The Peru Gazette

By John T. Ryan

Two Peru residents addressed the Peru Town Board at its Monday, April 22, 2013 meeting.  Jane Alexander told the Board that she was upset with a town judge’s decision to require leashing and close supervision of a dog he deemed to be dangerous.  “I think that’s wholly inadequate. We just can’t have that,” Alexander told the Board. Counselor Kregg Bruno told Alexander that the board had no authority over the town court and that the decision was solely up to the court.  During the course of the meeting Supervisor Peter Glushko emphatically stated that there will be no more warnings and that tickets would be issued whenever any dog is discovered running free.  All dogs must either be confined or restrained.  Glushko said he is invoking a zero tolerance policy on this issue.

On April 16^th a pit-bull mix owned by James Duval of Peru attacked and killed a 7-pound poodle owned by Terri Cioppa of Peru. Cioppa was walking her dog on the sidewalk in front of the Peru Community Church’s Fellowship Center when the incident occurred. The pit-bull mix had been running loose until a lady who had dropped her son off at the Fellowship Center saw the dog and restrained it with a jump rope. The Dog Control Officer was on route when the pit-bull saw the poodle, broke free and attacked the poodle.

In an April 22^nd hearing Judge James Kirby deemed the offending dog to be dangerous and ordered that it be neutered if necessary, restrained on a leash and supervised by an adult over 21 years of age or older whenever on public premises. An April 25^th Press Republican interview with Supervisor Peter Glushko reported that Kirby could have invoked more punitive penalties including evaluation of the animal by a behavioral specialist or requiring muzzling of the animal when in public. Permanent confinement or euthanasia can be ordered if a similar incident occurs within a two-year period.

Resident Howard Plumadore presented the board with a petition requesting that the speed limit be lowered on the Brand Hollow Road between the Military Turnpike and Route 22.  He stated that 90% of the road’s residents had signed the petition. Plumadore said speeding vehicles, especially motorcycles, are a hazard to everyone on the road – particularly children. Supervisor Glushko received the petition and said it would be forwarded to the NYS Department of Transportation for consideration. It is also possible that the NYS Legislature may have recently decided to delegate the setting of speed limits to town governments. That avenue will also be explored.

Counselor Brandy McDonald reported that NYSEG is very interested in extending natural gas lines to more town residents including those who reside up to six miles from the hamlet.  He said all residents who do not currently have access to natural gas should have received a NYSEG Solutions mailing within the past few days. McDonald said if 10% respond that they are interested in gas installation, NYSEG would improve service to the entire town.

Following sporadic discussion over many months, the board voted to upgrade the town hall security system. Greg Timmons told the board that the town court was eligible for grant assistance. The cost to purchase and install cameras inside and outside the town hall would be $6481.73 with $2,448.54 of that cost being paid by town court grants. The Board voted unanimously to approve the purchase.

The board voted to fertilize and hydro seed sections of the Heyworth-Mason Park at a cost not to exceed $750. The Clinton County Soil and Conservation Service will perform the work.

Kristin Marino was appointed as Assistant Recreation Director at a cost of $1,500 for seasonal employment.

Counselor Brandy McDonald told the board he is still trying to determine why the Peru Town Court’s hours had to be changed. The court recently changed its start time from 5 PM to 2 PM. The board was told that the district attorney and/or the sheriff had requested the change. McDonald said he checked with both offices and they denied requesting any change. McDonald said he would pursue the issue until he discovers why the court changed its hours. The court did not inform the board prior to making the change in hours.

The board adjourned into Executive Session for 45 minutes to discuss litigation.

The meeting adjourned at 9 PM.