The Peru Gazette

By John T. Ryan

Ambit Energy will soon become the Town of Peru’s energy suppler. The Peru Town Board authorized a switch from NYSEG to Ambit Energy at its Monday, January 26, 2015 meeting. The Board expects to save a minimum of 2% annually compared to NYSEG, plus because the town has 15 or more accounts Ambit will not charge for electricity used at the town’s largest consuming facility – the water treatment plant. Counselor Brandy McDonald expressed the Board’s consensus opinion saying, “We have a lot more information than we did two years ago. I feel very comfortable with this decision now that we know more.” About two years ago an out of town Ambit representative made a less than impressive presentation to the Board. On December 8^th Ambit Business Consultant Colleen LaFountain, who resides in Peru, conducted an informative presentation for the Board.

The Board launched a second attempt to implement its $235,000 Safe Routes to School grant.  Last July, the Board rejected project bids when they came in $50,000 higher than estimates. At Monday’s meeting the Board authorized advertising for bids. The project includes a pedestrian activated crosswalk light across Route 22B and construction of on campus sidewalks. There also is an educational, in-school component, designed to encourage safe walking and biking to school. The New York State Department of Transportation and the Clinton County Health Department are assisting in the program implementation. The Health Department has agreed to provide bike racks at the school entrances.

The Town continues to expand sharing of services with other government and educational entities. The Peru Central school busses have been refueling at the Town Highway Garage for the past 18 months. The Peru Fire Department has followed suit. Town Attorney Donald Biggs will be drawing up a formal contract between the Town of Peru and the Peru Fire Department.

According to County Legislator Peter Keenan. Clinton County 2014 sales tax totaled about $36 million, $1.4 million less than collected in 2013. Peru will receive about $21,900 in sales tax revenue to apply to its 2015 general budget. The vast majority of sales tax collections reduce the county tax on individual taxpayers’ bills. Keenan makes periodic reports to the Town Board to keep the Board updated on Clinton County business.

Counselor Donald McBrayer, the Board Liaison to Town Court, reported that Peru’s two town justices are concerned about the penalties levied for violation of the Town’s Dog Control Law. Section 22 calls for misdemeanor charges and penalties of up to $1,000. Counselor McBrayer said the judges are concerned about having to charge a violator with a misdemeanor and enforcement costs to the town, which could include having to pay for legal representation for an indigent defendant. The Board will discuss Section 22 at its Wednesday, January 28^th 6:30 p.m. workshop. Counselor Donald McBrayer also reported that he completed the state mandated audit of Peru Town Court. He stated, “That office runs a tight ship. The office files were up to date and were extremely well organized.

Repairs to the historic Lyon Street Schoolhouse should begin as soon as weather permits. The Board accepted the $7,600 bid proposal received from Donald Bell. Town Historian Ron Allen told the Board that he talked to Bell’s references and they have been very satisfied with his work. Bell will level the floor, install a 6’x6’ beam in the center of the floor and repair the stone foundation. Two bids were received for the project. Bell submitted the low bid.

The Board approved the reappointment of Richard Williams as Chairman and Ben Wright as Vice-Chairman of the Planning Board and Robin Bashaw as Chairman and James Falvo as Vice-Chairman of the Zoning Board.

Bids will be solicited for the Highway Department’s 2005 pick-up with a bid opening on February 9^th at 10 a.m. The truck sustained serious damage after being stolen several months ago. The Highway Department performed repairs before determining that engine repairs would cost more than the truck is worth. The insurance company declared the vehicle a total loss.

Judge James Kirby told the Board he would like to get professional technical advice prior to purchasing a computer server for the Town Court office. Debbie Flemming, the town’s contract technology provider, will be contacted.

Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell told the Board that a large group of town officials should go to Albany on March 4^th to lobby for Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) money for the Highway Department. CHIPS monies help finance the highway-paving program.

Water-Sewer Superintendent Greg Timmons told the Board that “Town of Peru” decals have been applied to all of his department’s vehicles.