “A 1992 decision does not bind this board.” Glushko pointed to a 2008/2009 town board resolution in which the board voted to exclude part-time employees from health insurance coverage.  He added, “We can no longer afford to pay 100% of health coverage.”  Covel also contends that he qualified as a fulltime employee. Glushko responded that Covel might have qualified as being fulltime for New York State retirement purposes; however, state retirement regulations are differentiated from town health insurance coverage policy.

In other board news/actions:

• Water Superintendent Greg Timmons reported that the planned water tank upgrade and repair project does have to go out to bid. He hopes to have the bids prepared for advertising in January.

• Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell reported that, with the exception of the asphalt top-coating, Hurricane Irene road repairs have been completed. Top-coating will be done as soon as weather permits.

• H. R. Consultants has been hired to update the employee handbook, especially as it applies to employee benefits. Apparently items such as overtime need to be clarified. A meeting with consultant Nanette Hatch is tentatively scheduled for January 12, 2012.

• The Board approved Planning Board recommendations for leadership positions. Richard Williams was approved as Chairman and Ben Wright as Vice-Chairman.  The resignation of board member Dale Holderman was accepted and Kara McBrayer will move up to the board from the alternate position.

• Greg Timmons will coordinate erection of a new pole and light at Little AuSable River Park.  Residents use the pond ice for nighttime hockey and the hill is used for sledding.  The town ordinance setting hours of park use at dawn to dusk will have to be amended.

• Residents have approached Supervisor Glushko about extending Charter cable service to several town roads. Town Attorney Donald Biggs will speak to the cable company when he receives specific addresses from Supervisor Glushko.

• The Board will write a letter to the Peru Fire Department expressing thanks for decorating the three fire trucks and driving them through neighborhoods on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays during December.  The trucks and horns thrill Peru children when they pass through neighborhoods.

• Scheduled the annual Town Board organizational meeting for January 9, 2012 at 6:30 p.m.

• Counselor Kregg Bruno asked the board to seek bids on garbage pick-up. The town is paying Casella $800 monthly for the service and Bruno wants to ensure that the town is getting the lowest possible price.

• Highway Supervisor Farrell is completing the specifications for the purchase of a new excavator. He hopes to have them ready for the Board’s January 30^th meeting.

• Town Supervisor Glushko complimented Greg Timmons and Michael Farrell for good communications with town residents.