The Peru Gazette

The Town of Peru has been awarded grants totaling $200,000 to be used to enhance its central area or core. $25,000 was awarded last summer and a $175,000 grant was announced at the Town Board’s December 22, 2014 meeting. The New York State Department of State awarded the grants through its Local Waterfront Revitalization Program.

The Town Board formed a Main Street Plan Committee last summer when the $25,000 grant was received. Grant Writer Adele Douglas explained, “The idea started as a means of improving the Sullivan Park and Heyworth/Mason ends of the Walking Trail. Improving sidewalks and installing bike paths have been mentioned as possible projects.” Councilman Donald McBrayer, Liaison to the committee stated, “The Board are not looking to take on an additional project that will cost us money. The money we spent in 2014 on the Town Hall’s entrance will be counted as the Town’s 20% share of the $175,000 grant.” Ideas have been sought from Main Street and Bear Swamp Road businesses. A consultant will be hired and the project scope will be planned in 2015. Implementation will take place in 2016.

It appears that the Peru Town Court will not be moving downstairs in the Town Hall or to Glenwood Plaza. The Board seems to be inclined to close the Town Hall to public business during court sessions. The Glenwood Plaza location needs extensive repairs and the cost of renovating the Town Hall’s downstairs area would be $10,000 or more. Councilman Donald McBrayer is extremely reluctant to disrupt Town Historian Ron Allen’s operations in the lower level. He explained, “I think the cost of moving the town historian upstairs would be too high.” Councilman Kregg Bruno said, “The taxpayers I’ve spoken to are not happy over having to spend money on this.” Supervisor Glushko said, “I favor shutting down the Town Hall at 1 p.m. so the court can convene at that time.”

Signing a 2015 dog shelter contract with Elmore SPCA remains in limbo. Elmore officials have not submitted a revised contract proposal. Supervisor Glushko said, “After Christmas we’ll be talking with the North Country SPCA in Elizabethtown about extending our contract. We will have a home for dogs no matter what.” Counselors Donald McBrayer and Jim Douglass said they would contact Elmore SPCA officials prior to the Board’s next meeting. All the Board members have expressed a desire to sign a contract with the local facility. Transporting dogs to Elizabethtown is costly and the boarding costs are higher than they would be in Peru.

The Board unanimously approved water and sewer rate increases effective January 1, 2015.

The Board approved several resolutions extending the water and sewer district boundaries adjacent to the Bear Swamp Road from the Dashnaw Road to I87.