The Peru Gazette

By John T. Ryan

Town Supervisor Peter Glushko had good news for Town Board members at the Monday, April 28^th Board meeting. The Town’s accountants finally completed their analysis of the Town’s accounting records. The general fund balance was determined to be $765,000, an increase of $115,000. As a result the Town will not have to borrow to pay for the $95,800 Town Hall front step project. Glushko said all the required annual financial reports have been filed with the New York State Comptroller’s office.

Glushko said he would have a bonding resolution for four other projects (Walking Trail -$210,400, Highway Garage Roof Repair, Fuller Road Culvert – $301,225 and Hurricane Irene related repairs – $330,336) ready for the Board’s May 12^th meeting. On Thursday, May 1st at 10 AM bids will be opened for the Highway Department garage roof project. Engineers have increased the cost estimate for that project to $227,000.

Microsoft’s decision to stop supporting the XP computer operating system is costing the Town. One new laptop computer was purchased this week, two older desktop computers will be replaced and one desktop operating system will be upgraded. Counselor Donald McBrayer recommended upgrading to the Windows 7 system.

The Board discussed holiday pay and comp time for Town Highway Department employees. Highway Department employees work a 10-hour, 4-day week during the summer months. On holidays such as July 4^th and Memorial Day they receive 8 hours pay and two hours comp time. Supervisor Glushko asked the Board to consider paying the employees for 10 hours rather than paying two hours comp time. Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell said he wasn’t aware that comp time was an issue. Counselors Jim Douglas, Kregg Bruno and Don McBrayer said they believed that comp time was appropriate since to the best of their knowledge comp time was mentioned in the Employee Handbook. The current policy was not changed.

Other news/actions:

• A group known as The International Peruvian Festival will be conducting a July 20^th event celebrating Peru, New York’s connection to Peru, S.A. The Peru Gazette will have a feature story on this event.
• Construction on the Fuller Road culvert project began on April 28^th with a June 30 completion date.
• Construction on the Walking Trail will begin on April 30^th with an October 31^st completion date.
• The Town Hall front step project will begin on May 27^th and should be completed by July.
• Grant Writer Liz Tedford informed the Board that federal grant monies are available for water and sewer system upgrades. Application must be made by June 16^th.
• Supervisor Glushko expressed concern about the number of unlicensed dogs in the Town. He said that whenever he receives a call about an uncontrolled dog, the offending dog is typically unlicensed. Glushko asked Town Clerk Kathy Flynn to prepare a comprehensive database of all licensed dogs. A license issued in another town is not valid for a dog residing in Peru.

The Board adjourned to an Executive Session for approximately 30 minutes to discuss an employee’s work history.

The meeting adjourned at 9:05 PM.