The Peru Gazette

By John T. Ryan

The 2015 budget was not the only important subject matter at the Monday, November 10, 2014 Town Board Meeting.  Dog control, water-sewer rates, curbside parking in the hamlet, an enforceable park policy and walking trail fencing were also on the agenda.

As of Monday’s meeting the Town of Peru did not have an animal shelter under contract to receive animals detained by the Dog Control Officer. The Town had a contract with the Adirondack Humane Society, but when it ceased operation a few weeks ago another shelter had to be located. The Board immediately commenced contract negotiations with the Elmore SPCA; however, the Town Board and Elmore officials have not been able to agree on contract terms. Elmore SPCA officials proposed a contract that they say other towns accept, however, Peru Town Attorney Donald Biggs is of the opinion that the contract needs clarification regarding the town’s liability, an animal’s length of stay and the responsibility for incurred expenses. All the Town Board members expressed a desire to reach an agreement with Elmore SPCA, especially since it is a local shelter. The only alternative shelter at this time appears to be a facility located in Elizabethtown. Transporting animals to Elizabethtown would be expensive and time-consuming.

Peru’s water and sewer users will experience a 2015 rate increase. Supervisor Peter Glushko told the Gazette, “The water district has a very low fund balance. We’ve tried to keep rates down, but we’ve reached a point where they have to be increased.” A $40,000 increase in water receipts has been included in next year’s budget. The Board scheduled a workshop for November 17th at 6:30 p.m. at which time the they will determine the amount of the rate increase.

The Board has proposed an ordinance regulating the use of facilities at town parks and its trail system (Sullivan, Little Ausable, Laphams Mills and Heyworth/Mason). The ordinance includes many provisions including a prohibition on consumption of alcoholic beverages, a requirement that dogs be leashed at all times and a prohibition of any motorized vehicles on trails. A public hearing on the ordinance will be held on November 24th at 6:45 p.m. Click here to review proposed ordinance

Also on November 24^th, a 6:30 p.m. public hearing will be held on the extension of the water sewer district to I87 along the Bear Swamp Road. The district currently ends at the Dashnaw Road. If approved, the proposal would extend district boundaries. It would not authorize expending monies for laying pipe at this time. The Town Board believes that water-sewer availability would encourage business development. Supervisor Glushko siad that the owners of the Mobil station bordering I87 have indicated that they would like to hook up to the system.

Several Peru residents did not get their water-sewer bill payments to the Town Hall by the November 6^th close of business; hence the Town will apply a levy to their 2015 tax bills. The bills will include a 10% penalty. All bills must be received in the Town Hall by the last date for payment. A payment postmarked but not received on the due date is subject to the 10% penalty. The amount due totaled $59,429.25.

The Town may soon be purchasing signs to inform vehicle operators that curbside parking is not permitted adjacent to Peru’s roads and highways where “no parking” signs are in place, the only exception being for local merchants and delivery trucks which are permitted to park for temporary loading and unloading.  A few Elm Street and Jenkins Street residents have complained about cars being parking in front of their homes and sometimes two-way traffic is impossible on portions of Elm Street. Town plows also are unable to properly remove snow when vehicles are parked adjacent to curbs. The Board asked Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell to determine signage costs. Local Law No. 1 of 2003 could be enforced if signs are posted. Click here to review Parking Law of 2003

In a bit of good news, Code Enforcement Officer Frank Slycord reported that permits for twenty-three new single-family homes have been issued in 2014.

Please note: at 4:55 p.m. on November 13, 2014 the portion of this story covering the Parking Law of 2003 was clarified.