The Peru Gazette

By Donald McBrayer

The Town Board held their regular meeting on Monday, April 9th. Everyone was in attendance.

The Board discussed issues with the new Peru Town Court schedule.  The Court’s convening time was recently moved from Tuesday at 5PM to 2PM. In March, Judge James Kirby told the Board that a change in the Town of Plattsburgh’s court hours made it difficult for certain attorneys to represent clients in the Peru Court.  A problem with the Sheriff’s Department shift change was also mentioned during the course of the discussion. The schedule change was not brought before the Town Board before being implemented.

Town Councilor Kregg Bruno stated he does not support closing the Town Hall to public business at 2PM on Tuesdays. He suggested that court should convene at 3PM or be moved downstairs. Bruno noted that court goes as late as 7:30PM, and he did not see why a Sheriff’s Department shift change should affect the Peru Town Court.

A suggestion that people awaiting court not be allowed in the Town Hall was rejected because of the fact the Town Hall is open to the public. Town Attorney Don Biggs noted that he saw no reason why people who arrive early couldn’t be asked to leave until court is scheduled to begin. Town Councilor Jim Douglass noted the Board is willing to work with the Court and the Sheriff Department to find the best solution. Town Councilor Brandy McDonald told the Board he would contact Clinton County Sheriff Dave Favro to discuss the shift change and why it should affect the Court schedule. The Board decided to hold off making a decision until they have all the facts.

The Board then discussed the ongoing vandalism at the Little Ausable Park. W/S Superintendent Greg Timmons showed a slideshow of the ongoing damage. The slideshow contained  photos of a bench that was smashed, the wood from the bench floating in the pond, several shots of broken wood and  lattice on the gazebo, a broken picnic table and graffiti. Town Supervisor Pete Glushko noted that the State Police is frequently called, but by time they arrive the vandals are long gone. It was suggested the Town purchase a basic security system in the $500 range to monitor the park. After a bit of discussion, the Board decided to install a camera system at the park that will record activity 24-hours a day and be accessible online. The cameras will have night vision capability and can be controlled remotely via Internet access. Mr. Timmons said he could have the cameras up and running in a few days.

In Other Business the Board:
•    Set a Workshop and Public Hearing on the New Zoning Law for Thursday May 9th at 6:30PM.
•    Discussed a request from Verizon to install a microwave dish on the water tower. It is not certain if this request needs to go before the Planning Board before being accepted.
•    Set a workshop date for Thursday April 11th at 6:30PM to discuss a recent report from the Army Corps of Engineers claiming the Walking Trail may infringe on a protected wetland. The Board also passed a resolution to spend $1,750 on a required survey to determine if the area in question is in fact a wetland.
•    Passed a resolution adopting the revised zoning fee schedule.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:10PM.