The Peru Gazette

The presence of dogs may be a thing of the past at sporting events at Laphams Mills and Sullivan Parks. In response to a serious July 30^th dog-biting incident at Laphams Mills Park, the Peru Town Board directed Town Attorney Donald Biggs to draft a local law that would prohibit dogs, even on a leash, during sports events at town parks. Dogs would be permitted at other times. The Board will schedule a public hearing prior to enacting the local law. Counselor Donald McBrayer did not agree with this approach. McBrayer favored enforcing the existing dog ordinance that requires that dog owners always have their animal under control. Personal safety, especially child safety, was the counselors primary concern. Other counselors expressed the viewpoint that outright prohibition would be the best way to guarantee safety. The dog involved in the July 20^th incident was on a leash.

No matter what the Board decides to do Peru resident David Drollette will be involved. He is the Town of Peru’s Dog Control Officer effective August 12th. His pay rate will be the same as his predecessor Kelly Allen who resigned from the position – $817.00 per month. Drollette will be subject to a 90-day probationary period. He can be reached at 643-5076 (home) or 578-2217 (cell). Five individuals applied for the position.

It appears certain that Comcast will be replacing Charter Communications as Peru’s cable television provider. The Board passed a resolution approving the transfer of service from Charter to Comcast with the provision that Comcast will maintain all existing services. The Board does not have many options in the matter. The switch would include all of Charter’s Clinton County customers.

In other actions the Town Board:

Established 9 a.m. as the official opening hour for the Town Hall. Doors will be open to the public at that time.

Rescinded their July 28^th resolution to give Town Justice James Kirby a temporary 50% pay raise. Kirby has been handling the Town’s entire court workload since illness forced Judge Jack Lawliss from the bench. The Board still intends to give Kirby the pay increase, but the action will require a public hearing and passage of a local law. The public hearing is scheduled for August 25^th at 6:30 p.m.