The Peru Gazette

By John T. Ryan

The Town Board meeting of September 24, 2012 included good news for residents residing on the Peasleeville Rd. and Strackville Rd. Supervisor Peter Glushko said that Charter Communications has notified the town that it will be installing cable on both roads. Glushko is also working to acquire grant monies to “fill other holes in the coverage.”  The grants would fund wireless technology.

The Town of Peru will be erecting an LED sign at the Little Ausable River Park.  Town counselors voted to purchase the sign at a cost of $7,140 at its Monday meeting. Counselor Kregg Bruno was the only counselor voting against the purchase.Town Supervisor Peter Glushko and other counselors have indicated that signs are an important means of transmitting emergency and community event information to town residents.  The new sign will also save town personnel time. Water Superintendent Greg Timmons said letters on the current sign are either damaged or missing.

The Board was ready to purchase two LED signs at its September 10^th meeting (one to be placed in front of the Town Hall and the other at Little Ausable River Park). Three residents voiced opposition to the signs saying LED signs are not compatible with the Town Hall neighborhood, the town’s comprehensive plan or the pending zoning ordinance. One resident urged spending restraint in these recessionary times. Responding to the zoning concern, Supervisor Glushko said his research has established that town governments are not subject to town zoning laws and regulations.  The sign issue had been reported in the Peru Gazette and on Facebook. While several people expressed online disagreement with purchasing any LED signs, no one attending Monday’s meeting voiced any opposition.

Supervisor Glushko also addressed recent Press Republican “Cheers and Jeers’ editorials. The newspaper cheered the town for improvements at Heyworth/Mason Park, but it chastised the town for alleged undesirable conditions at Little Ausable River Park citing problems such as trash and green film on the pond. Supervisor Glushko said any such problems were very short term and have been corrected. He urged anyone who is not happy with conditions at any town facility to voice their concern with him before going to the media. He proposed posting user rules at all town parks.

Glushko also reacted to media coverage of Peru’s recent state audit. He said almost all the problems were been corrected by the time the audit was published. He emphasized, “The bookkeeping has been fixed.”

In other Town Council actions or news:

• Grant writer Adele Douglas and Peru Primary teacher Nancy Thompson addressed the Board regarding the National Safe Routes to School Program. The Town of Peru and the Peru School District are cooperating to implement the program and grant funding has been received.  Thompson brought several promotional items which she uses to promote the program at Peru Central.  A “Walk to School Day” is being planned. Adele Douglas said that grants may also be available to purchase an electronic crosswalk sign for Route 22B. It would assist parents and children in the LaFleur Lane-Washington Street area.  Methods of improving pedestrian and bicycle routes on the Peru campus are also being explored.
• Town engineers have requested a $28,000 fee for engineering a new town highway garage roof steel beam supported. $6,000 has been spent to date.  The engineers have estimated that it will cost $280,000 to replace the roof.  Counselor Kregg Bruno questioned the need to replace the existing wood roof support system. He believes that there may be cheaper alternatives. The Board delayed approving additional engineering funding until its next meeting.  Another engineer’s opinion will be sought.
• Approximately 50 Peru water users have not paid their water bills. Their unpaid balance will be referred to Clinton County for inclusion on their 2013 property tax bills. Bills totaling $32,144 have not been paid.
• The Board authorized the purchase of a Lake to Locks Passage community information kiosk at a cost of $600.  It has not been determined where the kiosk will be placed. Kiosk sample
• Feral cats have been sighted in the Brown Trailer Court on Pleasant Street.
• The owner of a dilapidated property on School Street has been notified in writing to clean up the property. He has until October 17^th to respond to a town letter. If appropriate steps are not taken, a hearing will be scheduled and the property may be demolished.
• Adele Douglas indicated that the Comprehensive Planning Committee will be meeting next week. Changes to the proposed agricultural overlay will be reviewed and scheduling another public hearing will be discussed. Several local farmers objected to the plan’s restrictions on the future use of their land.
• Plans are progressing to institute eminent domain proceedings on property owned by Thomas Powers. The property was to be part of the North Bend Street Sewer Project.  It will have to be appraised and a monetary offer will be made to Powers. Water/Sewer Superintendent Greg Timmons said the town has spent at least $10,000 on this property issue and more expenses will follow.
• The town water tank is being painted inside and out. It should be back online no later than October 2^nd. The Water System Improvement Project work at the reservoir is progressing.