The Peru Gazette

By John T. Ryan

There’s rarely a dull Peru Town Board meeting and the Monday, June 24, 2013 meeting was no exception.   The first 35 minutes of the meeting involved an alleged zoning law violation in one of Peru’s most beautiful neighborhoods on the shores of Lake Champlain. Coastland Drive residents Jay and Heidi Danis told the board that a neighbor who owns property, but does not reside in Peru, is renting his home by the week.  Heidi Danis stated, “We’ve tried to be good neighbors.”  She described some weeks as being like The Fourth of July. Danis alleged that the house is typically rented during June, July and August at about $4,000 a week. She related an incident saying that about 100 people attended a party featuring karaoke and loud music. When she complained she encountered a drunken, verbally abusive individual. Danis said she complained to Town of Peru Code Enforcement Officer Frank Slycord and did not receive any satisfaction. Danis said, “We’re here to appeal to the board.” She ended her presentation by presenting the board with documentation measuring about two inches thick.

Supervisor Peter Glushko told Danis that Code Enforcement Officer Slycord has responded to her complaints. He said Slycord talked to the property owner and was assured that the house was being rented on a monthly not a weekly basis. Glushko said monthly rental complies with the current zoning law.  Glushko assured Mrs. Danis that the town would enforce the law if the house is rented to more than one party during a given month.  The Code Enforcement Officer will be making regular visits to Coastland Drive.

A neighbor, Dr. Driss Hassam, was present to support the Danis’ complaint.  He told the board that he has lived on Coastland Drive since 1978. He said, “I take great pride in being a resident there. It’s a residential area.”  (Click here to see the home in question)

Water quality was also a subject of discussion. Supervisor Glushko asked Water Superintendent Greg Timmons to inform him whenever water appearance is degraded. Glushko said he received numerous recent phone calls regarding discolored water.  Glushko would publicize the problem whenever such a situation exists. Timmons said the water has been safe to drink.  Record rainfall caused the problem. As of June 25th, Peru has received approximately four inches more than the average rainfall during June (7 inches vs. 3 inches).

In other actions the board:

• Began the legal process required to borrow money and apply for grants to reconstruct and repair the Highway Department garage roof. The project is expected to cost not in excess of $360,000.
• Approved the annual swimming program contract with the YMCA in the amount of $3,500.
• Approved purchase of clay for the Laphams Mills ballpark in the amount of $4,231.
• Discussed a letter from Ed Schiffler complaining about speeding vehicles heading north on Main Street.  Supervisor Glushko said the NYS State Police have been notified of the situation several times, but there hasn’t been a resolution of the problem.