The Peru Gazette

By John T. Ryan

Dangerous intersections were primary topics of discussion at the Peru Town Board’s February 9^th meeting. Stop signs appear to be invisible to several local drivers, especially at the intersection of the Brand Hollow Road and Military Turnpike Extension. That relatively busy intersection has been the scene of numerous accidents including a recent collision that reportedly sent three people to the hospital. Monday night, Town Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell asked for permission to install a streetlight at the intersection. Farrell is hopeful that illuminating the intersection’s four stop signs would reduce stop-sign violations. Farrell said, “NYSEG will install a new street light as soon as possible. I don’t know their schedule, but I hope it can be installed within the next two weeks.”

The Route 22-Maiden Lane intersection near Stewart’s was on the Board’s agenda at the request of Michael Blaine who recently emailed Supervisor Peter Glushko to express his concern. Monday night Blaine told the Board that he’s amazed that a serious accident hasn’t occurred at the intersection especially when out of town travelers pass through. He said, “ I can’t believe there’s not an accident there every day. It’s been an ongoing issue. It’s not gotten any better…I’m sick of locking it up to avoid a wreck.” Board members discussed several possible remedies; however there was no consensus on the most effective remedy. NYS DOT has previously indicated it will not install a traffic light at the intersection. Supervisor Glushko and Highway Superintendent Farrell both recommended to Blaine that he write to DOT to express his concerns. Glushko said citizen letters seem to get more reaction than letters from town officials. Blaine said, “I will drop them a line!” It appeared to many in attendance that a serious or fatal accident must occur before DOT takes action.

In other actions or news the Board:

• Approved participation in the NYS Department of Environment Conservation’s Trees for Trails Programs. 275 deciduous trees at a total cost of $695 including tubes and stakes will be planted along the Town Walking Trail.
• Learned that the energy supplier transfer from NYSEG to Ambit Energy is at a standstill. Some entity or individual has placed a “hold” on the Town’s account. Supervisor Peter Glushko and Ambit officials are attempting to resolve the matter. All parties deny placing the hold. If a remedy is not found, the Town will refer the matter to the NYS Attorney General’s office.
• Approved a 2015 engineering contract with Engineering Ventures PC of Vermont. Several counselors had expressed frustration with Engineering Ventures’ inaccurate cost estimates on several projects and difficulty in contacting engineer Peter Gibbs. Monday the Board appeared to have resolved these issues, especially its communication with Gibbs who attended Monday’s meeting. Gibbs told the Board, “I appreciated the constructive criticism. We have our strengths, but we’re not everything. If there’s a project that is not in our wheelhouse we will refer it to another engineering firm. When there are things that are appropriate for us to handle, we’d love to be a part of it.”
• Approved a $7,650 bid from Jonathan Babbie for purchase of the Highway Department’s 2005 Chevrolet truck. The insurance company declared the truck a total loss as a result of theft-related damage. The Town sold the truck in an “as is” condition with no guarantees.
• Learned that a party desires to purchase the former log home sales office at 3085 Route 22 (adjacent to the Dollar Store). The property is zoned commercial, but the individual would like to use the building as a residence. Counselors will examine the zoning law and any associated legal issues.
• Postponed agenda items including a presentation by the Babbie Rural and Farm Learning Museum; renewal of two IT contracts and purchase of new computer equipment for the Town Court.
• Conducted a 50 minutes executive session to discuss the employment of an individual.

The meeting adjourned shortly after 9 p.m. Counselor Kregg Bruno and Town Clerk Kathy Flynn were excused from attending the meeting.