The Peru Gazette

By John T. Ryan

Children living in the Laflure Lane-Washington Street area should soon have a safer route to school. In action at its Monday, May 9th meeting, The Peru Town Board approved the solicitation of bids for a pedestrian crossing light on Route 22 in front of the Peru Elementary School. The flashing light will be pedestrian activated and sidewalks and crosswalks on the school campus will also be constructed or improved. The federal government’s Safe Routes to School Program grant will finance 100% of the project. The Town of Peru will maintain the light.

Town Supervisor Peter Glushko believes that an effort to unionize Town of Peru employees may be in the offing. Glushko informed the Town Board that the Civil Services Employees Association (CSEA) has submitted a Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request for a list of all employees, their salaries, time in grade and other information. Town of Peru employees are not currently unionized.

The Board is moving into the action stage on several long-discussed issues. The Board authorized issuance of a 30-year bond of up to $1,024,745 to finance construction of the 1.5-mile Little Ausable River Trail. The Town’s share of the cost should not exceed $261,000. State and federal grants will finance $763,745 (75%) of the total cost.

The Board authorized hiring AES Engineering Services to conduct a sewer district needs study at a cost not to exceed $24,400. The study will be 100% grant funded. No monies will be expended until the final grant is approved.

Professional Engineer Thomas P. LaBombard was hired to conduct a sewer study eastward along the Bear Swamp Road. LaBombard will develop a general plan, clarify district boundaries and estimate annual maintenance costs. The Board would like to extend water services to the vicinity of I-87 to encourage commercial development along this highly traveled highway.

On or about June 15^th repairs to the Highway Garage roof should commence. The Board authorized the expenditure of up to $148,360 to S&R Construction. Work is expected to be completed on or before November 1^st.

Grant writer Adele Douglas told the Board that the Town is eligible for a second Main Street Improvement Grant. The Town recently secured a $25,000 Main Street design grant. A committee has been formed to develop ideas and solicit resident opinion. A second $25,000 grant would assist in financing the committee’s recommended designs or improvements. The Board voted to apply for the grant.

The Board also approved an updated Town of Peru Freedom of Information Law (FOIL). Click Here To See Enacted FOIL

In other actions the Board:

• Discussed advertising for a Dog Control Officer (DCO) to succeed Kelly Allen who resigned effective June 1^st. The position will be parttime and civil service exempt. Supervisor Glushko said he has received phone calls from several people who are interested in applying for the position. Assistant Dog Control Officer Mark Hryck will be picking up dogs until a DCO is hired. He can be reached at 570-6557.
• Supervisor Glushko reported that plans for the July 20^th Peruvian Festival are moving ahead. Festival representatives will be visiting Peru on June 22^nd to coordinate the event’s details. Glushko said Peru residents would be asked to provide overnight accommodations for about twenty Peruvian visitors.
• During the community comment section of the meeting Holden Avenue resident Robert Manchester complimented the Highway Department for the paving job on Button Brook Parkway, Maiden Lane and Woodland Drive, although he expressed concern about certain asphalt transitions from the new pavement to the various driveways. Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell said his men would return to rectify any complaints.
• Another town resident complained about loud nighttime music in her neighborhood. She said she had called the State Police and Clinton County Sheriff’s Department. She claimed one state policeman stated there was nothing the he could do about loud noise. On another occasion the State Police visited the offending party who simply turned down the sound when the police approached and turned it back up when they left.
• Supervisor Glushko said the town does have a noise ordinance, which the New York State Police and the Clinton County Sheriff’s Department should be enforcing. Town Attorney Donald Biggs said he would write a letter informing police of the Town’s ordinance and asking for their cooperation. All parties recognized that both enforcement agencies are often busy enforcing higher priority laws.  Click here to view the Noise Ordinance in force